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Bills' Best Asset Not Enough NFL Experts Are Talking About Responsible for 5-1 Start

The Buffalo Bills have won multiple close games already this season, and one particular unit has consistently proven superior to the opponent's each time.

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It's a sometimes forgotten aspect of the game that was emphasized by Buffalo Bills' Hall-of-Fame head coach Marv Levy.

For as good as the Bills' offense has been through the first six games of the 2026 season, the special teams have been nearly flawless. Buffalo currently ranks second overall in the DVOA metric measuring special teams production and efficiency.

In fact, Buffalo has been so brilliant in that one-third of the game that special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers earned Bills' Assistant Coach of the Year honors in On SI's bye week superlatives.

Making the production even more impressive, it's not only one or two areas where the Bills' specialists are thriving during the team's 5-1 season start. Buffalo has enjoyed efficient across the board from kicking, punting, returning, covering kicks and winning the field position battle in key spots.

Oct 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Joe Andreessen (44) reacts after a blocked Los Angeles Rams field goal during overtime at SoFi Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"Loving the way, the confidence that our special teams is playing with and the standard that they kind of showed and have to keep going," said head coach Joe Brady in the aftermath of the Week 6 road win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Of note, Ray Davis leads the NFL in kickoff return average (31.0) and Tyler Bass has made all 13 field goal tries.

Realistically, the Bills' special teams can claim credit for turning the tide in three of the five victories. Their special teams play was clearly superior on the road in Weeks 5 and 6.

Bills 36, Texans 31 (Week 1)

The Bills went on the road and pulled out a season-opening victory with plenty of help from the kicking game. In his first game in more than one year, Tyler Bass hit all three field goals in his return. Meanwhile, seventh-round rookie punter Tommy Doman netted 54.5 yards per punt on two boots.

Sep 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Keleki Latu (83) quarterback Josh Allen (17) safety Damar Hamlin (3) tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) and tight end Dawson Knox (88) celebrates the 36 to 31 win over the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Bills 37, Rams 34 (Week 5)

Ray Davis opened the primetime affair by returning the Rams' kickoff 70 yards, setting up an early Bills' field goal. Then, in overtime, Greg Rousseau blocked a 48-yard game-winning field goal attempt by the Rams to give the Bills new life on Monday Night Football. On the ensuing possession, Bass ended the marathon by nailing a 45-yard field goal coming out of the two-minute warning.

Oct 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Buffalo Bills place kicker Tyler Bass (16) kicks a game winning field goal during overtime against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Bills 33, Raiders 30 (Week 6)

Bass made all four of his field goal attempts in the road win over the Raiders. His first three-pointer, which capped Buffalo's opening possession, was set up by a 40-yard kickoff return by Davis. Doman punted twice during the victory, forcing two fair catches by Las Vegas.

Oct 18, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Greg Dortch (19) returns a kick in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
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