The 2010 Buffalo Bills: How Many Games Can They Actually Win?

The 2010 season is just around the corner, and it seems that no one is giving the Bills anything better than a 4-12 record. Why is this? They have shown promise in the preseason, and aside from the tough NFC North portion of the schedule, the rest doesn't seem too bad... or does it? Lets take a look at the schedule and see how the Bills could actually fare in 2010, shale we?

Week 1: Miami Dolphins (home)

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MIAMI - AUGUST 14: Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall #19 of the Miami Dolphins misses a pass while playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sun Life Stadium during the preseason game on August 14, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The Bills kickoff the 2010 season at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday, September 12th at 1:00 pm. The home crowd will be cheering on the new, and hopefully improved Buffalo Bills in search of their first victory under the new staff headed by Chan Gailey.

Keys to the game:

1. Buffalo's ability to shutdown Brandon Marshall

2. The front seven keeping Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to minimal big gains

3. Pressure on Chad Henne

4. Trent Edwards' composure under pressure from the Dolphins young pass-rush

If the secondary can play like they did last season, the Bills should have no trouble keeping the dangerous Brandon Marshall covered. The problem occurs when the talented running game is introduced. If the Bills have a chance of winning on Sunday, they must contain the Dolphins run game.

Week 2: Green Bay Packers (away)

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GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers calls a play in the huddle against the Indianapolis Colts during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Colts 59-24. (Pho

The Bills hit the road to take on the Green Bay Packers in week 2 of the 2010 season. Green Bay comes into the 2010 season oozing with talent and astronomical expectations. The team will hurt for a portion of the season, losing SS Atari Bigby and CB Al Harris to injuries. The team does return with an explosive pass-rush, led by OLB Clay Matthews. He will look to improve on his stellar rookie season and help his team reach the Super Bowl that eluded them last year.

Keys to the game:

1. Pressure on Aaron Rodgers

2. (Insert defensive back here) vs. Jermichael Finley

3. Demetrius Bell vs. Clay Matthews

This game will be a tough one for the Bills, facing one of the most dominant offenses in the NFL. If they can score on the Packers' beat up secondary, and keep Rodgers' numbers down, they could pull out an upset. Although, that is no guarantee.

Week 3: New England Patriots (away)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 02: Tom Brady #12 and Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrate after teaming up for a first quarter touchdown against the New York Giants on September 2, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherfo

A name that has made the Bills cower in fear for a decade. The Patriots have had their way with Buffalo, pummeling them on both occasions last year... and the year before... and the year before... you get the point. The Patriots have Tom Brady, Randy Moss, a good offensive line, and a solid pass-rush. They may or may not have Wes Welker back at this point in the season, but they have plenty of faith in Julian Edelman to take his spot in the lineup, should he still be recovering. 

The Patriots do have a weak secondary this season though. Leigh Bodden was placed on IR earlier this week and will subsequently be out for the season. Other than the 1st rounder Devin McCourty, the Pats don't have much talent protecting the deep ball.

(On a side note, this will mark the first time the Bills will face hometown hero Rob Gronkowski. The local boy was a 2nd round draft choice out of Arizona).

Keys to the game:

1. Keeping Randy Moss from "running-show"

2. Pressure on Tom Brady from the young pass-rush

3. Edwards' ability to take advantage of a weak secondary

Personally, I don't think the Pats look as good as last year, on paper at least. We will see what they are made of come game time!

Week 4: New York Jets (home)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets in action against the Washington Redskins during their preseason game on August 27, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Imag

The highly advertised New York Jets will make their way to Orchard Park in week 4 to take on the Bills for their third divisional game in only 4 weeks. The Jets made headlines this offseason by signing big name veterans, such as: LT, Jason Taylor, and Antonio Cromartie. Will the big name squad be able to take the Jets over the top in 2010?

Keys to the game:

1. Darrell Revis' availability for the game/season

2. The Bills secondary being able to take advantage of Sanchez's poor decision making

3. The Bills offensive line vs. the Jets crazy blitz packages

Darrell Revis' holdout will most likely determine the outcome of this game, and the Jets' playoff hopes as well. Without Revis, the Jets secondary is average. The problem this game will occur when Rex Ryan decides to pull out his 3rd down overload blitz packages.

Update: It seems as though the Jets have signed Revis to a new deal... the Bills will have their work cut out for them.

