Coming into the 2026 NFL season, there may not be another team across the AFC, let alone the league, with more pressure to win than the Buffalo Bills .
Gone is long-time coach Sean McDermott after years of falling short in the playoffs, and in is Joe Brady, who the team promoted. With Brady now in the mix, Buffalo has more expectations than ever.
Josh Allen still mans the offense , and he will be looking to keep building on his impressive career. But the Bills got him some added offensive weapons, trading for star wide receiver D.J. Moore over the offseason.
This should help Allen take some of the burden off e verything, with the Bills being a more well-rounded team. Allen has been relied upon far too heavily at times in his career, and it has backfired on Buffalo.
Many people see them as a top team in football, with most believing they are in the top-three at worst. This also puts more pressure on this group, with 2026 being a full Super Bowl-or-bust year.
Multiple NFL executives worked with analyst Mike Sando of The Athletic to rank teams across the AFC entering the new season. Within the rankings, the Bills came in ranked as the top team, just barely edging out the Denver Broncos.
But one executive sees the Houston Texans as a competitor for Buffalo for the top spot.
"My hardest choice was Houston-Buffalo (for the top spot)," another exec said. "The defensive change (under new coordinator Jim Leonhard) helps, they're a little more violent defensively, a little more athletic defensively. And then it's a top-flight offensive line, and then DJ Moore is going to make an impact."
Allen has lived up to the hype, but he will need others to step up for this team to finally reach the Super Bowl. The star quarterback can't do it alone, and with Brady leading the charge, the hope is that things will be different this time around.
The Bills star gives the team a chance to win each time out, and Buffalo is ready for the challenges ahead this season.
"Josh Allen is the best player in the league," one exec said.
If the Bills play up to par, they should again be a top team in the league. Buffalo will be looking to reclaim the AFC East title, falling short of winning it last season.
But in the end, the Bills don't care where they land, as long as the year ends with them hoisting up the Lombardi Trophy.
