Buffalo Bills Have “No Chance” If Sammy Watkins Falters

The Buffalo Bills have had a curious offseason to say the least, but at the core of things they still remain a team that seems just out of postseason reach.

Once again their entire coaching staff and front office has been overhauled. Sean McDermott is tasked with finally ending the longest playoff drought going in the NFL. Problem is he’s inherited a division with the Patriots in it, for starter. Then there’s the matter of his offense.  It’s not that the unit is bad. There are a number of quality names headlined by LeSean McCoy, Cordy Glenn and Tyrod Taylor. It’s not a great group, but it’s a good one.

The one man who can make it a great group is also the one who is the most unreliable. That is wide receiver Sammy Watkins. For years he’s teased some incredible talents in speed and athleticism. Most expected him to be starring by now. Yet thanks to a series of injury setbacks he still hasn’t gotten rolling.

Andy Benoit of the MMQB believes that if he can’t do so in 2017, the Bills don’t have a prayer of doing anything of note.

"“If Sammy Watkins doesn’t have a big year, the Bills have no chance. No matter how good your ground game is—and Buffalo’s can be great, with McCoy, Taylor’s mobility and an athletic O-line—you can’t mount drives and score points in the NFL without an aerial attack.”"

This would seem to indicate that Benoit is not a big believer in 2nd round pick Zay Jones. That’s no surprise. Few people even knew about the East Carolina receiver until he lit up the Senior Bowl earlier this year. Low expectations are something he thrives on. At the same time it’s unfair to expect him to carry a load Watkins has said frequently he’s capable of. So far his body hasn’t been able to cash that check.

All of Buffalo prays this year will be different.