An Improved Bills Offense Raises the Bar

One final reason to believe in a potential big game from Sam Darnold to open the 2020-21 season? He may not have a choice, but to produce some heavy numbers this go round.

Jamal Adams’ impact on this Jets defense was ineffable. Through both intangibles and versatility, he built a foundation as a top-five player in the NFL. The Jets will be without him, as well as four-time Pro Bowler CJ Mosley, who opted out for the year.

There’s still a lot to like; Quinnen Williams could have a resurgent second year. The Jets’ run stoppers are excellent, and Marcus Maye has tons of promise in the secondary. But, until we see what that produce looks like without a few of its marquee stars, it’ll be difficult to imagine New York building on what they did a season ago.

Josh Allen and the Bills have yet to prove they can score with regularity against this Jets defense. But the Bills just added the explosive Stefon Diggs to a wide receiving corp that already had John Brown (1,060 yards and six TDs in 2019), Cole Beasley (778 yards and six TDs), and potential up-and-comer Dawson Knox. That’s an elite group. The Bills ranked 21st in offensive DVOA in 2019, but it feels a shift and change is coming.

Oddsmakers don’t respect this game’s shootout potential; the over-under is “40.” But if the Bills improve upon their 19.6 PPG average even slightly, it ensures that some level of pressure will be on Darnold. He may not win Sunday, but he’s poised to produce.