Coming out of the bye week, the Bills will face a Panthers team that has exceeded expectations, followed by matchups with the Chiefs and a meeting with the NFC-leading Buccaneers down the road.
The Bills’ 2025 slate includes six teams that advanced to the playoffs a season ago, while 11 of their games this season are against opponents that recorded a losing record in 2024.With six of their games coming against what were expected to be three lowly AFC East foes, and another three matchups scheduled against what has historically been one of the worst divisions in football — the NFC South — the No.
1 seed appeared to be a fait accompli for the Bills. And after a 4-0 start, expectations for the team skyrocketed.The Bills’ outlook has started to appear a whole lot different after two straight defeats, with the team exhibiting deficiencies on both sides of the ball, leading to ample cause for concern moving forward. With everything considered, here is a prediction for the Bills' remaining regular-season schedule and where they will find themselves entering the playoffs.Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle runs the ball during a game at MetLife Stadium. / Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThe Panthers have impressed this season, winning three games in order to forge a head of steam entering this week’s game against the Bills. Carolina has ridden a strong running game throughout its recent spurt of success. This will not be an easy game for Buffalo.Oct 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes passes the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn ImagesAfter a rough start, the Chiefs are back. Wide receiver Rashee Rice has returned from suspension, while Patrick Mahomes has awoken from his early-season slumber. Kansas City is once again a Super Bowl favorite.Oct 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa runs with the ball during the first half at Huntington Bank Field. / Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesNFL expert teases Bills' trade for former 2nd-round pick to bolster CB position Oct 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield runs on the field at Raymond James Stadium. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesQuarterback Baker Mayfield is one of the favorites to earn NFL MVP at season’s end, recording a torrid stretch to start the regular season. Todd Bowles has the Buccaneers clicking on all cylinders, making this one of the most difficult matchups remaining for the Bills this year.Oct 5, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre celebrates a fumble recovery against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. / Rafael Suanes-Imagn ImagesIt will be interesting to see where the Texans find themselves when Week 12 rolls around. Their defense has performed well, while their offense has been inconsistent throughout the season. All that being said, this is a team that beat the Bills a season ago, making it an intriguing matchup.Week 13 | Pittsburgh Steelers The Steelers’ offense has displayed flashes of brilliance behind 40-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but the Pittsburgh defense has resembled a sieve through the first seven weeks of the season. All in all, the Steelers have outperformed expectations through their first six games. This is far from a daunting matchup for Buffalo, but one it must account for down the stretch.Oct 16, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase gestures after making a first down against the Pittsburgh Steelers. / Joseph Maiorana-Imagn ImagesIt’s highly unlikely that the Bengals will get starting quarterback Joe Burrow back in time for their meeting with the Bills. But after acquiring new backup QB Joe Flacco via a trade before a Week 7 win over the Steelers, this team has become a whole lot more viable than it was in the first several weeks following Burrow’s injury.New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel talks to quarterback Drake Maye during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. / Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThe Patriots already beat the Bills once this season and now sit alone atop the AFC East while also holding the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bills. Quarterback Drake Maye completed 91% of his passes during a win over the Tennessee Titans, setting a new franchise record, and it now appears the sky is the limit for the young signal caller. It’s time to take this team for real as a true contender to take the divisional crown from Buffalo.Oct 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins rushes against the Miami Dolphins at Huntington Bank Field. / Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesThe Browns have a solid defense, but their offense is anemic and is unlikely to present a significant challenge in this game. There is a chance we may see Shedeur Sanders under center for this game, which is the only thing that could give Cleveland a glimmer of hope against the Bills. But even that is a stretch.Oct 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs the ball at U.S. Bank Stadium. / Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesThe Eagles put it all together during a win over the Vikings on Sunday. There is a question as to whether or not this game will mean much to either team in Week 17, particularly the Eagles. With that said, with the way things have gone for the Bills in recent weeks, it would not be shocking if they are fighting for their playoff lives in this one.Oct 19, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn reacts in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium. / Robert Deutsch-Imagn ImagesIf the Bills’ playoff hopes are still in question entering the season’s final week, they’ll be lucky to have drawn a matchup with the worst team in the NFL. The Jets have been a train wreck under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn.At the end of the day, it's just too tough to trust the Bills right now. They can't stop the run or pass defensively, while their offense has hit the skids in recent weeks. With significant reason to worry on both sides of the ball, this team will have to prove its ability to overcome some of its warts before it can be once again considered as a bona fide contender for a conference title. Fortunately for the Bills, they have 10 more games to prove themselves worthy of the high expecatations many had for them at the outset of the season.TV analyst serves up stinging, 'panic button' criticism of 'light in the box' BillsAlex Brasky is editor of Bills Digest and host of the Buffalo Pregame podcast. He has been on the Bills beat the past six seasons and now joins Sports Illustrated hoping to expand his coverage of Buffalo’s favorite football team.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback benched after disastrous startJustin Fields was benched after a brutal start to against the Panthers.
Read more »
Bills vs Panthers Predictions - Early Picks & Odds for Week 8Our Bills vs. Panthers predictions back Buffalo to cover on the road in Carolina.
Read more »
Scourton's Breakout Performance Powers Panthers' Victory Over JetsDefensive end Scourton had a standout performance in Week 7, recording his first career sack and finishing with 1.5 quarterback takedowns, contributing to a dominant defensive showing that led to the Panthers' 13-6 victory over the Jets. Scourton consistently won matchups, and his pass-rushing efficiency was significantly above league average. This performance suggests the lightbulb is starting to come on for the rookie, who was drafted to bolster the Panthers' pass rush.
Read more »
Bryce Young Week 8 Injury Update: Panthers QB Suffers High Ankle Sprain Vs. JetsCarolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young suffered a high ankle sprain during a win over the Jets in Week 7.
Read more »
Bills learn what to expect from Panthers after downing rival JetsBuffalo will visit Carolina in Week 8 after a bye week
Read more »
Aaron Glenn Hasn't Decided If Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor Will Start in Week 8Fields was benched for Taylor in Sunday's loss to the Panthers.
Read more »