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How to Read this Chart

If any player name listed in the chart below is italicized, a team's grade will be expressed as a range instead of a single definite number. Italics indicate I have doubts about whether that player actually justifies inclusion within whatever category he's being associated with. Credible cases can be made for and against that player with respect to the criterion of the particular category where his name has been listed.
If a team's grade is expressed as a range, that range represents the worst-case scenario and best-case scenario. In the worst-case scenario, NO italicized player will be included in the scoring. In the best-case scenario, ALL italicized players will be included in the scoring.
Quarterbacks are evaluated either as a liability, adequate, or elite. The "adequate" label implies some measure of competence whereas the "liability" label implies that the quarterback is unable to play dropback football with any degree of competency.
Premiere Offensive Weapons are defined as high-performing skill players who add dimensionality on offense. The more ways a team can matriculate the ball downfield, the more names you will likely see listed here.
Elite Defensive Linemen are defined as truly dominant defensive linemen who can consistently control the line of scrimmage and consistently create havoc in the offensive backfield. Consistency of production is the main criteria used to evaluate pass rushers. Sacks, quarterback hits, tackles, batted passes, and turnovers are also considered here when assessing whether a given lineman can be considered elite.
Elite Coverage Defenders are defined as elite defensive backs or inside linebackers who excel at their particular role. Linebackers needs to show range in the flat, be able to cover flat receivers, and show up consistently in run support. Safeties need to show range and engineer turnover opportunities. Cornerbacks have to demonstrate an ability to shutdown most receivers that line up opposite them. It would also help if any of these coverage defenders have a knack for rushing the passer.
A successful comeback is defined as a game where a team mounted a scoring drive beginning in the fourth quarter to retake the lead and win the game OR a game where a team rallied back from a double-digit scoring deficit to eventually win the game.
Home field advantage is self-explanatory. In any postseason game between two teams from the same conference, the higher seed will always have home field advantage.

Buffalo Bills
Passer Evaluation	Josh Allen (Elite)
Premiere Offensive Weapons 1 point for the first player 2 points for the second player 4 points for each successive player	Josh Allen (Mobile QB) James Cook Khalil Shakir Amari Cooper Curtis Samuel
Elite Defensive Linemen 4 points per player	Gregory Rousseau Ed Oliver Von Miller
Elite Coverage Defenders 2 points per player	Terrel Bernard Matt Milano
Number of Successful Comebacks 2 points if the team successfully staged exactly 2 comebacks 3 points if the team staged more than 2 comebacks	3
Number of Comebacks Surrendered 2 points if the team surrendered exactly 2 comebacks 3 points if the team surrendered fewer than 2 comebacks	0
Tactical Edges Lost Only impacts a team's grade when that team is facing against another club listed here. The more teams listed here, the worse a team's odds of advancing	OffenseDefense Lions Chiefs Ravens Lions Chiefs
Tactical Edges Gained Only impacts a team's grade when that team is facing against another club listed here. The more teams listed here, the better a team's odds of advancing	OffenseDefense Rams Rams Ravens
GRADE	15 - 37

Buffalo stands as a championship contender here given their high seeding and their prowess on defense. Not to mention they've actually fared better this year at game management given their record on comebacks and lead maintenance.

But if there's one area they fall behind, it's the passing game - no one receiver or tight end excels as a pass catcher. If anything, Buffalo has been way too happy spreading the love around, which likely explains why the Bills set the NFL record last week when it comes to the number of different players to have recorded a touchdown for them this season. Khalil Shakir and Amari Cooper are probably their best options in the passing game, though the latter is bizarrely buried in the depth chart behind Mack Hollins. In fact, the fact that Hollins still sees more snaps than Cooper at this point leaves me a little concerned as to whether Cooper should even be considered for vector status.

Defensively, they may have just enough horses to dominate some teams this year. Now with Greg Rousseau emerging as a bona fide premiere pass rusher, Buffalo has that one truly elite defensive lineman they've been missing for a few years now. Add Ed Oliver's presence in the middle of the trench as well as Von Miller's presence on passing downs and you have the makings of a truly elite defensive line here.

Can they go far? Let's see.

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