Buffalo Bills 2021 Preview: Will Allen, Bills handle tough schedule, high expectations?

The Buffalo Bills did not win the Super Bowl last season but short of that, it is hard to find a team that had a much better season. They won a lot, saw the development of their quarterback into a star, and seem poised to be a contender in the AFC for years to come. With teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC, it is going to be hard to win the conference. But they are firmly the best team in the AFC East right now, and there is a lot to like about the Bills this year and beyond.

Buffalo Bills 2021 Schedule and NFL Futures Odds

To keep up with the Bills’ results and updated futures odds throughout the season, check out our dedicated Buffalo Bills page.

Buffalo Bills 2021 Futures Odds

• Super Bowl LVI Odds: +1200
• Odds to Win the AFC Championship: +550
• Odds to Win the AFC East: -150
• 2021 NFL Season Win Total: OVER 11 (-120), UNDER 11 (+100)

Buffalo Bills odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Monday, August 23, 2021.

Buffalo Bills 2021 Schedule

Date, Matchup, Time, and TV Broadcast Information

Week 1

Sunday, September 12, 2021: vs Pittsburgh Steelers, 1:00 pm ET, CBS

Week 2

Sunday, September 19, 2021: at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 pm ET, FOX

Week 3

Sunday, September 26, 2021: vs Washington Football Team, 1:00 pm ET, CBS

Week 4

Sunday, October 3, 2021: vs Houston Texans, 1:00 pm ET, CBS

Week 5

Sunday, October 10, 2021: at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 pm ET, NBC

Week 6

Monday, October 18, 2021: at Tennessee Titans, 8:15 pm ET, ESPN

Week 7

BYE WEEK

Week 8

Sunday, October 31, 2021: vs Miami Dolphins, 1:00 pm ET, CBS

Week 9

Sunday, November 7, 2021: at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00 pm ET, CBS

Week 10

Sunday, November 14, 2021: at New York Jets, 1:00 pm ET, CBS

Week 11

Sunday, November 21, 2021: vs Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 pm ET, CBS

Week 12

Thursday, November 25, 2021: at New Orleans Saints, 8:20 pm ET, NBC

Week 13

Monday, December 6, 2021: vs New England Patriots, 8:15 pm ET, ESPN

Week 14

Sunday, December 12, 2021: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 pm ET, CBS

Week 15

Sunday, December 19, 2021: vs Carolina Panthers, TBD

Week 16

Sunday, December 26, 2021: at New England Patriots, 1:00 pm ET, CBS

Week 17

Sunday, January 2, 2022: vs Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 pm ET, FOX

Week 18

Sunday, January 9, 2022: vs New York Jets, 1:00 pm ET, CBS

Buffalo Bills 2021 Season Preview

Key Additions and Subtractions

Additions

• WR Emmanuel Sanders
• QB Mitch Trubisky
• DE Greg Rousseau
• DE Boogie Basham

I love the additions of Rousseau and Basham in the draft to spice up the pass rush. Trubisky did not live up to his billing with the Chicago Bears, but he is a good fit as a backup with the Bills. He has experience and similar physical traits as Allen, and he is good insurance if disaster strikes.

Sanders, entering his 12th season in the NFL, is a great veteran fit for a team with championship aspirations. And with how much the ball will be in the air, Sanders should be a prominent part of the Bills’ offense.

Subtractions

• WR John Brown
• DE Trent Murphy
• CB Josh Norman

Murphy was a great culture guy, but his best days were behind him. Brown still has top-end speed, but he was limited to only nine games last season after a 1,000-yard season in 2019. With Gabriel Davis and Isaiah McKenzie on the rise and Sanders now in the fold, Brown won’t be missed. Norman no longer has the lofty status he once did and played only nine games in his lone season in Buffalo.

2021 Season Preview

Last year the offense took off, led by the combination of quarterback Josh Allen and receiver Stefon Diggs.

Allen is a leading MVP candidate, coming in fourth behind Patrick Mahomes (+500), Aaron Rodgers (+1000), and Tom Brady (+1200) at +1300 to win the award. Diggs, who led the NFL in catches (127) and receiving yards (1,535) last season, comes in at +800 to lead the NFL in receiving yards, second behind DeAndre Hopkins (+750).

Even though Allen is a major running threat, the rushing attack never really came together. If the ground game improves, the offense will be even more difficult to deal with. There is no reason this can’t be a top-five offense again this season. Allen is a monster in goal to go situations.

Defense is the area where the biggest improvement must be made. They were just middle of the pack statistically and gave up 38 points in their AFC title game loss to the Chiefs. A better pass rush should help, and so will the return of defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, who sat out the season. LB Matt Milano missed several games too, and he is critical to their system, which plays only two linebackers. There is talent and playmaking ability at every level on their defense, and improvement should happen.

This Bills team is knocking on the door and could be the most complete team in the AFC. Some want to question Allen, but I just see development, not a fluky season. If I am wrong, all bets are off.

2021 Betting Preview

I am bullish on the Bills across the board. There are lots of good values on this team.

The only one I might take a pass on is their division odds. There simply is not the level of payoff for how long you have your money tied up. Taking the Bills to win the AFC and Super Bowl LVI are both good moves for a team that is on the rise. The top competitors are still strong, but the Bills can take the next step.

On the win total, the team has a tough schedule. It includes road trips to both Super Bowl LV participants. They also have road games against the Tennessee Titans, who beat them last season, and New Orleans Saints. Every time I run through the schedule, I come up with 12 wins. It’s a tough ask, but if you do bet on their win total, play the over.

Prop to consider: Josh Allen Over 4499.5 Passing Yards (-112)

Allen bested this number last season, and this season he has one more game to do it. If the Bills are going to be challenged in more games, that likely means more opportunities for him to sling it. They threw a lot late in games because the run game wasn’t great. This season they might have to play some catchup too.

Final Thought

The Bills might have sprung a surprise last season, but they won’t be sneaking up on anyone this season. They are poised for similar success, and don’t be put off by their tough schedule or the hype. This is one bandwagon to hop on.