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          Buffalo Bills 2020 season preview: Can Josh Allen lead them to a title?

          • ESPN staffSep 8, 2020, 06:00 AM ET

          The Buffalo Bills are ranked No. 10 in ESPN's Football Power Index ahead of the 2020 NFL season. With no preseason games this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, Week 1 is the first time we'll see new acquisitions and rookies for every team. Week 1 will also give us the first NFL games since Super Bowl LIV in February.

          Here's everything you need to know about the Bills heading into the season, from the big question to answer and the toughest stretch on their schedule to a bold prediction and potential breakout fantasy football stars.

          Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart

          The big question: Can Josh Allen make as much progress in Year 3 as he did in Year 2?

          Allen was much improved in his second season (58.8 completion percentage up from 52.8%), but was still the NFL's least-accurate starting quarterback in 2019. If he can start to win games with his arm, the Bills are a dark horse AFC contender in 2020. Allen called himself his harshest critic and has been working all offseason on several points of his game -- including the deep ball, which he struggled to hit last season. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

          How the pandemic has most affected the Bills

          Buffalo lost starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei when he opted out of the 2020 season, as well as some depth at cornerback when E.J. Gaines did the same by opting out.

          After an initial scare during the first week of training camp (five positive tests in four days), the Bills have remained relatively healthy.

          When they do play, however, it won't be in front of fans -- not for their first two games, at least. -- Louis-Jacques

          Football Power Index projections for the Bills

          Overall ranking: 10
          Offensive ranking: 19
          Defensive ranking: 2
          Special teams ranking: 18

          Total wins: 8.7
          AFC East title chances: 39.3%
          Chances to make playoffs: 59.7%
          Super Bowl chances: 3%
          2021 draft pick: No. 23

          Inside the Bills' schedule

          FPI's strength of schedule rank: 10

          Toughest stretch: From Week 5 to Week 13, the Bills play five teams that made the playoffs in 2019, including both Super Bowl participants (Kansas City and San Francisco). It's a stretch during which Buffalo can prove whether it's a true contender.

          Over or under 8.7 wins? Over. Buffalo won 10 games with a relatively easy schedule in 2019 but got better on both sides of the ball this offseason. Working in the Bills' favor is that they improved while making minimal roster additions, keeping their league-leading continuity intact. With a defense ranked among the top three returning mostly together and a plethora of weapons on offense, Buffalo should see double-digit wins once again in 2020. -- Louis-Jacques

          Bold prediction for 2020: Stefon Diggs and John Brown will each have 1,000 receiving yards

          Brown (1,060 yards) and Diggs (1,130) are coming off career-highs in receiving yards in 2019 and should complement each other nicely as the Bills roll out their most prolific passing offense since 2002. Diggs will also make his first Pro Bowl and will finish in the top 10 in the NFL in receiving touchdowns. -- Louis-Jacques

          Breakout fantasy star: Zack Moss, RB

          Buffalo has an incumbent lead back in 2019 third-round pick Devin Singletary, but don't be surprised if rookie third-rounder Moss emerges as the better player. Moss checked in as second-best in both yards after catch (YAC) and forced missed tackle rate last season among this year's rookie class (his numbers were similar in 2018 as well). Moss is bigger than his new counterpart and is also a capable pass-catcher. Expect his role to increase as the season progresses. -- Mike Clay

          ADP for the top players:

          The view from Vegas

          Super Bowl odds: 25-1 (opened 28-1)
          Over/under: 9
          Playoff odds: Yes -175, No +155

          If current lines hold, the Bills (+100) would be the first team not named New England to be favored to win the AFC East since 2003, when the Dolphins were the preseason favorite. The Bills haven't won the division since 1995. 2003 was also the last time the Bills' odds to win the Super Bowl were this short (25-1) prior to the season. The Bills have hit the over on their win total each of the past three seasons, but have not seen a number as high as 9 since 1994. -- ESPN Chalk staff

          Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill as of Sept. 1.

          Where the Bills landed in NFL Rank

          Speed reads before Week 1