fsif posted:

What looks promising:
It's a team that made it to the AFC Championship that retained nearly all of its starters. The team didn't have many weaknesses to begin with, but it dumped a ton of resources into young talent into one of them: the defensive line. The hope is that last year's offense can be coupled with a defense more similar to what we've seen in past McDermott years.

What looks ominous:
Most the key players (including likely Josh Allen!) are vaccinated, but hard not to see how a starting receiver dropping a diss track towards vaccinations can be interpreted as anything but a foreboding sign of what's to come. Also, Patrick Mahomes is still in the NFL.

Keys to the season:
Allen has to prove he wasn't a one-year wonder and maintain last year's play.

Realistic best case scenario
The Bills win a Super Bowl.

Realistic worst case scenario
Injuries/Covid happens and the Bills miss the playoffs. Absent that, there is always the chance that defenses catch up to Allen or that Allen has a harder time playing in front of crowds, for whatever reason.

My prediction
Divisional round exit.