Week 5: Jacksonville Jaguars (home)

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 27: David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars hands the ball to team mate Maurice Jones-Drew #32 against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 27, 2009 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Ima

The Jaguars come into town week 4 to take on the Bills at the Ralph. The team is headed by the explosive RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who will look to rough up the Bills anemic run defense. They come into the 2010 season with a revamped defensive line, headed by 1st round pick Tyson Alualu and veteran Aaron Kampman. The Jags are almost a mirror image of the Bills offensively: a stellar running game, a young and improving offensive line, one receiving threat, and sketchy QB play. Although the Jags may seem to have more talent on their roster, they haven't been able to crack the playoffs in recent years and seem to draft right around the Bills every April.

Keys to the game:

1. Shutting down Maurice Jones-Drew

2. Putting up points on a weak defense

The Bills vs. Jaguars games are almost always good ones, the games are close, entertaining, and both teams seem to be right around the same point in their development. If the Bills can keep Jones-Drew from big gains, they could pull out a win.

Week 6: Bye

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DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 02: Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey watches the action during the fouth quarter of the preseason game at Ford Field on September 2, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Bills 28-23. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

The Bills have a couple weeks to prepare for a tough game in Baltimore.

Week 7: Baltimore Ravens (away)

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BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 20: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball during the game against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium on December 20, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bears 31-7. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images

Chan Gailey and his Buffalo Bills head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens for their week 7 matchup. The Ravens are one of the most explosive teams in the NFL, the offense lead by QB Joe Flacco, and the defense lead by LB Ray Lewis. The recent signing of WR T.J. Houshmanzadeh will give Flacco even more firepower, already having Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason as dangerous targets. The ground game isn't one to be reckoned with either with RB's Ray Rice, Willis McGahee (former Buffalo Bill), and LeRon McClain. What is seemingly the only weak point on the Ravens defense is the secondary. Sure they have Ed Reed, but other than him, the team is either rehabbing from injuries or surgeries, or just mediocre. 

Keys to the game:

1. Front seven vs. Ray Rice

2. Joe Flacco vs. the Bills secondary

3. Baltimore's front seven vs. the Bills "three-headed monster"

4. Trent Edwards throwing away from Ed Reed

At this point in the season, we will have gotten a very good look at CJ Spiller, Fred Jackson, and Marshawn Lynch. I am assuming that all three will still be on the roster, and that each will be given a respectable number of carries.

Week 8: Kansas City Chiefs (away)

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DENVER - JANUARY 03: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High on January 3, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Ah, the Kansas City Chiefs, one of the few teams Buffalo beat last season. The Chiefs return with a similar roster, but they do have some new weaponry in RB/WR Dexter McCluster and S Eric Berry. Much like Buffalo, the Chiefs have been in a rebuilding mode for a few years now and are slowly but surely making strides. The teams success will revolve around QB Matt Cassel's progression in his second season as starting QB for Kansas City.

Keys to the game:

1. Taking advantage of a weak and inexperienced Chiefs defense

2. Stopping Jamal Charles

This is one of the few games that the Bills SHOULD win, but don't underestimate KC this year, they may be young, but they have a solid secondary that is now headed by Eric Berry.

Week 9: Chicago Bears (Toronto)

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 21: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears looks for a receiver against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Raiders defeated the Bears 32-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Gett

The Bills-Toronto Series continues with a matchup against the Chicago Bears. What will the Mike Martz offense be able to do in 2010? Will Jay Cutler become the passing machine he was in Denver? Will Matt Forte rebound after a sophomore slump? Will the Bears defense be able to regain its prowess as one of the best units in the NFL? Only time will tell, and we will see first hand from Toronto.

Keys to the game:

1. Pressure on Jay Cutler

2. Keeping Julius Peppers away from Trent Edwards

3. Shutting down Matt Forte and Chester Taylor

If the Bills offensive line can take Julius Peppers out of the equation, then Trent Edwards should be able to find holes in a weak Bears secondary. If Peppers is allowed to wreak havoc in the pocket, it could be a long night for the Bills.

Week 10: Detroit Lions (home)

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DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 02: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the start of the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on September 2, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

After playing the Lions during the 2010 preseason, the Bills should be licking their chops in preparation to face the Lions again. The Bills first team was able to beat the Lions into the ground on both sides of the ball, the game was lost when the reserves entered the game. The game will be determined by whichever rookie RB (Best, Spiller) is able to find more holes.

