At times, it’s seemed like the Buffalo Bills are experiencing a football coronation this offseason. Fresh off last season’s AFC Championship, they’ve widely been described as the Kansas City Chiefs’ true challenger in the conference, with pundits lauding their team culture.
But two ESPN analysts are taking a different view. Mike Greenberg and Ryan Clark both think the Cleveland Browns are ready to emerge as Kansas City’s biggest threat.
“There is every reason to believe the Browns should be better this year than they were a year ago,” Greenberg said this week on "Get Up". “So I’ll take this a step further: I believe the Browns are the single biggest threat to Kansas City in the AFC going into this season, and that’s inclusive of Buffalo, and everybody else. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.”
Clark followed up.
“Early on in this offseason, I took a lot of heat for putting [the Browns] No. 2 in the AFC, and they’re just gotten better since,” he said. “Great minds think alike, 'Greeny'.”
That’s high praise from Clark, who played seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. There’s no doubt the Browns are formidable, especially after signing Jadeveon Clowney to augment their pass-rush. Much like Buffalo, the Browns retained every part of their core, too.
The Chiefs narrowly defeated Cleveland 22-17 in the AFC Divisional Round this past year, though it’s worth noting that Patrick Mahomes exited the game due to injury.
The biggest difference between Cleveland and Buffalo probably resides at quarterback.
While Baker Mayfield is on an upward ascent — he completed a career-high 62.8% of his passes for 3,563 yards and 26 touchdowns last season — the 2017 Heisman winner isn’t at Josh Allen’s level. Right now, Mayfield has proven himself to be a good game manager.
Allen, meanwhile, is a superstar. He gelled instantly with Stefon Diggs, whereas Mayfield is still trying to get on the same page with his star wideout, Odell Beckham Jr.
The Bills also added to their high-powered offense in free agency, inking veteran wideout Emmanuel Sanders to a one-year deal.
One thing is clear: The Browns and Bills promise to be at the top of the AFC for years to come. Cleveland and Buffalo are incredible football towns. Here’s hoping there’s a playoff game between the two to settle this debate.