The Buffalo Bills have been an NFL afterthought for well over a decade. The last time the Bills made the playoffs, the Houston Texans weren't a franchise and Bill Clinton was still the United States president. However, Buffalo appears primed to make a run towards the playoffs with a journeyman quarterback steadying the ship. With EJ Manuel failing to do his part, head coach Doug Marrone turned to Kyle Orton in hopes of glory.
Vikings vs. Bills 2014 picks and predictions: Kyle Orton tries to lead Buffalo to fourth win
Buffalo has not made the playoffs this century, but is trying to change that behind a veteran quarterback and a second-year head coach.
Tom Szczerbowski
Orton has been solid, completing 66.7 percent of his passes and throwing three touchdowns over his two starts. In those games, the Bills have scored 39 points, beating the Detroit Lions before losing to the New England Patriots. At 3-3, Buffalo faces a key stretch in which it plays the Vikings, Jets, Chiefs and Dolphins before a rematch with the Jets.
Minnesota is simply trying to build a foundation with a rookie head coach and quarterback in Mike Zimmer and Teddy Bridgewater respectively. At 2-4 and without Adrian Peterson, the Vikings are last in the NFC North but also have an important month ahead, facing the Bills, Buccaneers and Washington before their bye week. Bridgewater has thrown for 655 yards but is without a passing touchdown.
Outside of Bob Golic, the other 12 ESPN analysts all believe in the Bills to improve to 4-3 and maintain their second-place position in the AFC East. Over at CBS Sports, the majority think Buffalo will cover the 5.5-point spread, and all eight are siding with Buffalo to win outright. It was also a consensus pick of the Bills at USA Today.
The experts here at SB Nation are all with the Bills to continue their promising season with a win, save PFT Commentor who is rolling with the Vikings to pull the upset.
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