By Tim Graham
Expectations have soared for the Buffalo Bills. That makes sense for Western New Yorkers, but should the national media buy into the buzz?
Pro Football Weekly writer Kevin Fishbain examines how the Bills ought to be viewed in light of their remarkable offseason.
Fishbain writes:
"This isn't your normal 'everyone jump on the bandwagon and pick Team X to make the playoffs' like we saw last preseason with the Texans and Lions. There are reasons to believe that even though the Bills will be improved, the drought [of not making the playoffs] will continue."
Fishbain emphasizes widespread skepticism over quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, rookie tackle Cordy Glenn protecting Fitzpatrick's blind side, the absence of a clear-cut receiving target other than Stevie Johnson and a shoddy pass defense that will rely on unproven young talent in Stephon Gilmore and Aaron Williams.
Fishbain also reveals Pro Football Weekly has predicted in its 2012 preview magazine that the Bills will finish second to the New England Patriots in the AFC East. He also points out PFW's preview magazines have predicted the Bills would finish with a winning record only once since 1999.
