NFL Roundtable: Is it time to take the Buffalo Bills seriously?

Every week we sit down with BetAmerica Extra columnists Ashley Anderson, James Scully and Scott Shapiro to discuss the latest news from around the NFL. This week they weigh in on Antonio Brown's future, the Patriots' scary-good defense and the suddenly relevant Buffalo Bills.

Antonio Brown says he's done with the NFL. Is the NFL done with him?

Ashley: I’m sure a few teams are desperate enough to consider signing Antonio (pending the results of the NFL’s investigation), but after witnessing his antics over the past month—particularly on social media—it’s too much of a risk. I wouldn’t be shocked to see a team or two reach out to him next year, but Brown will need to do a whole lot of work on himself between now and next season to prove he’s worthy of another chance.

James: Teams like to avoid major distractions, and Antonio Brown may have played his last game in the NFL. He appears to have lost any semblance of humility and his latest actions—calling out owner Robert Kraft and blasting the league for alleged double standards—are prime examples that the supremely talented receiver is not worth the trouble.

Scott: Despite the wild antics from Antonio Brown over the last several weeks, I am afraid that if he decides to play again in the NFL, at least a couple teams would be interested. For some owners the desire to win and sell tickets trumps all else. If the talented wide receiver wants to return, he will have a few suitors.

The Patriots' defense has yet to allow a touchdown this season. Is that a reflection of the miserable competition they've faced, or are they truly a force to be reckoned with?

Ashley: I’m a Pats fan, so of course I want to believe they’re just that good, but do the games against the Dolphins or the Jets count for much? No. The fact the Pats held the Steelers to a field goal was impressive, and they allowed James Conner to run for just 21 yards on 10 carries. Looking at the schedule, we’ll be seeing the same level of dominance by the defense for a little while longer. Games against the Ravens, Eagles, Cowboys and Chiefs will prove whether New England is just that good. I’m not ready to call it the No. 1 defense in the league, but it’s certainly up there in the conversation.

James: New England’s defense is a force. The schedule gets more difficult in the second half of the season, with road games at Baltimore, Dallas, Houston and Philadelphia, and a home game against Kansas City, but the Patriots can rely on their elite defense to carry them if the offense ever struggles.

Scott: There is no doubt that the Super Bowl champions have played weak competition to start the year, but they are truly a force to be reckoned with. They have a ton of talent and experience and are led by the greatest coach of all time. Scoring on this group will be a challenge all year long.

The Bills and 49ers are both 3-0. Which team has surprised you most?

Ashley: It’s difficult to call it a “surprise” either team is 3-0 when you look at the schedule. The Bills beat Eli Manning and the Giants and projected bottom-dweller Cincinnati, but they probably would’ve lost to the Jets had C.J. Mosley played the full game. The 49ers also had the advantage of opening the season against a shaky Tampa Bay offense, playing Cincinnati Week 2 and taking on the Steelers without Big Ben. I consider the 49ers more surprising, though, based on their margin of victory and the play of their defense.

James: San Francisco. Opening with a tricky slate, the 49ers were a candidate to start slowly with a host of new players and Jimmy Garoppolo returning from a major injury. They have not been flawless, but San Francisco looks like a serious contender for the NFC West crown. Buffalo, meanwhile, has faced three offensively inept foes.

Scott: Based on the competition, I am not surprised either team is 3-0, but I certainly had higher hopes for the 49ers heading into 2019. The Bills have a great defense, but they are led by a second-year signal caller and have a lack of playmakers on offense, outside of wide receiver John Brown. Expect them to come back down to earth over the next several games. San Francisco is a team I thought was a sneaky pick to win the NFC West behind Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers should continue to win games and make the playoffs.

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