Buffalo Bills: Complete 2011 Season Schedule Preview

The Buffalo Bills struggled last season, as expected and finished with a 4-12 record, falling short of the playoffs for the 11th straight year.

This year, they hope to get off to a better start and improve with a healthier team and young players who they selected in this year's NFL draft.

Here is your complete 2011 Buffalo Bills season schedule preview.

September 11 at Kansas City Chiefs

Bills lead the series (23-18-1)

First game at Arrowhead stadium is not an easy place to play in. What makes it even more difficult is the Bills had the worst defensive line in football, while the Chiefs were the best rushing team.

The addition of Marcell Dareus will help but can't make that big of a difference in the first game of the season.

September 18 vs. Oakland Raiders

Raiders lead the series (19-18)

Another AFC West team and another team that is going to want to run the ball down the Bills throat. Like the Chiefs, if they can slow the run down and force a couple turnovers they'll have a chance.

Not too farfetched to see the Bills start the season off at 2-0

September 25 vs. New England Patriots

Patriots lead the series (61-40-1)

The Bills have lost the last 19 of 20 games against the Patriots, including the last 15 in a row. Buffalo was third in limiting passing yards last season, but limiting Tom Brady is a different task. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick and company are going to have to put up points or this could get ugly.

October 2 at Cincinnati Bengals

Bills lead the series (15-11)

The Bengals are a mess right now, especially at the quarterback position.

The Bills have won the last ten games against Cincinnati. I don't see them getting their act together anytime soon, the Bills should win this game but that's why they play the game.

October 9 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles lead the series (6-5)

This game could get ugly quick as Michael Vick and company come to town. The Bills defense is going to have to play the game of their life if they want to stand a chance in this one.

Buffalo simply does not have enough offensive power to stay in this game.

October 16 at New York Giants

Bills lead the series (6-5)

This is a game that the Bills could win, if they're able to put pressure on Eli Manning and force some mistakes. If that defensive line can't get to him, the Giants will win, if they do, Bills win.

Defensive backs Drayton Florence and Jairus Byrd need to make some crucial interceptions.

October 30 vs. Washington Redskins

Bills lead the series (7-5)

Another game the Bills should win. Coming off a bye week, at home, against a team that is having problems at the quarterback position.

The Bills have won the last five games in this meeting, no reason they shouldn't make it six.

November 6 vs. New York Jets

Bills lead the series (54-47)

The Bills are more than capable at stopping the pass and causing problems for Mark Sanchez. But can they stop the run?

They will also need to score on that tough defense as well.

Going to be a tough game, but the Bills should be able to stay in it till the very end.

November 13 at Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys lead the series (7-3)

A trip to Jerry's world, to take on the high powered offense of the Dallas Cowboys. Once again the Bills can stop the pass and force Tony Romo into some mistakes.

The Bills should be able to score some points on a suspect Dallas defense.

November 20 at Miami Dolphins

Dolphins lead the series (54-39-1)

This is probably the best chance for the Bills to earn a divisional victory, against a team that is having quarterback issues.

That Dolphins defense is going to be tough to score on, though. Should be a well fought game like it usually is.

November 27 at New York Jets

Bills lead the series (54-47)

Three road games in a row for the Buffalo Bills, it ends with a trip to New York to take on the Jets.

Game plan is the same as the last time they played them, but it's going to be tough.

December 4 vs. Tennessee Titans

Tennessee leads the series (26-16)

This will really test that defensive line when they have to try and stop Chris Johnson. With quarterback Kerry Collins retiring, rookie quarterback Jake Locker should be starting this game.

If the Bills can slow CJ down, they should take advantage of the rookie and cruise to victory.

December 11 at San Diego Chargers

Chargers lead the series (21-12-1)

That secondary is really going to be tested in this game, as they travel to sunny San Diego to take on the Chargers and Phillip Rivers.

Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller should get a ton of carries as they try and keep him on the sidelines.

December 18 vs. Miami Dolphins

Miami leads the series (54-39-1)

Home games in December are huge advantages for the Bills, especially against teams like the Miami Dolphins.

With the snow and wind, this could be a sloppy game but the Bills should be able to squeeze out a victory.

December 24 vs. Denver Broncos

Bills lead the series (19-15-1)

Who is going to be the quarterback for Denver, Kyle Orton or Tim Tebow? Either way, the last home of the season, a win would defiantly be a nice Christmas present to every Bills fan.  

January 1 at New England Patriots

Patriots lead the series (61-40-1)

I'm sure this is not the last game of the season the Bills wanted.

Maybe by this time the Patriots have their playoff seeding all locked up and they rest their starters. If not, this could be bad news for the Buffalo Bills.

Overall

Drafting Marcell Dareus will definitely help a brutal defensive line that gave up an average of 169 rushing yards a game which was worst in the league. The Bills did not pick up a quarterback in the draft, but Ryan Fitzpatrick did show some potential last year to where he can lead the Bills again this season.

Running back C.J. Spiller is expected to get more touches this season and help take some of the workload off Fred Jackson.

Overall, the Bills have a very tough schedule and could fall somewhere near the 4-win total they reached last season. The best thing Buffalo could do is finish last and earn the number one overall pick in next year's draft to select Stanford's quarterback Andrew Luck.