2025 Buffalo Bills projected win total, prediction

Quarterback clearly isn't a problem. After four straight seasons with over 4,000 yards and 30 or more touchdowns, Josh Allen threw for 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns on his way to being named NFL MVP with a career-best 77.3 QBR last season. He also led the team to 13 wins in 2024 including a 10-1 mark from Week 6 through Week 13.

Running back is another story. For the second straight year, James Cook led the Bills in rushing with 1,009 yards and a career-best 16 touchdowns in 2024, tying Baltimore’s Derrick Henry and Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs for the league lead.

Cook had only two touchdowns in each of his first two seasons, but that hasn’t stopped the former second-round pick from demanding a raise. Heading into the final year of his rookie contract, he's asked for a contract extension with a $15M-plus average annual value.

The 25-year-old was absent from voluntary OTAs and could hold out without a new deal. If so, second-year running back Ray Davis would assume lead back duties after rushing for 442 yards and three touchdowns with 189 yards and three scores through the air in 2024.

On defense, Buffalo used their first five draft picks (six of their nine choices) on defensive players, including first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston, who ranked third in the FBS with five interceptions in 2023. He’ll look to replace 30-year-old Rasul Douglas, who remains unsigned, while new linebackers Michael Hoecht and Joey Bosa will look to improve the team’s 18th-ranked pass-rush. 

Hoecht will miss the first six games of the season for violating the NFL's PED policy, but Bosa should be ready to go with five Pro Bowl appearances already in his pocket. Fortunately for Hoecht and his teammates, few teams have a more favorable schedule to start the season. 

After opening the season at home against the 12-5 Baltimore Ravens, the Bills won’t face a team with a winning record until Week 9 when they host the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of last year’s conference championship game.

Our take: ESPN BET has Buffalo favored to win all 17 games next year, but the Bill’s aren’t quite the 1972 Dolphins. However, a favorable schedule and veteran roster should get them back to the AFC Championship game, where they’re likely to meet the Chiefs once again.

Predicted win total: 14