2016 Super Bowl Predictions: Buffalo Bills Or Atlanta Falcons Best Longshot?

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2016 Super Bowl Predictions: Buffalo Bills or Atlanta Falcons best longshot?

SUPER BOWL

2016 Super Bowl Predictions: Buffalo Bills or Atlanta Falcons best longshot?

by Dan Salem 1d ago TWEET SHARE COMMENTS

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Whos the better longshot to win the 2016 Super Bowl, the Buffalo Bills or Atlanta Falcons? Great teams on paper coming off average seasons. Its never too early for 2016 Super Bowl predictions. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in todays NFL Sports Debate. Check out more of the brothers in Seesaw Sports Debate on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

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Its silly to think that only a couple of teams have a shot at winning the Super Bowl. Each season, we see a handful of unexpected clubs vie for double-digit wins, and we all know that just getting in the playoffs gives anyone a shot at the championship.

So, choosing out of a couple of the possible unexpected clubs, who do you like more to win the Super Bowl this year, the Atlanta Falcons or the Buffalo Bills?

Yes, neither team was all that great last season, but they both enter 2015 with supreme strengths.

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Atlantas offense should be special. Just 6-10 a season ago, the Falcons may have the best passing attack in their division, something that wouldnt have been feasible at any prior point with Drew Brees in New Orleans. Matt Ryan is one of the best quarterbacks in the league; the same goes for Julio Jones at wide receiver. Many questions remain elsewhere, but the possibility certainly exists for Atlanta to win the NFC South. And just getting inwell, you know the drill.

As for Buffalo, its strengths are almost a mirror opposite of Atlanta. The Bills have an upper-echelon defense that could be the best in the conference. But their offense is a huge question mark, specifically who will lead the offense behind center. I love Sammy Watkins and Shady McCoy is a special talent, but without a quarterback, it makes it hard to excel.

Is it crazy to think the Falcons are the better bet here? QBs mean so much in this league. A bad defense can almost be overcome. A bad quarterback cannot be. If Buffalo had Matt Ryan and everything else was the same, it would be one of the favorites in the AFC, no question. It doesnt have Matt Ryan though.

DAN:

Super Bowl longshots are not supposed to be such solid football teams, but **** if both the Bills and Falcons look good heading into the new season. Its easy to love both these teams on paper, but Im going to buck the trend here in regards to quarterback importance. You can build a team to win with your QB, or you can build it to win as long as he doesnt screw up. Rex Ryan is in Buffalo and we all know his preference. This time, in this debate, he wins. Im taking the Buffalo Bills.

First let me address the Atlanta Falcons, who played in arguably the most annoying and possibly worst division in football last season. No one in the division had a winning record, making it completely up for grabs in 2015. Atlanta looked like they were going to win the division last season, and with their super powered passing offense, should have enough to do so this year.

Matt Ryan to Julio Jones is excellent, but having Roddy White as your second wide receiver and Jacob Tamme at tight end makes the Falcons electric.The running back situation is a bit unproven, and Atlantas defense has to show me something before I can trust them. Ultimately this lands them behind Buffalo.

The Bills have managed to assemble a potent offense built around ball control to complement their outstanding defense. If thats not the ideal Rex Ryan team, I dont know what is. Sammy Watkins will have Percy Harvin across the field from him. LeSean McCoy will have Fred Jackson as his backup and all the Bills need is a quarterback who can limit his mistakes.

Quarterback EJ Manuel is entering his third season, but with only fifteen games under his belt, hes barely completed a rookies worth of time on the field. Manuel is a question mark for sure, but his backup is not. Matt Cassel has been around the block and found success on more than one team. In his last full season as starter, fifteen games for Kansas City back in 2010, Cassel threw 27 touchdowns to only 7 interceptions. He had similar numbers for New England in 2008 and has been an above average quarterback throughout his career.

Fans dont want to root for an above average guy, but the Bills are an easy longshot pick to win the 2016 Super Bowl with such a quarterback. If Manuel succeeds, wonderful. If he stumbles and Cassel gets the call, thats good news too. The offensive talent on the Bills is more than enough to get them to the playoffs, and more than enough to catch lightning in a bottle on their way to a Lombardi Trophy.

The odds are in Rex Ryans favor that one of his quarterbacks can game manage. One of them can limit their mistakes and let the defense win things for Buffalo. He also has a superstar running back, meaning the Bills offense can eat up clock. All of this equals playoff success. The Bills are a great longshot for the 2016 Super Bowl.

http://nflspinzone.com/2015/07/02/2016-super-bowl-predictions-buffalo-bills-atlanta-falcons-best-longshot/

Edited July 4, 2015 by GATXBOI

[Willy Mo]

Not in the first year of Quinn.

[FalconFanSince1970]

I think both have a dark horse shot. Same for MIN, MIA, STL, OAK, NYG and TEN.

