Buffalo Bills 2018 Season Recap

During the NFL season, our team of 300-plus staff spend around 20,000 man-hours grading and analyzing every play of the NFL season, from the kickoff in the Hall of Fame game to the final play of the Super Bowl.

Now that the 2018 season is officially in the books, we can now take a look back at the season through the eyes of each NFL team and using the grades and statistics that we have compiled, we and detail what went right, what went wrong and explain what that team has to look forward to.

Below is the 2018 season recap for the Buffalo Bills.

Overview

After their first playoff appearance this millennium, the Bills took a step back offensively and finished the 2018 season with a 6-10 record.

What went right?

• Undrafted free agent Robert Foster came up big for the Bills down the stretch. Over the last seven games of the season, Foster racked up 511 yards and three touchdowns.
• Fellow undrafted free agent Levi Wallace came out of nowhere as well. He allowed a 52.6 percent catch rate after coming into the lineup in Week 10.

• Linebacker Matt Milano took the next step as a dependable three-down linebacker. He went from a 60.3 overall grade as a rookie to 76.2 in year two.
• Jerry Hughes was once again at the top of his game. Hughes led all edge defenders in pass-rushing productivity.

What went wrong?

• The quarterback play did not go as hoped. Nathan Peterman was once again a disaster. While rookie first-rounder Josh Allen made plays with his legs, he had the second-lowest passing grade among rookie quarterbacks.
• The Kelvin Benjamin trade proved to be a bust as the wide receiver only hauled in 23 of 60 targets before being cut.

• Tre'Davious White suffered a bit of a sophomore slump. He committed 10 penalties after only three as a rookie, and his pass-breakups declined from 13 as a rookie to just five this year.

• Rookie linebacker Tremaine Edmunds didn’t quite hit the ground running. He earned a 57.4 overall grade and was below 60.0 in both run defense and coverage.

Highest Graded offensive player

WR Robert Foster – 72.1

After hauling in only two catches on seven targets the first nine weeks of the season, Foster brought in 25 of 37 from Week 10 on. He had three 100-yard games down the stretch and established himself as their most reliable threat.

Highest graded defensive player

Edge Jerry Hughes – 88.7

Hughes took over games at times this past season. He racked up 13 pressures against the Vikings, nine against the Texans, and eight against the Jaguars.

Breakout player/Secret Superstar

S Micah Hyde – 84.0

It’s time to start talking about Hyde as one of the best safeties in the NFL. He’s now earned coverage grades of 90.4 and 88.4 in his two seasons with the Bills.

Key Rookie

CB Levi Wallace – 83.5

Wallace didn’t even take a snap until week 10. After that though, he allowed only 10 catches on 19 targets and one touchdown on 416 snaps. 

In conclusion

If the Bills can add some talent offensively and have Josh Allen take the second-year leap, they’ll be back in the playoff conversation.