A.J. Hines

Earlier today, Bruce Nolan wrote a piece that explained whether he believed the Buffalo Bills are better now than they were one year ago today. You should read it. It’s good. And thought-provoking. And it certainly provoked a thought with me — what was the “best” Bills team in the Sean McDermott era? This can be a fun discussion in the comments, perfect for the start of June. And let’s start in 2020, even though by then McDermott had orchestrated the breaking of the 17-season playoff drought, and made the playoffs in 2019 with second-year quarterback Josh Allen . Not that you necessarily need a reminder, but for article sake, let’s describe each iteration with a few sentences for anyone who needs their memory jogged: 2020 — Allen full-scale breakout. Got an MVP vote at season’s end. Stefon Diggs led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards. Team went 13-3. Won first AFC East title since 1995. Beat Colts then Ravens in playoffs before losing to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, 38-24. 2021 — Lost season opener to Steelers , rattled off four in a row after that. Had weird losses (9-6 to Urban Meyer Jaguars ), at home to Colts (41-15), and in windstorm to Patriots (14-10). Won final four entering playoffs. Perfect Game vs. New England followed by 13 Seconds. 2022 — Scored 72 points in two wins to begin the season, including Week 1 over reigning Super Bowl champion Rams. Allen injures elbow in loss at Jets after 6-1 start. Vikings OT loss was next game. Six-straight wins. Damar Hamlin game. Nyheim Hines return scores in win over Patriots to close the regular season. Sneak past Dolphins in wild-card round. Smoked by Bengals in snow at home in divisional round. Diggs sideline tirade directed at Allen. 2023 — Turnovers galore on MNF in OT loss to Jets in Week 1. Three-straight wins before ugly loss in London to Jaguars (that was costly on injury front). Offense fell into lull. Last-second home loss to Broncos in prime time. Ken Dorsey fired. Won six of last seven entering playoffs. Allen fake-slide TD vs. Steelers in playoffs. Then Wide Right II vs. Chiefs. 2024 — Everybody Eats. Josh Allen MVP. Franchise-record 525 points in regular season. Back-to-back early losses to Ravens and Texans . Seven-straight victories after that. Bananas 44-42 loss to Rams in Los Angeles then 48-42 win in Detroit against Lions immediately afterward. Big win over Broncos in wild-card round, narrow victory over Ravens in divisional, heavyweight duel with Chiefs ends in another AFC Championship Game loss, 32-29. 2025 — Epic Week 1 comeback against Ravens. Midway through the year, chasing Patriots for AFC East lead. Blown out in Miami . Won six of eight after that, including another ridiculous comeback, this time in New England. Second-place finish in the division. Wild-card thriller against Jaguars. Outrageous loss in Denver to Broncos in divisional round. Which club do you think was best?

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Discussion: What was the best Buffalo Bills team of the Sean McDermott era?