The Bills are one of the teams I pick to be strong this year. They're coming in off a 9-7 season with the fourth best defense in tow. Rex is taking the reigns, which should be scary for anyone on their schedule. Most non believers cite their offense as a big weakness. I think we will see a totally different BUF offense this year. They added Shady McCoy, Percy Harvin, Charles Clay, Matt Cassel, Nick Oleary and Karlos Williams to Sammy Watkins and Fred Jackson. Between Manuel and Cassel they should be able to find a game manager that can get enough done. The Oline will have to block though.

I think the Falcons will be strong too. We're coming in off of a 6-10 season, but were closer to a 9-7 team in my opinion. Our coaches and players lost games due to game day blunders. The biggest issue was the defense and run game. I think the defense has been addressed nicely by Quinn and Pioli and we could see six or seven new game one starters running a new scheme. There are still big questions to be answered in the middle of the defense by Worrilow and Allen though. The pass game should still be potent, but the jury is out on the run game which will have to improve. If we can get a run game going we could run through our number three schedule, get to the second season and cause some problems.

[AndySG]

Bills don't have a QB. I know that Jets made the AFC Championship game twice in a row with Sanchez, but I just don't see it.

[Atlfanstckndenver]

I think the Bills ARE a strong team already. They just have a bad qb situation. The Falcons will certainly hold their own this year too. The qb though for me puts Alaska ahead in my book.

[Atlfanstckndenver]

I think both have a dark horse shot. Same for MIN, MIA, STL, OAK, NYG and TEN.

The Bills are one of the teams I pick to be strong this year. They're coming in off a 9-7 season with the fourth best defense in tow. Rex is taking the reigns, which should be scary for anyone on their schedule. Most non believers cite their offense as a big weakness. I think we will see a totally different BUF offense this year. They added Shady McCoy, Percy Harvin, Charles Clay, Matt Cassel, Nick Oleary and Karlos Williams to Sammy Watkins and Fred Jackson. Between Manuel and Cassel they should be able to find a game manager that can get enough done. The Oline will have to block though.

I think the Falcons will be strong too. We're coming in off of a 6-10 season, but were closer to a 9-7 team in my opinion. Our coaches and players lost games due to game day blunders. The biggest issue was the defense and run game. I think the defense has been addressed nicely by Quinn and Pioli and we could see six or seven new game one starters running a new scheme. There are still big questions to be answered in the middle of the defense by Worrilow and Allen though. The pass game should still be potent, but the jury is out on the run game which will have to improve. If we can get a run game going we could run through our number three schedule, get to the second season and cause some problems.

You have successfully become the leader of the "everything that's good is Quinn and Pioli and everything bad is Dimitrov" team. Lol

[FalconFanSince1970]

Bills don't have a QB. I know that Jets made the AFC Championship game twice in a row with Sanchez, but I just don't see it.

With Brady missing games the Bills could run through the AFC East. Even with Manuel or Cassel just handing off to Shady and Fred. They have legitimate receiving targets like Watkins, Harvin, Clay and Woods. It may be a Trent Dilfer or Brad Johnson type Super Bowl run, but with their defense, it's possible.

[FalconFanSince1970]

You have successfully become the leader of the "everything that's good is Quinn and Pioli and everything bad is Dimitrov" team. Lol

No, no, no. I am on record saying Dimi gets all credit. Good or bad. As long as he is the GM. Whether a mastermind, puppet or demoted figure head.

[CraigSmackDaddy]

No, no, no. I am on record saying Dimi gets all credit. Good or bad. As long as he is the GM. Whether a mastermind, puppet or demoted figure head.

I've never been one to point the finger at one person. IMO if our FA's work or don't it's on Quinn. I think he and his staff hand picked these guys. I liked the FA haul and ultimately it will come down to if these guys can stay healthy.

I think the draft is where TD comes in. While Quinn advised what kind of ingredients he wanted TD was the chef.

JMHO.

[Falcanuck]

I think both have a dark horse shot. Same for MIN, MIA, STL, OAK, NYG and TEN.

The Bills are one of the teams I pick to be strong this year. They're coming in off a 9-7 season with the fourth best defense in tow. Rex is taking the reigns, which should be scary for anyone on their schedule. Most non believers cite their offense as a big weakness. I think we will see a totally different BUF offense this year. They added Shady McCoy, Percy Harvin, Charles Clay, Matt Cassel, Nick Oleary and Karlos Williams to Sammy Watkins and Fred Jackson. Between Manuel and Cassel they should be able to find a game manager that can get enough done. The Oline will have to block though.

