'4-Peat?' Why's ESPN Hate the Bills in AFC East Race?

The Buffalo Bills have won the AFC East the last three seasons. So why does ESPN "hate'' their 2023 chances?

The Buffalo Bills have won the AFC East the last three seasons. Those three "trophies'' aren't likely sitting on the fireplace mantle at Josh Allen's place. But they should earn the franchise some respect as it attempts to "four-peat.''

Alas, the national media - which so loved the Bills on their climb to prominence - is suddenly giving Buffalo the stiff-arm.

What gives? There is actually an easy explanation. But first ... a sampling of what the critics are saying as the Bills report to camp, carrying with them the confidence that should come with being back-to-back-to-back winners of the AFC East.

Check out ESPN’s “Get Up,” where on a recent episode zero "expert analysts'' predicted the Bills to win the AFC East. Louis Riddick and Domonique Foxworth went with the Miami Dolphins. Harry Douglas and Mike Greenberg went with the New York Jets.

Does anybody else just love this so much? #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/Hpcwqezqlt

— Peter DiBiasi (@DibiasiPeter) July 19, 2023

Have the Jets closed what has been a wide gap between them and Buffalo? The Jets added future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, so ... maybe.

Have the Dolphins closed what has been an admittedly shrinking gap? Miami added cornerback Jalen Ramsey this offseason, so ... maybe.

But how do two "maybes'' suddenly mean the Bills - who also upgraded their roster and might very well have the best team in the AFC this side of Patrick Mahomes' Super Bowl Chiefs - are not a player in the AFC East?

Here's how: We all like our shiny new toys. AFC East watchers who aren't Buffalo fans have been-there/done-that with this group. So the national media is ready to turn the page, to move on, to build up somebody else who can eventually be torn down when they fall short. 

In the end, the Bills remain a very sensible pick to win the division - again. But we suppose they'll have to do it without any votes from the cast of "Get Up.''

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