Back in April, I gave my game-by-game predictions for the Bills this season. I anticipated a 9-7 record then, but after watching the Bills' improved quarterback play this August, I'll give them a one-game bump in my revised predictions:
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
If I'm the Bills, I would have concern that the offense can jell quickly enough to beat one of the AFC's two best teams last season. LeSean McCoy will be returning from a hamstring injury and Tyrod Taylor will be adjusting to three receivers -- Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and Percy Harvin -- who all missed considerable time this preseason because of injuries. The Bills could get off to a slow start, but their defense will keep it close. Colts 21, Bills 14. Record 0-1.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, New England, 1 p.m.
Tom Brady will be available for this game after his four-game suspension was vacated earlier this month, but I’m not sure that he makes the difference from my previous prediction in April. The Patriots have struggled playing in Buffalo in early-season games, and Rex Ryan’s squad will be out to prove they can match up with the division’s best. They will pull together for a win here. Bills 24, Patriots 21. Record 1-1.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, at Miami, 4:25 p.m.
I still think this is one of the toughest games on the Bills' schedule. Playing in Miami early in the season is never easy because of the heat and humidity, and the Bills will need to maintain their focus after two tough opening games. This has the feeling of a Dolphins win. Dolphins 26, Bills 13. Record 1-2.
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, NY Giants, 1 p.m.
Returning home for the easiest part of their schedule, the Bills can start to gain momentum with a win here. The Giants aren't the same team that won a Super Bowl four seasons ago, and the Bills' defense can handle Eli Manning without a problem. Bills 27, Giants 17. Record 2-2.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Even with Marcus Mariota, the Titans are a mess. If the Bills lose this one, sound the alarm. Bills 35, Titans 20. Record 3-2.
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
I gave the edge to the Bengals in my initial predictions but I can see this one going either way. The Bengals have a stingy defense that should give the Bills' offense problems, but Andy Dalton won't do much against the Bills' defense. Bills 17, Bengals 10. Record 4-2.
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, Jacksonville (in London), 9:30 a.m.
This game being played in London is a curveball for both teams, since it will essentially be on a neutral field and after a long plane flight. But this is the sort of game the Bills need to win if they want to make the playoffs. Bills 35, Jaguars 14. Record 5-2.
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8, Miami, 1 p.m.
Will the Dolphins show up to play at Ralph Wilson Stadium this season? They effectively haven't the past two seasons, with the Bills blowing them out each time. I don't see that changing. Bills 28, Dolphins 10. Record 6-2.
Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 12, at NY Jets, 8:25 p.m.
This is where the Bills begin a stretch of five road games in six weeks that will define their season. Rex Ryan will be returning to New York and shouldn't have a problem scheming to stop the Jets' offense. But how much can the Bills' offense manage against an improved Jets' defense? It will be close. Jets 19, Bills 17. Record 6-3.
Week 11: Monday, Nov. 23, at New England, 8:30 p.m.
The Bills' first Monday Night Football tilt since 2009 will take place in Gillette Stadium, which has been a house of horrors for Buffalo. We know Ryan will have this game circled on his calendar, and if he can pull it out, it will be a big statement for his team in the AFC East. But it'll be the Bills' biggest hurdle this season. Patriots 34, Bills 24. Record 6-4.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, at Kansas City, 1 p.m.
Mental toughness will be no more important than this weekend, when the Bills -- on short rest -- will play their third consecutive road game. If the Bills are going to drop three consecutive games, this is where it happens. Chiefs 17, Bills 14. Record 6-5.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, Houston, 1 p.m.
With the season on the ropes, the Bills will have a chance to catch their breath and avenge last season's loss to Houston. I can see this being a game where Ryan rallies his troops after a tough road stretch and gets his team back on track in a big way. Bills 38, Texans 17. Record 7-5.
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
LeSean McCoy's return to Philadelphia and a chess match between Ryan, the defensive wizard, and Chip Kelly, the offensive guru, adds some late-season intrigue, so this one has the potential to get flexed to a late-afternoon or night game. Like the Bengals home game in October, I see this going either way. The playoffs could be on the line. Eagles 24, Bills 21. Record 7-6.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, at Washington, 1 p.m.
With their backs against the wall, the Bills make another trip to an NFC East opponent and start to make their final push to the playoffs. Like the Titans, the Redskins are a team without much direction. The Bills need to take advantage of this one. Bills 27, Redskins 14. Record 8-6.
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, Dallas, 1 p.m.
This late in the season, you never know what version of the Cowboys you'll get. Will they be a fragile team on the verge of collapse or serious contenders in the NFC? Either way, I can see the Bills and their fans coming together to keep Buffalo's playoff hopes alive. Bills 33, Cowboys 21. Record 9-6.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, NY Jets, 1 p.m.
It's the final week of the season and the Bills, entering with a record that could put them on the playoff bubble, will be watching the scoreboard closely. The Jets, meanwhile, could be out of the picture. Advantage Buffalo. Bills 24, Jets 13. Record 10-6.