Key Moments:
- The Bills’ Super Bowl odds shifted after back-to-back losses
- Josh Allen dropped to third in MVP odds, behind Mahomes and Mayfield
- Several key players, including wide receivers, have been impacted by injuries
Recent Struggles Impact Odds and Team Morale
The Buffalo Bills enter their bye week amid growing concerns about the team’s direction, following two consecutive defeats that have left fans and analysts questioning their Super Bowl credentials. Their latest setback came in a 24-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, where the team’s performance was outmatched throughout the game. With a 4-2 record, the Bills now trail the Patriots in the AFC East standings.
The Patriots, led by emerging quarterback Drake Maye, have showcased strong passing numbers, including 1,522 yards, a 73.2% completion rate, and ten touchdowns. As a result, the AFC East landscape has become increasingly competitive.
Market Odds Reflect Changing Fortunes
Despite recent struggles, sportsbooks like ESPN BET continue to regard the Bills as top Super Bowl contenders, currently listing them at +600 to win it all. However, the Kansas City Chiefs have matched the Bills’ Super Bowl odds at +600 after improving from +800, with the Packers at +700 and Lions at +775. The Chiefs are also attracting the most Super Bowl wagers at ESPN BET.
On the MVP front, Josh Allen slipped to third place in odds at +325, behind Patrick Mahomes (+200) and Baker Mayfield (+300), following the two-game losing streak. Drake Maye has surged in MVP consideration as well, moving from 50/1 before the season to 11/1.
| Super Bowl Odds (ESPN BET) | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | +600 | |
| Kansas City Chiefs | +600 | |
| Green Bay Packers | +700 | |
| Detroit Lions | +775 |
Injuries and Personnel Uncertainty
Injuries continue to present significant challenges for the Bills, particularly at the wide receiver position. Joshua Palmer is listed as week to week with an ankle issue, while Curtis Samuel remains sidelined with neck and rib ailments. It is uncertain if either will return for the matchup against the Panthers on October 26. Additional injuries include DaQuan Jones (week to week), and Dalton Kincaid, Matt Milano, and Terrel Bernard (day to day), as reported by head coach Sean McDermott.
Running back James Cook’s limited touches – 17 for 87 yards in the loss to Atlanta – have also drawn scrutiny, with the team lacking a breakout wide receiver to change games in their favor.
Leadership Voices and Strategic Adjustments
Reflecting on the recent defeat, McDermott stated the team must “start from ground zero,” and emphasized a thorough reevaluation during the bye week: “We can certainly perform at a higher level, and we need to. When you go into a bye week, you have a little bit more time on your hands to really hunker down and study things, study scheme, study all the hot spots, if you will. And that’s what I’ve asked the coordinators to do, is let’s identify the problems and then let’s get together on it and figure out the solutions and the best way forward. In this case, it’s evaluating personnel and making sure that we’ve got the right people in the right places that can get the job done here for us.”
Josh Allen also addressed the team’s struggles after the game: “Listen, if it works, it’s a great call. If it doesn’t, it’s not. If we run the ball there, downhill, and it doesn’t work, it’s not a good call, right? Little details matter. We’ve got to find ways.”
McDermott added, “We’re better than that, and we have to handle that better next time. Every year you start at ground zero and work your way back up to where you are. You need to make sure there is nothing in the foundation that needs to be fixed. The last two games, we’ve had some good moments, but I also want to kind of look under the hood a little bit more and make sure that we’ve got everything underneath in terms of the foundation, that it’s helping us, to the way we practice, to the way we meet, to what we’re asking our players to do.”
Speculation Swirls Around Receiver Market Ahead of Deadline
With several receiving options unavailable and uncertainty over depth, there has been widespread speculation about the Bills seeking help at wide receiver as the trade deadline nears. Jakobi Meyers, currently with the Raiders and known for deep pass production (29 catches for 329 yards), reportedly requested a trade earlier in the season. Other potential options discussed include D.J. Moore of the Bears, A.J. Brown, and Chris Olave.
Bills’ Outlook in Betting Markets
At BetMGM, the Bills’ odds to win the AFC shifted from +200 after Week 6 to +300. The Chiefs stand at +325, and the Patriots are listed at +1700.
| AFC Odds (BetMGM) | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | +300 | |
| Kansas City Chiefs | +325 | |
| New England Patriots | +1700 |
Conclusion
The coming weeks will be pivotal for the Buffalo Bills as they attempt to address injuries, sharpen their strategy, and potentially pursue new talent via trade. Investors and fans alike will watch closely as the team pivots to correct course and reignite their Super Bowl campaign.
- Author
Daniel Williams
