​The Buffalo Bills enter the 2026 NFL season with championship expectations, but ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck believes that creates a unique challenge. Speaking on NFL on ESPN, he said the regular season has almost become secondary for Josh Allen‘s team.“I think it’s a difficult part about this, because it’s almost like the regular season becomes a formality,” Hasselbeck said.MORE: Is Tom Brady-Logan Paul slap incident foreshadowing WWE showdown?Hasselbeck compared Buffalo’s situation to previous Baltimore Ravens teams that dominated the regular season but faced constant postseason scrutiny.“No one cares inside the organization, fan base, or around the league,” Hasselbeck said. “It’s like, yeah, that’s great. But what about the postseason? Because that’s been the problem.”The Bills finished 12-5 last season before losing 33-30 in overtime to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round. Allen remained one of the league’s top quarterbacks, throwing for 3,668 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also rushed for 579 yards and 14 scores while earning another Pro Bowl selection.Buffalo also led the NFL in rushing offense with 2,714 yards and ranked first in passing defense, allowing only 156.9 yards per game. Despite those numbers, another playoff exit overshadowed an impressive regular season.Playoff expectations now define Buffalo Bills’ successBuffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen celebrates a touchdown in a win over the Raiders.The offseason brought major changes after Sean McDermott’s departure. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady became the Bills’ first-year head coach, adding another layer of pressure.Hasselbeck warned that postseason expectations can reshape an entire season.“All of the pressure gets pushed to right then,” he said. “I think it’s a scary place to be.”He pointed to the early-2000s Philadelphia Eagles, explaining how repeated playoff failures made every regular-season win feel less meaningful.Hasselbeck closed with another warning for Buffalo.“I would just say for the Bills, what’s scary about that is you’re doing it with a first-year head coach, which I think is a pretty tall task,” Hasselbeck said.MORE: Buccaneers’ Yellowstone bison attack NFL promo gets major backlashHasselbeck’s comments reflect the reality surrounding Allen’s career. The quarterback has already proven he can produce MVP-level football and consistently reach the playoffs.Now, the standard has shifted beyond statistics or division titles. Until Buffalo reaches the Super Bowl, every regular-season accomplishment will likely serve as preparation for the games that truly define the franchise’s championship ambitions.