I think the Falcons will be strong too. We're coming in off of a 6-10 season, but were closer to a 9-7 team in my opinion. Our coaches and players lost games due to game day blunders. The biggest issue was the defense and run game. I think the defense has been addressed nicely by Quinn and Pioli and we could see six or seven new game one starters running a new scheme. There are still big questions to be answered in the middle of the defense by Worrilow and Allen though. The pass game should still be potent, but the jury is out on the run game which will have to improve. If we can get a run game going we could run through our number three schedule, get to the second season and cause some problems.

Yeah, the GM had nothing to do with addressing the defence...

Also, TEN sucks. They will likely finish last in the entire league this year.

[Vandy]

With Brady missing games the Bills could run through the AFC East. Even with Manuel or Cassel just handing off to Shady and Fred. They have legitimate receiving targets like Watkins, Harvin, Clay and Woods. It may be a Trent Dilfer or Brad Johnson type Super Bowl run, but with their defense, it's possible.

Rex will find a way to mess it up. Most overrated HC in football.

[Lornoth]

Rex will never win a SB as an HC. Never.

[PokerSteve]

Bills don't have a QB. I know that Jets made the AFC Championship game twice in a row with Sanchez, but I just don't see it.

Agree. In this era of high-scoring games, where the rules have been changed to give the overwhelming advantage to offense, you MUST have a top-tier QB. Sorry, but in the real world, no combination of Manuel or Callas is going to turn that Buffalo offensive unit into a SB contender. And without an offense, I don't care how good the defense is. You have to score points, and if you're going to be a serious contender for the SB, you have to score a lot of points. Bills won't be able to do that. Between the two teams, the Falcons should be a huge favorite.

[Tribal Chief]

Both can make the playoffs. That's all I'll say.

[FalconFanSince1970]

I've never been one to point the finger at one person. IMO if our FA's work or don't it's on Quinn. I think he and his staff hand picked these guys. I liked the FA haul and ultimately it will come down to if these guys can stay healthy.

I think the draft is where TD comes in. While Quinn advised what kind of ingredients he wanted TD was the chef.

JMHO.

Pioli is in charge of the draft process. That means he buys the groceries. Dimi probably just pays for them and stays the helloutta the kitchen. Quinn mixes the ingredients and prepares the meal.

[FalconFanSince1970]

Rex will find a way to mess it up. Most overrated HC in football.

Rex will never win a SB as an HC. Never.

Agree. In this era of high-scoring games, where the rules have been changed to give the overwhelming advantage to offense, you MUST have a top-tier QB. Sorry, but in the real world, no combination of Manuel or Callas is going to turn that Buffalo offensive unit into a SB contender. And without an offense, I don't care how good the defense is. You have to score points, and if you're going to be a serious contender for the SB, you have to score a lot of points. Bills won't be able to do that. Between the two teams, the Falcons should be a huge favorite.

No faith in Rex huh? I mean he took two QBless teams to conference championship games before. As I mentioned earlier, the BUF offense has been totally rebuilt. They have way more weapons than any of those Jet offenses had. Either Cassel or Manuel should be able to manage enough games to get them into the playoffs where anything can happen. We will all see in about six months.

[Tribal Chief]

No faith in Rex huh? I mean he took two QBless teams to conference championship games before. As I mentioned earlier, the BUF offense has been totally rebuilt. They have way more weapons than any of those Jet offenses had. Either Cassel or Manuel should be able to manage enough games to get them into the playoffs where anything can happen. We will all see in about six months.

those type of comments are the reason I wanted him in Atlanta. Would have loved to see how different a tune peeps would have been singing

[Vandy]

those type of comments are the reason I wanted him in Atlanta. Would have loved to see how different a tune peeps would have been singing

You've already had him once in Atlanta, under the surname Jerry Glanville.

[Lornoth]

No faith in Rex huh? I mean he took two QBless teams to conference championship games before. As I mentioned earlier, the BUF offense has been totally rebuilt. They have way more weapons than any of those Jet offenses had. Either Cassel or Manuel should be able to manage enough games to get them into the playoffs where anything can happen. We will all see in about six months.

That's not true, at one point the Jets had probowl WR's, one of the best RB's in history, and an OL full of allpros. Literally the only thing missing from some of those Jets teams was a QB.

And a worthwhile coach. If Rex didn't win with some of those Jet teams, he's never winning. He has no idea how to orchestrate an offense, but refuses to let his OC take the reins.

[Vandy]

That's not true, at one point the Jets had probowl WR's, one of the best RB's in history, and an OL full of allpros. Literally the only thing missing from some of those Jets teams was a QB.

And a worthwhile coach. If Rex didn't win with some of those Jet teams, he's never winning. He has no idea how to orchestrate an offense, but refuses to let his OC take the reins.

His team quit on him more than once, including last year. His Glanville act gets old pretty quick.

To Smitty's credit, Falcons were still playing for playoffs last game of year, in spite of a ton of adversity all year long.

