10 Answers: What Needs To Happen For a Buffalo Bills Return To The Playoffs

(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Sending 10+ players to the injured reserve by midseason seems to be the norm in Buffalo as of late. And although it’s a convenient excuse as to why the Bills have struggled and failed to get back to the playoffs under Jauron, this is one trend that cannot continue in 2009.

At some point the strength and conditioning staff need to be held accountable, especially if we see another rash of injuries starting next month in camp.

Injuries are part of the game, and they’ll be some again in 2009, but at some point you need to win games and overcome them like all playoff teams do.

4. Edwards, TO, Evans and Lynch doing their best impersonation of Kelly, Reed, Loften, and Thomas

The news that Buffalo is going to utilize a no huddle offense in 2009 has brought tears of joy to many hard core nostalgic fans yearning for a return to glory. And even though it probably won’t be used more than 50 percent of the time, the personnel on the field needs to execute it early and often or it might be scrapped by midseason.

But regardless, many jaded fans are skeptical as to whether or not we’ll use it all. And there are definitely lofty expectations considering all the talk and hype about it this off-season, and if Jauron is serious about keeping his job than drastic change is needed regardless because his offensive philosophy the last three years has failed miserably.

It’s time for a chance one way or the other.

5. Taking advantage of the home field advantage

Cold weather teams are supposed to have a major advantage in their home stadium come November and December. But unfortunately the Bills have struggled in the cold weather at home the greater part of this decade, even against warm weather teams that aren’t supposed to win games in the north east.

This is going to have to change and change fast, especially since this team was near invincible at home during the glory years of the late 80’s and early/mid 90’s. Last year was a clever façade as the Bills started 3-0 at home, but then they went on to lose their last five including the Toronto "home" game.

What’s the point of playing games outside if you can’t win them? Might as well build a new dome in downtown Buffalo if this franchise stays put long term.

6. Continue to build on recent road success

One thing that hasn’t been talked about much under Jauron is the Bills road record. Jauron himself will tell you that it’s very difficult to win games in this league, especially on the road.

And his 10-14 record on the road isn’t too shabby when you factor in all of the losses against good teams that could have been wins with a better game plan and a healthy roster.

The Bills quietly went 4-4 on the road last year and were a J.P. Losman fumble away from finishing 5-3. If the Bills are going to make the playoffs in 2009 they are going to have to break even at minimum to have a chance.

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