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Can the Buffalo Bills still win the Super Bowl? It’s up to Josh Allen
After losing 33-30 against the Minnesota Vikings (8-1), are the Buffalo Bills (6-3) still capable of winning a Super Bowl this season?
Sunday afternoon’s loss makes it two straight for the Bills, which is concerning for a championship-caliber team. Coming into this season, the Bills were a +290 favorite to win the big game – they currently sit at +380.
Yesterday’s defeat was an utter meltdown. Bills fans witnessed their team let victory slip through the grasp of their hands – something that can’t happen in a league where losing games has immense consequences.
What happened Sunday afternoon?
Buffalo was up 27-10 with 16-minutes left to play and seemingly had the win secured. However, Minnesota stormed back.
With two minutes remaining, on fourth-and-eighteen, Justin Jefferson hauled down a spectacular one-handed catch, putting the Vikings in position to force overtime.
In the extended period, the Vikings converted a 33-yard field goal – giving previous NFL MVP betting favorite Josh Allen the ball back.
Allen, on second-and-ten, threw his second interception of the game. He Forced a 20-yard pass into the endzone and gave Minnesota the come-from-behind win.
Are the Bills looking to add to their roster?
Four defensive backs missed Sunday’s game with injuries (Jordan Poyer, Kaiir Elam, Tre’Davious White, and Micah Hyde). Hyde is out for the remainder of the season after suffering a neck injury on Sept. 24.
Not only do the Bills have issues on the defensive of the ball, but offensively there are concerns as well. Recent reports have suggested that the Bills have plans to fix their problems on offense. They are reportedly interested in signing two-time All-Pro wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Von Miller – Bills superstar pass-rusher and close friend of OBJ, shared his thoughts on where he believes his friend will end up:
“Let’s be real; he’s coming to the Bills. He’s coming to the Bills; it’s already said and done… I’m optimistic. When it’s said and done, you where Odell is gonna be at,”
Miller said laughingly on The Richard Sherman Podcast
Is the Bills’ season over?
Although Sunday’s loss was an embarrassment for the Bills mafia, if this team is who people expected them to be – it should not dictate how the rest of this season goes.
In fact, every Super Bowl champion since 2018 has suffered back-to-back losses at some point in the season. Additionally, the Bills now find themselves in a familiar position.
Familiar territory
Last season, the Bills went on a two-game losing streak despite being considered one of the NFL’s ‘elite’ contenders.
However, repeating that pattern this season – decreases the Bills’ chances of having home-field advantage in the postseason.
Finishing as the No.1 seed in the AFC is something the Bills would have significantly benefited from – since the odds are not on their side.
What does this mean for Josh Allen?
“Losing sucks; sucks this way even worse. Horrendous second-half, I gotta be better, I gotta be better,”
Allen told reporters after blowing a double-digit lead
Allen has an unrecognizable amount of talent; his ability to push the ball downfield is unmatched. However, if the Bills ever want a chance of making the Super Bowl, he must eliminate the mental errors.
Though Allen has an unworldly ability to extend plays, this is the second week in a row he has cost his team by doing too much on the offensive side of the ball:
History of Buffalo in the ‘big game’
Despite having four Super Bowl appearances, the Bills are one-of-twelve franchises never to earn a ring.
From 1991-1994 the Bills appeared in four consecutive Super Bowls – failing to win one. In their first appearance, kicker Scott Norwood missed a game-winning last-second field goal.
In the remaining three appearances, the Bills lost to the Washington Redskins [now Commanders] and got dominated by the Dallas Cowboys twice.
The closest the Bills have been to a Super Bowl since then has been back-to-back AFC championship game appearances in 2020 and 2021.
What now?
You never know what to expect from the Bills. It is always a constant roller coaster of emotions, and that is what makes this team so exciting.
It will be fascinating to watch how they adjust heading into next week when they host the Cleveland Browns (3-6).