Bills Central

NFL Hall of Famer strongly doubts Buffalo Bills' Super Bowl chances

Cris Carter appeared on Up and Adams on Monday.
Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) warms up before game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) warms up before game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Media pundits across the NFL reacted strongly to the Buffalo Bills’ comeback win over the New England Patriots, with many of them declaring the Bills as a Super Bowl favorite.

However, that group did not include Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter, who has significant doubts regarding the Bills’ championship chances.

RELATED: Buffalo Bills' historic streak remains intact following Chiefs' playoff elimination

Shouting down

Carter appeared on Up and Adams on Monday and explained why he feels it is a long shot for the Bills to win a Super Bowl this year.

“Defensively, they’re not a championship team,” he began. “They don’t have a No. 1 receiver. So, we think they’re going to be able to run the ball, where Josh Allen just ad-libs to be able to go make this happen?”

He continued, “You’ve been seeing this build for the last few years. But this is the worst Buffalo team over the last three years. And just because (Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and other premier quarterbacks) are out of the playoffs doesn’t mean Super Bowl. We keep adding one plus one equals two. But sometimes, in the NFL, it doesn’t. Sometimes, one plus one equals zero.”

MORE: James Cook makes 'Super' bold predictions after Bills' Week 15 win over Patriots

Josh Allen
Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) walks off of the field after a game against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Too many holes

Carter then broke down the Bills’ roster, explaining that the only special piece of the team is the quarterback.

“They don’t have a great unit,” added Carter. “They have a great player. But they don’t have a great unit. Their special teams is not great, their offense is not a great unit. Their defense is not a great unit. So, how can they get the right matchups in the playoffs, and they’re going to have to do that on the road.”

The Hall of Fame receiver believes the Bills are one year away from becoming a championship team.

“Let’s add some pieces — Keon Coleman didn’t pan out,” he said. “You still need a top-flight receiver. All the injuries they’ve had on the defense. Those are real things.

“I love (James) Cook. I love their running game. I love Josh’s ability to ad-lib and make plays. But as far as winning a Super Bowl — can they go to the playoffs? Are they a tough out? Yes. But are they going to win the Super Bowl? No.”

RELATED: Buffalo Bills' chances of winning AFC East vastly improved after win over Patriots

Sean McDermott
Dec 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott reacts in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Super Bowl odds

So, while most around the league are gearing up for what is expected to be an epic Bills run, Carter expects this team to maintain the status quo, leaving its fan base in limbo for yet another long offseason. It would be a nightmare scenario for members of Bills Mafia who have been waiting for decades for their team to finally slay the dragon and secure a Lombardi Trophy.

Time will tell whether Carter will be proven right, but his bold stance is not what Bills fans want to hear after two straight incredible comeback victories. Buffalo currently sits at +800 to win the Super Bowl, per FanDuel, with their odds trailing only two NFC teams, the Seattle Seahawks (+700) and Los Angeles Rams (+350).

— Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —

More Buffalo Bills News:


Published
Alex Brasky
ALEX BRASKY

Alex Brasky is editor of Bills Digest and host of the Buffalo Pregame podcast. He has been on the Bills beat the past six seasons and now joins Sports Illustrated hoping to expand his coverage of Buffalo’s favorite football team.

Share on XFollow alexbrasky