Breakdown: We already knew the Bills would have a tough slate that included games against five playoff teams from last season (the Steelers, Seahawks, Patriots, Cardinals and Bengals). The bad news for Buffalo is that they'll have to play the Cardinals and at the Patriots back to back in Weeks 4 and 5, and then they'll have to play the Patriots and Seahawks back to back in Weeks 8 and 9. That's a tough first-half schedule. The good news? The Bills will be at home for three consecutive weeks in December and potentially can recover from any earlier stumbles when they host the Steelers, Browns and Dolphins. The Bills also don't play any teams who are coming off a bye week; the frequency of those such games rankled Buffalo's front office in recent seasons.
Could Bills get a break from Tom Brady in Week 4?: With a federal court in New York City yet to make its decision on the NFL's appeal that could reinstate Brady's four-game suspension, the possibility exists for Brady to not be available against the Bills when they head to Gillette Stadium in Week 4. That would be the ideal situation for Rex Ryan and his defense. As much as Ryan savors the challenge of going against Brady, I'm sure he wouldn't mind the chance to shut down backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Foxboro.
Longest "Sunday Night Football" drought continues: The Bills are scheduled for two prime-time games, a Thursday night game hosting the Jets in Week 2 and a Monday night contest in Seattle in Week 9. That's the first time since 1997 that the Bills have been scheduled for multiple prime-time games in back-to-back seasons, but for the ninth consecutive year, the Bills do not have a game on NBC's "Sunday Night Football" scheduled. It's possible that changes with flex scheduling (Weeks 10-15 and 17), but for now, that remains the longest active Sunday Night Football drought in the NFL.
Strength of schedule: 10th, .520
Bills Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Week 2: Thursday, Sept. 15, NY Jets, 8:25 p.m.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25, Arizona, 1 p.m.
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, at New England, 1 p.m.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, at Los Angeles, 4:25 p.m.
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16, San Francisco, 1 p.m.
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, at Miami, 1 p.m.
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, New England, 1 p.m.
Week 9: Monday, Nov. 7, at Seattle, 8:30 p.m.
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 20, at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27, Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4, at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, Miami, 1 p.m.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, at NY Jets, 1 p.m.