AFC East: Ranking the running game—the New England Patriots rush ahead

No. 3: Buffalo Bills

Strength:  The strength of the Bills' rushing game is not particularly in its run blocking or its running backs but in how the run game is complemented by an outstanding QB in Josh Allen and an above-average receiving group led by WR1 Stefon Diggs and soon-to-be-star TE Dalton Kincaid. Cynthia Frelund, NFL Networks Analytics expert, ranks the Bills offense going into 2023 as one of the top 10 in the league.

Weakness: Over-reliance on Josh Allen. With his passing and running, Allen opens everything up for the Bills' rushing game. If Allen ever gets hurt with his scrambles (and I hope he stays healthy), the Bills' offense will be nothing like it is with him in there.

X-Factor: Damien Harris. Only two years ago, in 2021, Harris rushed for 959 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry for the Pats. After playing only four seasons and with only 106 carries in 2022, Harris still has plenty of miles left on his legs. Harris provides another option for the Bills and may push Cook for RB1. Buffalo coach Sean McDermott said of the Harris signing:

"The biggest thing is the speed element. We felt like we needed a slightly bigger back, but not a 250-pound cloud of dust type of guy. So to find a player with some size, with some power, but also has the speed element to go along with it, I think that's hard to defend."

- Sean McDermott