Buffalo Bills Continue Slide Down ESPN's Power Rankings

A preseason favorite to win the Super Bowl, at this point the 5-4 Buffalo Bills and struggling quarterback Josh Allen are simply trying to stay in the Top 10 of the NFL power rankings.

From the shocking walk-off punt return touchdown on the first Monday night of the season, things haven't gone according to plan for the Buffalo Bills.

Injuries to key members of the defense and inconsistent play from the entire offense have the preseason Super Bowl favorites shockingly in the middle of the pack as the NFL season begins its second half this weekend.

After last week's loss in Cincinnati, the Bills are a mediocre 5-4 and quarterback Josh Allen - a favorite to win league MVP two months ago - is tied for the most interceptions in the league with nine.

With Super Bowl odds put on the back burner, the Bills simply will be trying to stay above .500 when they host the Denver Broncos Monday night at Highmark Stadium.

With only the 8th-best record in the AFC, surprisingly the Bills haven't slipped under water in ESPN's Power Rankings, as they come in at No. 11.

The Philadelphia Eagles remain No. 1, and the Bills trail six AFC teams in the Kansas City Chiefs (2), Baltimore Ravens (3), Miami Dolphins (4), Jacksonville Jaguars (6), Bengals (7), and Cleveland Browns (10).

That leaves the Bills 11th, at a point in the season when they expected to be atop the conference if not the entire NFL.

Says ESPN of the Bills' fall from grace: "For all of the inconsistencies that have plagued the Bills' offense this season, it's hard to imagine where the unit would be without Stefon Diggs. He is consistently making splash plays, such as a 34-yard gain on the opening drive against the Bengals that got the Bills moving downfield, and is arguably the most reliable performer on an offense that is dealing with its share of issues. Diggs leads the team in almost every receiving category (70 receptions for 834 yards and seven touchdowns), and getting Diggs the ball is a recipe for success."

It's not that simple, obviously. But, yes, involving Diggs more will help the Bills climb up the power rankings higher.