Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills were hoping to get into the playoffs last season, but that didn’t end up happening. They ended the season with an 8-8 record, which was good for third in the AFC East division. Buffalo has put together an improved roster from last season, and the expectations are high once again.

Looking ahead to the 2016 season, there are many reasons for the Bills’ fan base to be excited.

Tyrod Taylor will once again be the starting quarterback, while LeSean McCoy will return as the starting running back. Sammy Watkins should bounce back from a disappointing 2015 season. Add in Shaq Lawson and Reggie Ragland to an already talented defense and the Bills are going to be a tough team to score again.

Buffalo will have a tough division to go through once again this season. New England is going to be a powerhouse like normal, and both the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets improved this offseason as well.

That being said, what five bold predictions can be made for the Buffalo Bills heading into the 2016 NFL season?

[Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini]

Tyrod Taylor Breaks Out for 4,000 Passing Yards, 30 Passing Touchdowns

All offseason long, questions have been asked about whether Tyrod Taylor is truly a franchise-caliber quarterback. Some believed that the Bills would consider moving on from Taylor via trade. That obviously didn’t end up happening, and Taylor will break out with a 4,000-yard passing season to go along with 30 touchdowns through the air.

LeSean McCoy Breaks 1,000 Yards Again and Becomes Top-Five Rushing Back

Last season was a bit of a struggle for LeSean McCoy, as he finished the season with just 895 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He will get back to dominance in 2016 and will break 1,000 yards once again. We’ll go a step further and predict that he will end up being a top-five back when it comes to rushing yards.

Sammy Watkins Puts Up 1,200 Yards, 15 Touchdown Receptions

Sammy Watkins dealt with nagging injuries last season and was dragged down by them at times. He still came through with a solid all-around season, but he will take his game to the next level in 2016. Watkins will finish the season with at least 1,200 receiving yards to go along with 15 touchdown catches as well.

[AP Photo/Bill Wippert]

Rex Ryan Wins the 2016 NFL Coach of the Year Award

There is no denying how good of a coach Rex Ryan has been throughout his career. He is not the most liked head coach around the league, but being liked doesn’t make a good coach. Ryan will once again prove that he is one of the top coaches in the league and will end up winning the 2016 NFL Coach of the Year Award.

Buffalo Bills Will Finish Regular Season with 10 Wins and a Playoff Appearance

After years of waiting, the Bills’ fan base will finally get to see their team in the playoffs again. Buffalo will finish the season with at least 10 wins and will get into the postseason. They may not end up winning the AFC East division title, but they will find a way to slip into the playoffs as a Wild Card team.

Expect to see the Bills be a much-improved team from the squad that they were last season. Ryan and company are going to be an entertaining team to watch as well. Things are finally looking bright again for the Bills, and fans should buckle up for a great season.

Do you think that the Buffalo Bills will make the NFL playoffs during the 2016 season? What are your thoughts on the five bold predictions that we have listed above? Let us know in the comment box below!

[Photo by Matt Rourke/AP Images]