Published on: October 15, 2025, 08:15h.
Updated on: October 15, 2025, 08:15h.
- Bills face Super Bowl odds drop after consecutive defeats
- Allen falls to third in MVP rankings behind Mahomes and Mayfield
- Bills enter bye week with coach urging a fresh start from “ground zero”
As the NFL season progresses and the trade deadline approaches on November 4, it’s become an opportune moment for hot takes. The Buffalo Bills are currently on a bye week, which is a timely relief for a squad that is beginning to show significant cracks in its foundation.
Falcons Overpower Bills
The Bills suffered a discouraging 24-14 defeat against the Falcons, who completely dominated the match. At no point in the game did the Bills seem poised to mount a comeback. With two consecutive losses, they now stand at a record of 4-2 and are in second place in the AFC East, trailing the Patriots. For long-time Bills fans, being behind the Patriots in the standings is a daunting scenario.
However, this is not the formidable Tom Brady-led Patriots of years past. They now feature quarterback Drake Maye, a promising talent who’s making waves—ranking fifth in league passing stats with 1,522 yards, a 73.2% completion rate (second only to Jared Goff of the Lions), and ten touchdowns (tied for ninth with five other quarterbacks). Observers agree: Maye is rapidly becoming a proficient deep-ball passer.
Struggles for the Bills
If the NFL playoffs were to begin today, the Bills would find themselves on the road. This season is characterized by high expectations—a Super Bowl-or-bust mentality. Criticism of the Bills’ performance against the Falcons was harsh; quarterback Josh Allen was relentlessly pursued by the Falcons’ defense, suffering four sacks. By early in the second quarter, the Falcons had amassed 21 points, raising concerns about the Bills’ defensive capabilities.
This slump could just be a rough patch in a lengthy season. Many sportsbook analysts seem to share that sentiment. At ESPN BET, the Bills retain their position as Super Bowl favorites, currently listed at +600 odds. The Chiefs have seen their odds improve from +800 (fourth best on Sunday morning) to +600. They are now the most wagered team for the Super Bowl at ESPN BET, followed closely by the Packers at +700 and the Lions at +775.
Decline in MVP Chances for Allen
The MVP odds landscape has shifted: Patrick Mahomes has shortened his odds to +200, Baker Mayfield is at +300, while Allen has dropped to third place, now sitting at +325 (down from +140 before Sunday). Consecutive losses can heavily impact perceptions, and it’s worth noting the emergence of Maye, who was a 50/1 underdog to win MVP before the season but is now fourth at 11/1.
Concerns regarding Allen, the reigning MVP, are becoming increasingly vocal. Fans worry that the franchise isn’t providing him with the necessary support to maximize his prime years, notably at the wide receiver position. This brings into question the team’s potential activity as the trade deadline approaches.
McDermott Calls for a Reset
Running back James Cook has faced limited opportunities, registering just 17 touches for 87 yards against Atlanta. Injuries are compounding the issues; wide receiver Joshua Palmer is listed as week-to-week due to an ankle injury, while Curtis Samuel is hampered by neck and rib issues. Their availability for the upcoming game against the Panthers on October 26 remains uncertain. The lack of breakout talent among the wide receivers is proving costly for the Bills.
Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones is also week-to-week, and tight end Dalton Kincaid, along with linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard, are day-to-day, according to head coach Sean McDermott.
Post-game, following the dismal performance against the Falcons, McDermott emphasized the need for the team to “start from ground zero.” He conveyed uncertainty about how many injured players would return in time for the next game against Carolina.
Potential Receiver Trades?
“We possess the potential to elevate our performance, and that’s imperative,” McDermott stated. “With the bye week on hand, we have an opportunity to dive deeper into our strategies, identify problems, and collaborate with our coordinators on solutions. This includes assessing personnel to ensure we have the right players in place to execute effectively.”
Fans remain haunted by a poorly executed end around play pitched to Elijah Moore on a critical third-and-two situation during the fourth quarter. This misstep highlighted a lack of competence—troublesome for a team eyeing the Super Bowl.
Following the game, Allen remarked: “If it’s successful, it’s a great play. If not, it’s not. If we ran the ball straight ahead and it failed, it wouldn’t be viewed as a positive play either. The finer details are critical, and we need to improve.”
Allen’s Frustration
“We need to perform better than this, and next time we must manage the game more effectively,” McDermott remarked. “Every new season begins at ground zero, so we have to ensure our foundation is solid for what lies ahead.”
“In the last two games, we’ve seen some flashes of brilliance, but there’s a pressing need to dig deeper and evaluate our fundamentals: from daily practices to strategy meetings and player expectations.”
With Palmer and Samuel sidelined, and uncertainty surrounding Kincaid, the Bills must assess what Keon Clark can bring to the table.
If the Bills decide to pursue a wide receiver ahead of the trade deadline, names like Jakobi Meyers of the Raiders, known for his deep-route capabilities (29 receptions for 329 yards thus far this season), could be on their radar. Meyers had expressed a desire to be traded from Las Vegas. Additionally, D.J. Moore from the Bears, who is seeing a rise in QB Caleb Williams’ performance, is another name to watch.
Bills Still Sought After at BetMGM
How about considering a big swing, perhaps trading for A.J. Brown, one of the league’s top receivers, who seems dissatisfied in Philadelphia? Saints WR Chris Olave could also be a key prospect.
According to BetMGM, after being listed at +200 to win the AFC post-Week 6, the Bills are now at +300, while the Chiefs come in at +325 and the Patriots trail at +1700.