Buffalo Rumblings
Are the Buffalo Bills back? They never left, to be clear. But that doesn’t mean many people wrote them off as a team ready to make real noise in 2025. While quarterback Josh Allen grabs most headlines, it’s actually running back James Cook and Buffalo’s run-blocking unit (including fullback Reggie Gilliam and rookie tight end Jackson Hawes) playing the role of team MVP almost midway through the season.
That running game (and some defensive recognition) paved the way for much of this week’s power rankings commentary on the Bills, and is a huge reason they rise in eight of the 20 rankings below. Where they see no change (9 outlets) or drop down (2 outlets) has as much to do with the New England Patriots as it does their own on-field work. The Patriots are once again a problem, but will that be true come playoff time?
Still, most aren’t ready to say the Bills are back to form, and they may not even be the type of elite fans have grown accustomed to since Josh Allen took the reigns. Plenty want to see what Buffalo does against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9. What does that mean for the always-entertaining NFL power rankings? Let’s find out more with a gaggle of the latest below.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) joins the fray this week. While there are plenty of groans from folks wondering why PFF is such a highly referenced outlet, the fact is that its popularity and use continues to grow. That makes for valid inclusion in this space, where power rankings are most just thought exercises at best.
First, as always this season, let’s check in with the latest ESPN playoff odds for the Bills in four key metrics. Last week I mentioned that Buffalo’s home loss to the New England Patriots was going to haunt them all season. Well, I may have reverse-jinxed the Bills, at least per ESPN’s numbers.
The Bills’ odds of making the playoffs improved, and are now up to 88% (was 81%); their odds of winning the division rebounded to 51% (was 45%). Buffalo earning a bye in the playoffs increased to 14% (was 11%), while making it to the Super Bowl also jumped to 14% (was 11%).
Where in Week 8, the Bills were listed fourth, they rise back up to second, and are back out in front of the Patriots in every metric. That’s interesting when you consider that New England currently leads the AFC East, and has a win over Buffalo in the books.
Let’s live in the present and dive into the latest NFL power rankings, passing the mic to hierarchy experts around the country. Ready?
(Week 8 Power Rankings for comparison)
“Best offseason addition: DT Deone Walker”
“The fourth-round pick has turned into a valuable player for the Bills, especially given the injuries that have hit their defensive tackle position. Playing time for Walker...
