In the Spotlight: Buffalo Bills Begin New Era With Super Bowl Expectations

The Buffalo Bills enter 2026 with familiar Super Bowl expectations but a dramatically different look on the sideline. Buffalo finished 12-5 in 2025, extending its streak of double-digit-win seasons to seven, but failed to win the AFC East for the first time since 2019. The Bills beat Jacksonville in the Wild Card round before losing a close divisional-round game at Denver. That playoff exit helped usher in a major organizational change. Sean McDermott departed after nine seasons, with former offensive coordinator Joe Brady taking over as head coach. Josh Allen remains the foundation after throwing for 3,668 yards and 25 touchdowns last season.

What to Watch

The biggest question is whether Brady can finally guide the Allen-era Bills to a Super Bowl. Buffalo has been one of the NFL’s most consistent regular-season teams but has repeatedly fallen short in January. The supporting cast around Allen also looks different. Buffalo acquired wide receiver DJ Moore from Chicago, giving the offense a proven veteran target. Moore joins a group featuring Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid. Buffalo made several significant defensive additions as well, signing edge rusher Bradley Chubb and cornerback Dee Alford. C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone were added at safety, although Stone was released during final roster cuts and subsequently returned on the practice squad. The Bills also brought back Damar Hamlin. Improving the run defense will be particularly important after Buffalo ranked 30th in yards allowed per rushing attempt in 2025.

Betting Outlook

Despite New England winning the AFC East and reaching the Super Bowl last season, sportsbooks like BetMGM and FanDuel have Buffalo favored to reclaim the division. DraftKings listed the Bills at -136 to win the AFC East as of Sept. 1, making Buffalo the NFL’s biggest division favorite. Buffalo was also +500 to win the AFC and +1000 to win Super Bowl LXI. The win total is 10.5, with Over 10.5 priced at -120 and Under 10.5 at +100. The Bills are -320 to reach the playoffs.

Key Team Details

• 2025 record: 12-5, second in AFC East; lost in divisional round.
• Key players to watch: Josh Allen, James Cook, DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, Ed Oliver and Bradley Chubb.
• Expected starting QB: Josh Allen.
• Key signings and additions for 2026-27 season: DJ Moore, Bradley Chubb, Dee Alford, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Lloyd Cushenberry, Austin Corbett and QB Kyle Allen.
• Betting odds to win AFC East: -136.
• Betting odds to win AFC: +500.
• Betting odds to win Super Bowl: +1000.
• Win totals over/under: 10.5 wins — Over -120 / Under +100.

2026-27 Buffalo Bills Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	TV
1	Sept. 13	at Houston Texans	1:00 p.m.	CBS
2	Sept. 17	vs. Detroit Lions	8:15 p.m.	Prime Video
3	Sept. 27	vs. Los Angeles Chargers	1:00 p.m.	FOX
4	Oct. 4	vs. New England Patriots	1:00 p.m.	CBS
5	Oct. 12	at Los Angeles Rams	8:15 p.m.	ESPN
6	Oct. 18	at Las Vegas Raiders	4:25 p.m.	CBS
7	—	BYE	—	—
8	Nov. 1	vs. Baltimore Ravens	1:00 p.m.	CBS
9	Nov. 9	at Minnesota Vikings	8:15 p.m.	ESPN
10	Nov. 15	at New York Jets	1:00 p.m.	CBS
11	Nov. 22	vs. Miami Dolphins	1:00 p.m.	FOX
12	Nov. 26	vs. Kansas City Chiefs	8:20 p.m.	NBC
13	Dec. 6	at New England Patriots	4:25 p.m.	CBS
14	Dec. 13	at Green Bay Packers	8:20 p.m.	NBC
15	Dec. 19	vs. Chicago Bears	8:20 p.m.	CBS
16	Dec. 25	at Denver Broncos	4:30 p.m.	Netflix
17	Jan. 3	at Miami Dolphins	1:00 p.m.	CBS
18	TBD	vs. New York Jets	TBD	TBD

  Buffalo’s schedule features several major measuring-stick games, including Baltimore, Kansas City and defending AFC champion New England. The Bills also face a difficult December stretch that includes trips to Green Bay and Denver before finishing with two AFC East games.