Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The wins and losses don’t matter once the regular season starts, but the Buffalo Bills will still be looking for their 10th-straight preseason win on Saturday when they take on the Denver Broncos.
Here are five things I’ll be watching for:
Stay healthy
Quarterback Josh Allen is going to start, and most starters will play “a healthy amount,” according to head coach Sean McDermott. Exactly who and how much is unclear, but that is still understandably going make a lot of fans nervous.
Last year, Allen played one half of the final preseason game and threw the ball 26(!) times. Thankfully, he got out of the game with no injury concerns.
That’s going to be first-and-foremost on the minds of fans when they see him, and other starters as they take the field on Saturday.
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Rookie class
Can the 2022 rookie draft class back up their strong performances from last week’s game against the Indianapolis Colts?
From first-round pick Kaiir Elam to sixth-rounder Christian Benford, both corners were tested and played well. Wide receiver Khalil Shakir led all pass catchers on either team with 92 yards, and had the third-most in the entire league. Matt Araiza had the 82-yard punt seen around the world. Linebacker Terrel Bernard returned a fumble for a touchdown. Fellow linebacker Baylon Spector led all players in the game with nine total tackles.
Running back James Cook didn’t play much, and offensive tackle Luke Tenuta played every snap and was probably the only player who notably struggled at times.
That’s a pretty darn good debut for the group as a whole. Now let’s see if they can do it again.
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Speaking of rookie cornerbacks…
While they are competing for a starting spot, Elam and Benford both stepped up and made plays individually last week.
With Tre'Davious White still not activated and his status for Week 1 unclear, both rookies are squarely in the spotlight and may have to manage high expectations, not to mention high-pressure situations.
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier told the media this past week that Dane Jackson is ahead of both of them, so it appears the third-year corner would be the starter opposite White when he returns. But if he doesn't before the regular season begins, the second spot is still up for grabs.
The ideal situation is for both Elam and Benford to play well, obviously, but it will be notable if one struggles or one does something to separate from the other.
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Hodgins? Kumerow?
Shakir is, no doubt, locked in on the final 53-man roster, but there appears to be, at least, one wide receiver spot at the bottom end of the depth chart still up for grabs.
Isaiah Hodgins led all receivers in the entire league last week with nine catchers. He looked really good, and has had a strong training camp.
However, whoever grabs that last wide receiver spot is going to have to contribute on special teams. That's something Jake Kumerow does a lot of, lining up for over 60% of the special teams snaps a year ago.
If Hodgins is going to make a case for the roster, he'll have to continually show he can handle, at least, some of that. He played eight special team snaps last week, while Kumerow, who also fumbled the ball after a catch on offense, did not play any.
It's going to be interesting to see how that sorts itself out this week, and how both of them play overall.
Tight end battle
Starting tight end Dawson Knox is not expected to play as he mourns the loss of his younger brother, Luke, this week. That means Tommy Sweeney, O.J. Howard and Quintin Morris should all see significant time, and all are squarely in the mix to make the roster.
The team may decide to keep only two tight ends on the final 53, or they may keep three. Obviously, Knox will be one of them. The other three all have different traits and skill sets.
It's going to be an interesting two weeks for the position, leading up to the final decision. Saturday is a big day for the group.
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