In the latest edition of the Buffalo Rumblings Podcast, John Boccacino and co-host Anthony Marino do a deep dive into the 2018 schedule for the Buffalo Bills, providing week-by-week predictions as the Bills look to build upon last year’s successful 9-7 season that culminated in a playoff appearance for the first time in 17 years.
The pair initially and briefly discuss the disturbing allegations against star running back LeSean McCoy — a topic for a future podcast when all of the facts are known and more clarity has been provided on what actually transpired between McCoy and former girlfriend Delicia Cordon.
With the start of training camp two weeks away, Boccacino and Marino then went through the upcoming Bills schedule, offering insights and analysis on how the Bills will fare in their second year under head coach Sean McDermott.
The Bills haven’t made the playoffs in back-to-back years since the 1998 and 1999 seasons, which coincidentally enough was the last time Buffalo qualified for the postseason before last year’s run to a Wild Card appearance.
How quickly will the Bills offense gel under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll? Who will emerge as the starting quarterback in the three-man battle between former Cincinnati backup AJ McCarron, second-year man Nathan Peterman, and strong-armed rookie Josh Allen?
How does the offensive line step up and produce after losing 60 percent of its starters from 2017? How much improvement can the pass rush show with free agents Star Lotulelei and Trent Murphy? Can the secondary, led by Tre’Davious White, Micah Hyde, and Jordan Poyer, continue to be the strength of Leslie Frazier’s defense?
Unlike most pre-season prognostications (the MMQB predicted Buffalo to secure the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL draft following a 2-14 season), our podcast duo is rather bullish on the team’s chances of contending for a Wild Card berth in the AFC.
Both Boccacino and Marino expect a fast start for Buffalo, securing a win in Baltimore when the season begins Sept. 9. From there, the two podcasters have differing opinions on what will happen in the season.
Boccacino has the Bills rattling off a few surprise wins, including predicting a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers Sept. 16 in the home opener, and against the rival New England Patriots Oct. 29 on Monday Night Football.
Marino predicts the Bills will be 5-5 heading into their Week 11 bye, while Boccacino projects the Bills to bring a surprising 7-3 record into the bye.
What record do each of our podcasters feel the Bills will finish with, and where will Buffalo finish in its chase for a repeat playoff appearance?
Check out our Buffalo Rumblings podcast to find out! The Buffalo Rumblings podcast is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbay, Podfanatic, and practically everywhere podcasts are found.
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