Keys to the game:

1. Jahvid Best vs. CJ Spiller

2. Calvin Johnson vs. the Bills secondary

3. Ndamukong Suh vs. the Bills offensive line

At this point in the season, Best and Spiller will probably be a couple of the top choice for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Both should be used as big play backs in this game, but the determining factor will be the Bills offensive line's ability to hold their own against the new-and-imporved Lions pass rush.

Week 11: Cincinnati Bengals (away)

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CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: Terrell Owens #81 and Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals look on against the Dallas Cowboys during the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium on August 8, 2010 in Cant

The Bills will face the Bengals and WR Terrell Owens for the first time since his departure following the 2009 season. Owens and Ochocinco will like to make the best of the Bills strong secondary, while RB Cedric Benson get the ball moving on the ground.

Keys to the game:

1. Bills front seven vs. Cedric Benson

2. Jermaine Gresham vs. the Bills defensive backs

3. CJ Spiller repeating his preseason performance

The winner of this game with depend on execution. If Buffalo can keep Gresham out of the passing game and Benson to minimal gains, then the Bills have a shot. If they cannot execute their coverages, it'll be another long one.

Week 12: Pittsburgh Steelers (home)

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PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: Safety Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates his touchdown with defensive end Brett Keisel #99, safety Tyrone Carter #23 and linebacker LaMarr Woodley #56 against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter o

Troy Polamalu and Big Ben Roethlisberger come to town to take on the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Coming into the season with a stellar defense and a solid offense, the Steelers are always a playoff favorite. With Big Ben serving a four (4) game suspension, he will undoubtedly be back to midseason form by this point in the season... bad news.

Keys to the game:

1. Keeping Rashard Mendenhall from running all over the defense

2. Pressure on Ben Roethlisberger

3. Keeping pressure off of Trent Edwards

The rock solid defense will probably prove too much for the Bills offense, and thus, result in a loss. But if Buffalo can put up some points on the "weaker" part of the defense (secondary) they could keep it close.

Week 13: Minnesota Vikings (away)

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: (L-R) Bryant McKinnie #74, Brett Favre #4 and Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings stand in the offensive huddle against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2

The Buffalo Bills will face Brett Favre for the first time since his short tenure with the Jets back in 2008. The Vikings offense is loaded with WR's Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, and Bernard Barrian. Oh, and lets not forget about the always-dangerous Adrian Peterson. The Vikings also bring one of the best defensive lines to the table, along with a respectable linebacking corps. The weak spot on the opposition (like most of the others) seems to be the secondary.

Keys to the game:

1. Brett Favre's health / getting pressure on him

2. Keeping AP under wraps

3. Demetrius Bell vs. Jared Allen

4. Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin, will they be healthy?

This is one, if the not the toughest game the Bills will play all season. The outcome will undoubtedly result in a loss, unless the team becomes riddled with injuries.

Week 14: Cleveland Browns (home)

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 2: Phil Dawson # 4 of the Cleveland Browns kicks a field goal against the Chicago Bears during the preseason game on September 2, 2010 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bears 13-10. (Photo by Jus

The Cleveland Browns return to Orchard Park to take on the Bills after one of the most dismal games in Bills history. The icy cold matchup of last season resulted in a 6-3 victory for the Browns after a muffed punt by Bills returner Roscoe Parrish. The Browns new regime, under Mike Holmgren, will look to rebound after a terrible 2009 campaign with new QB Jake Delhomme. The Browns defensive unit is also improved, with the signing of LB Scott Fujita, and first round pick CB Joe Haden.

Keys to the game:

1. Scoring more than 3 points

2. Keeping Jerome Harrison from big gains

3. Taking advantage of the Browns young secondary

Should be a winnable game for the Bills. But I wouldn't underestimate the Browns offense led by Jake Delhomme, they can be crafty, especially with Josh Cribbs in the wildcat formation.

Weeks 15-17: See Previous Divisional Games

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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 13: Trent Edwards #5 of the Buffalo Bills hands the ball off to C.J. Spiller #21 during the preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on August 13, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

The Bills finish off their 2010 season with three straight divisional games. The only differences in those games will be whether or not the Jets and Pats are resting their starters, and whether or not those teams are fighting for a playoff spot.

Conclusion

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 01: A fan dressed as the Star Wars character Chewbacca watches the Buffalo Bills game against the Houston Texans at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 1, 2009 in Orchard Park, New York. Houston won 31-10. (Photo by Rick Stewart/

With all of the given information, what do you think will happen to the Bills in 2010? Leave your comments, and share your opinions!