How long can Bills remain Super Bowl contenders? - ESPN

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — A year ago, the Buffalo Bills were preseason favorites to reach the Super Bowl.

Optimism was high after they filled a major hole by signing pass-rusher Von Miller, finished 2021 with the league's top defense, and watched quarterback Josh Allen go without an interception during a postseason that ended with a close loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Last season, the Bills did win 13 games and a third-straight AFC East title while dealing with a series of physical and mental hurdles along the way: the death of Dawson Knox's brother, Luke; two deadly Buffalo-area snowstorms; major injuries to Micah Hyde (neck) and Miller (right ACL); and safety Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest during a Week 17 game that was ultimately canceled. Their postseason ended with their worst performance of the year in a 27-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

After the disappointing finish — and four-straight playoff appearances without reaching a Super Bowl — a new question arose: Was the Bills' title window starting to close?

Some players have acknowledged thinking about it. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs agreed there's an urgency for the team to win its first Super Bowl.

«100 percent,» Diggs said during training camp. «I also was on a team that had a window just like that. When I was in Minnesota [2015-19], we had a real window. We had the No. 1 defense and a good offense — good offensive scheme as well, great coaches. We had a great year, an OK year, a good year, an OK year. So, seeing that window and this is a way different team than that team. That's where some of the frustration could come from. I've been here before....

»Obviously, I want to take those next steps and get in there."

The conversation about the Bills' window only