The Buffalo Bills’ game against the Los Angeles Rams is the likeliest NFL Opening Night matchup, per sources. With the Denver Broncos’ game against the Rams officially announced for Christmas afternoon, Buffalo is the logical choice.
Each year, the NFL’s league champion opens the following season at home against a big-time opponent to kick off the season with a bang. The Rams’ home slate seemed devoid of star power outside of a pair of teams—the Bills and their quarterback Josh Allen and the Broncos and their brand new QB Russell Wilson. The Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott would be a worthy option, but they opened the season in 2021 against the champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
When Buffalo made a splash move, signing the NFL’s active career sack leader, former contestant on Dancing With the Stars, AND prominent former Ram that Los Angeles wanted to keep in the fold—Von Miller—they upped the stakes and made it much more likely they would be the team. There are so many storylines at work, and the Bills promise to deliver huge ratings.
It’s not confirmed yet, but we’re writing it in really dark pencil on our paper copy.
Here is the stuff we’ve been able to confirm so far. When our sources can confirm the Week 1 matchup, we will add it to the table.
2022 Buffalo Bills schedule
| Week | Day | Date | Time | Opponent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week | Day | Date | Time | Opponent | Notes |
| Pre-1 | Saturday | Aug 13 | 4:00 PM ET | INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | It's been 30 years since Colts HC Frank Reich led the Bills to the Greatest Comeback in NFL History |
| Pre-2 | Saturday | Aug 20 | 1:00 PM ET | DENVER BRONCOS | How much will Russell Wilson play? |
| Pre-3 | Friday | Aug 26 | 7:00 PM ET | @ Carolina Panthers | Lots of connections still exist between the two franchises |
| 1 | Thursday | Sep 8 | 8:30 PM ET | @ Los Angeles Rams | NFL's Opening Night Game! Von Miller returns to L.A. |
| 2 | Monday | Sep 19 | 7:15 PM ET | TENNESSEE TITANS | Fifth straight season playing Tennesse, but first time in Buffalo since 2018 |
| 3 | Sunday | Sep 25 | 1:00 PM ET | @ Miami Dolphins | Bills have won seven straight vs Miami |
| 4 | Sunday | Oct 2 | 1:00 PM ET | @ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens play four straight vs AFC East to open 2022, last faced each other in 2020 AFC Playoffs |
| 5 | Sunday | Oct 9 | 1:00 PM ET | PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Lost to Pittsburgh to open the 2021 season, could see former Bills QB Mitch Trubisky under center |
| 6 | Sunday | Oct 16 | 4:25 PM ET | @ Kansas City Chiefs | National TV game, Bills fell to KC in AFC Divisional Round last season |
| 7 | BYE | Earliest bye in AFC East | |||
| 8 | Sunday | Oct 30 | 8:20 PM ET | GREEN BAY PACKERS | Aaron Rodgers beat Josh Allen for MVP in 2020 and 2021, Allen shut out in first start vs GB during rookie season |
| 9 | Sunday | Nov 4 | 1:00 PM ET | @ New York Jets | Last meaningful loss to Jets was in Josh Allen's rookie season, but Jets won in final week of 2019 when Bills clinched playoff seeding |
| 10 | Sunday | Nov 13 | 1:00 PM ET | MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Stefon Diggs was traded to the Bills by Minnesota in 2020 |
| 11 | Sunday | Nov 20 | 1:00 PM ET | CLEVELAND BROWNS | Most people think DeShaun Watson will be available for this game despite pending litigation for sexual assault |
| 12 | Thursday | Nov 24 | 12:30 PM ET | @ Detroit Lions | Bills are playing on Thanksgiving in 3 of past 4 seasons, they are currently 2-0 in those contests |
| 13 | Thursday | Dec 1 | 8:15 PM ET | @ New England Patriots | Bills didn't punt, turn over the ball, or kick a field goal in their last game against NE -- only touchdowns, game on Amazon Prime |
| 14 | Sunday | Dec 11 | 1:00 PM ET | NEW YORK JETS | Jets QB Zach Wilson was 7-of-20 for 87 yards, while taking 8 sacks, vs BUF in 2021 |
| 15 | Sat/Sun | Dec 17/18 | Flex | MIAMI DOLPHINS | Game day and time TBD due to NFL Flex, last December home loss to Miami was 2016 |
| 16 | Saturday | Dec 24 | 1:00 PM ET | @ Chicago Bears | Former Bills starting QB Nathan Peterman signed in Chicago this week |
| 17 | Monday | Jan 2 | 8:30 PM ET | @ Cincinnati Bengals | Bengals were the AFC rep in Super Bowl last year |
| 18 | Sat/Sun | Jan 7-8 | Flex | NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Game day and time TBD due to NFL Flex, but Week 17 MNF means Saturday is less likely |
| WC | TBD | Jan 14-16 | TBD | TBD | |
| Div | TBD | Jan 21-22 | TBD | TBD | |
| AFC | TBD | Jan 29 | TBD | TBD | |
| SB | Sunday | Feb 12 | 6:30 PM | TBD | It's on FOX and from Glendale, Arizona |
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