Edited July 5, 2015 by Vandy

[FalconFanSince1970]

That's not true, at one point the Jets had probowl WR's, one of the best RB's in history, and an OL full of allpros. Literally the only thing missing from some of those Jets teams was a QB.

And a worthwhile coach. If Rex didn't win with some of those Jet teams, he's never winning. He has no idea how to orchestrate an offense, but refuses to let his OC take the reins.

The best offense Rex had as a Jet coach was their 2010 offense, which was 13th in yards and 11th in points. Let's compare the skill positions of those teams with what he will start with in BUF this year:

WR1

Braylon Edwards - very good WR. Had 53 rec, 904 yds and 7 TDs in 2010

Sammie Watkins - young beast. Had 65 rec 982 yds and 6 TDs as a rookie. Arrow pointing north

WR2

Santonio Holmes - had 52 rec, 746 yds and 6 TDs in 2010. Never was the WR he was in PIT

Percy Harvin - capable of 87 rec, 967 yds and 6 TDs like he had in 2011. Can also get you 400 yds and 2 TDs as a RB

WR3

Jericho Cotchery - 41 rec, 433 yds and 2 TDs

Robert Woods - 65 rec, 699 yards and 5 TDs last year

RB1

Ladanian Tomlinson - a washed up LT who never had a 1000 yard rushing season as a Jet

LeSean McCoy - two time all pro RB who's 26 years old. Had four 1000 yard rushing seasons in a pass happy system. Beast

RB2

Shonn Greene - very good CoP back who had 886 yards and 2 TDs in 2010

Fred Jackson - 1026 yds and 3 TDs last year. Good short yardage back and receiver

TE

Justin Keller - solid TE with 55 rec, 687 yds and 5 TDs

Charles Clay - solid TE coming off 58 rec, 605 yds and 3 TDs

QB

Mark Sanchez - never eclipsed the 79.0 passer rating mark as a Jet

E.J. Manuel - 80.3 passer rating last year

Matt Cassel - pro bowl QB in KC in 2010 with a 93.0 passer rating. Also went 10-5 in 2008 with NE

He drafted Karlos Williams and Nick Oleary who should eventually contribute. You can argue that he had comparable weapons in 2010 with the Jets, but I think the QBs, WRs and RBs he's inheriting are better than anything he had in NY.

[Lornoth]

The best offense Rex had as a Jet coach was their 2010 offense, which was 13th in yards and 11th in points. Let's compare the skill positions of those teams with what he will start with in BUF this year:

You neglected the O-Lines mate. That's when it becomes clear the Jets Offense was much better. Also, you nit-picked the Bill's players best years in the league, some of which were 4, 5, and 7 years ago.

Oh yeah, and all of the Jets numbers were also reduced because Rex has no clue what he's doing on offense, though obviously we can't know what they could have been without him so I'll give you that one for free.

[Mr.11]

With Brady missing games the Bills could run through the AFC East. Even with Manuel or Cassel just handing off to Shady and Fred. They have legitimate receiving targets like Watkins, Harvin, Clay and Woods. It may be a Trent Dilfer or Brad Johnson type Super Bowl run, but with their defense, it's possible.

Lol, what was New England's record through the first four games of 2014? 2-2? 1-3? Believe me, even if NE starts out 0-4 for those games that Brady is suspended, they got another thing coming if they think they're going to run through the AFC East. You didn't even consider the Miami Dolphins, who arguably have just as good of a defense with a proven QB who many expect will take that top-10 leap and a bevy of offensive weapons to work with.

[Lornoth]

Lol, what was New England's record through the first four games of 2014? 2-2? 1-3? Believe me, even if NE starts out 0-4 for those games that Brady is suspended, they got another thing coming if they think they're going to run through the AFC East. You didn't even consider the Miami Dolphins, who arguably have just as good of a defense with a proven QB who many expect will take that top-10 leap and a bevy of offensive weapons to work with.

Did you just say Tannehill is going to be a top 10 QB?

[FalconFanSince1970]

You neglected the O-Lines mate. That's when it becomes clear the Jets Offense was much better. Also, you nit-picked the Bill's players best years in the league, some of which were 4, 5, and 7 years ago.

Oh yeah, and all of the Jets numbers were also reduced because Rex has no clue what he's doing on offense, though obviously we can't know what they could have been without him so I'll give you that one for free.

The NYJ and BUF Olines were similar last year. They added Richie Incognito which should strengthen the middle.

If you can't see that Shady McCoy, Sammy Watkins, Percy Harvin, Charles Clay, Robert Woods, Fred Jackson, Karlos Williams, Nick Oleary and Matt Cassel is an upgrade to the BUF offense, I can't help you.

Let's just see six months from now. I believe Rex will take a 9-7 team with the fourth best defense and new offense to higher heights. Maybe not a Bowl, but they should get to the playoffs for the first time in fifteen years.