Earlier today, Bruce Nolan wrote a piece that explained whether he believed the Buffalo Bills are better now than they were one year ago today. You should read it. It’s good. And thought-provoking.
And it certainly provoked a thought with me — what was the “best” Bills team in the Sean McDermott era? This can be a fun discussion in the comments, perfect for the start of June.
And let’s start in 2020, even though by then McDermott had orchestrated the breaking of the 17-season playoff drought, and made
the playoffs in 2019 with second-year quarterback Josh Allen.
Not that you necessarily need a reminder, but for article sake, let’s describe each iteration with a few sentences for anyone who needs their memory jogged:
2020 — Allen full-scale breakout. Got an MVP vote at season’s end. Stefon Diggs led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards. Team went 13-3. Won first AFC East title since 1995. Beat Colts then Ravens in playoffs before losing to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, 38-24.
2021 — Lost season opener to Steelers, rattled off four in a row after that. Had weird losses (9-6 to Urban Meyer Jaguars), at home to Colts (41-15), and in windstorm to Patriots (14-10). Won final four entering playoffs. Perfect Game vs. New England followed by 13 Seconds.
2022 — Scored 72 points in two wins to begin the season, including Week 1 over reigning Super Bowl champion Rams. Allen injures elbow in loss at Jets after 6-1 start. Vikings OT loss was next game. Six-straight wins. Damar Hamlin game. Nyheim Hines return scores in win over Patriots to close the regular season. Sneak past Dolphins in wild-card round. Smoked by Bengals in snow at home in divisional round. Diggs sideline tirade directed at Allen.
2023 — Turnovers galore on MNF in OT loss to Jets in Week 1. Three-straight wins before ugly loss in London to Jaguars (that was costly on injury front). Offense fell into lull. Last-second home loss to Broncos in prime time. Ken Dorsey fired. Won six of last seven entering playoffs. Allen fake-slide TD vs. Steelers in playoffs. Then Wide Right II vs. Chiefs.
2024 — Everybody Eats. Josh Allen MVP. Franchise-record 525 points in regular season. Back-to-back early losses to Ravens and Texans. Seven-straight victories after that. Bananas 44-42 loss to Rams in Los Angeles then 48-42 win in Detroit against Lions immediately afterward. Big win over Broncos in wild-card round, narrow victory over Ravens in divisional, heavyweight duel with Chiefs ends in another AFC Championship Game loss, 32-29.
2025 — Epic Week 1 comeback against Ravens. Midway through the year, chasing Patriots for AFC East lead. Blown out in Miami. Won six of eight after that, including another ridiculous comeback, this time in New England. Second-place finish in the division. Wild-card thriller against Jaguars. Outrageous loss in Denver to Broncos in divisional round.
Which club do you think was best?
