The Buffalo Bills entered the 2021 preseason as one of the NFL’s early Super Bowl favorites. That’s exactly where they stand now.
ESPN recently released its final power rankings before the 2021 NFL regular season, and has the Bills at No. 3 overall, right behind the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
That was also the case after the 2021 NFL Draft.
It isn’t surprising to see the Bills at the top of the AFC, given they were able to escape the preseason without any significant injuries. They will also enter the fall with Josh Allen signed long-term after inking the 25-year-old to a six-year contract extension that tops out at $258 million.
Notably, the second-highest ranked team in the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins, are way back at No. 16. The New England Patriots are ranked No. 17 overall. That means the Bills are unequivocal favorites in the division for the first time in roughly 30 years.
Following last season’s AFC Championship Game, the Bills retained nearly every member of their core, inking safety Micah Hyde and linebacker Matt Milano to below market deals. They also signed veteran wideout Emmanuel Sanders and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in free agency.
But, of course, the biggest reason for Buffalo’s ascension is the emergence of Allen. Blessed with an elite quarterback and upper-echelon receiving crew, the Bills can score with anybody.
As it stands now, they’re in the same class as last year’s two Super Bowl teams. It’s hard to find better company than that.