Buffalo Bills

0-0Power Rank#30

AI Summary

Buffalo enters 2026 in a new era after firing Sean McDermott following a gutting divisional-round overtime loss to Denver, promoting longtime OC Joe Brady to head coach and installing first-time NFL defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard to overhaul the defense. Josh Allen, a 2025 MVP finalist coming off 3,668 yards and 25 total passing/rushing scores, remains the engine of the offense and now has a reunion with Brady's old Carolina weapon, WR DJ Moore, acquired via trade to fix an inconsistent 2025 receiver room. The Bills debuted their new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium with a 29-14 preseason win over Carolina, and oddsmakers have them tied with Baltimore as the second-best Super Bowl favorite behind the Rams. Camp has been shadowed by a string of lower-body injuries across the roster as Brady pushes an 'extremely tough' first camp as head coach.

Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026

Real Efficiency KPIs

Offensive EPA/play

+0.136

#3 of 32

Defensive EPA/play allowed

-0.016

#13 of 32

2025 regular season, 1065 offensive / 950 defensive plays. Source: nflverse play-by-play (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season. This is a prior-season baseline — this team's 2026 numbers will replace it once real Week 1 plays exist.

Key Players (2025 production)

Leading Passer

Josh Allen · QB

319/460, 25 TD, 10 INT

+71.3 passing EPA

Leading Rusher

James Cook · RB

309 car, 1621 yds, 12 TD

+5.6 rushing EPA

Leading Receiver

Khalil Shakir · WR

72/95, 719 yds, 20% target share

+7.5 receiving EPA

Leading Pass Rusher

Greg Rousseau · LB

7 sacks, 23 QB hits

Leading Tackler

Cole Bishop · SAF

52 solo, 32 assist

Leading Interceptor

Cole Bishop · SAF

3 INT

Source: nflverse player stats (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season; team attribution updated for documented 2026 offseason trades. Prior-season baseline, not 2026 in-season stats.

Key Storylines

Sean McDermott fired after nine seasons; OC Joe Brady promoted to head coach on a five-year deal
First-time NFL defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard hired to replace McDermott's longtime scheme
Traded a 2026 second-round pick to Chicago for WR DJ Moore, reuniting him with Brady from their Carolina days
Opened brand-new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium with a 29-14 preseason win over Carolina, Josh Allen leading scoring drives
Camp battles at left guard (Austin Corbett vs. Alec Anderson) and backup QB (Kyle Allen vs. Shane Buechele) amid a wave of lower-body injuries

Injury Report

Khalil Shakir · WR
Out
Held out of the joint practice with Cleveland and Preseason Week 2 with an injury, per HC Joe Brady (Aug. 20).
Ed Oliver · DT
Out
Sidelined for the joint practice with Cleveland and Preseason Week 2 with an injury, per HC Joe Brady (Aug. 20).
Dawson Knox · TE
NFI list
Started camp on the Non-Football Injury list with a hamstring issue; missed the first week and has been easing back into practice.
Maxwell Hairston · CB
Questionable
Dealing with a lower-body/knee injury that has limited him for stretches of camp.