ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 10: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks to pass against the Chicago Bears during the first half of a preseason game at Highmark Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
Don’t worry Mafia, you made it. The wait is over. The Buffalo Bills play football on Sunday as they welcome the Arizona Cardinals to Highmark Stadium. Unlike past years, we don’t know what to expect from this Bills squad, so let’s take a look at the top storylines going into this Week 1 matchup.
New Weapons Bring Big Questions For Both Teams
The biggest question for both teams going into this game starts with their new offensive weapons. For the Bills, we’ll see how they can operate without Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady made it clear that the offensive would look different as they brought in weapons with a different skill set than years past. The most notable is rookie Keon Coleman. The 6’3″ wideout has the size and ball skills to be a game-changer. Fans shouldn’t have high expectations for Coleman, but don’t be surprised if he has a big play or two.
The Bills didn’t just add in the draft. Wide Receiver Mack Hollins comes over from Atlanta and should fill the Gabe Davis role of a big play threat and great blocker in the run game. While Hollins is a player to watch, his expectations aren’t as high as the other free agent signing, wide receiver Curtis Samuel. Samuel has had two stints in Carolina and Washington with some lackluster quarterback play. Now, he gets a superstar quarterback in Josh Allen and is expected to be used in a multitude of ways. Fans should watch for him to be involved early with screens, handoffs, and quick passes so he can show his ability with the ball in his hands.
On the Cardinals side, we’ll get to see the usage of top-five selection Marvin Harrison Jr. As the son of a Hall of Fame receiver, he comes in with high expectations. He is a refined route runner that is a threat at all times. The word “generational” has been used to describe the rookie. Expect quarterback Kyler Murray to look for him early and often. The Bills will have their hands full as they prepare to defend the Cardinals with their new weapon.
No Milano, No Problem
On the defensive side, the Cardinals and Bills have very different expectations. For the Cardinals, they are still in the middle of their defensive rebuild. With BJ Ojulari, they are left with a lot to be desired on the defensive line. The Bills offensive line should be able to exploit that on the ground. Their secondary and linebacking corps aren’t much better, but they do have superstar safety Budda Baker. Josh Allen is an aggressive quarterback, so he’ll have to be aware of where Baker is at all times.
Just like the offense, the Buffalo defense has new questions to answer. With Jordan Poyer in Miami and Micah Hyde unsigned, they brought in new faces to replace them. Taylor Rapp is back, now a full-time starter. However, there are some questions about who the season-long answer will be next to him. They drafted Cole Bishop in the second round and signed veteran Mike Edwards. Both of them will compete with Damar Hamlin, who is the listed starter for week one. I’d expect a mix between the three against the Cardinals to give them different looks.
The biggest question for the Bills: Who will step up to replace Matt Milano? Milano is out until at least December. They’ll have to use a rotation of linebackers to fill that hole. He’s not an easy player to replace but it appears that Dorian Williams will get the first opportunity. Veteran Nicholas Morrow is a proven leader who can step in, but after him, there is a lot of youth at the position. Rookies Edefuan Ulofoshio and Joe Andreessen have a chance to make a name for themselves when called upon, but they are also competing with second-year linebacker Baylon Spector. It’ll be a battle until Milano is ready to go.
Gameday Expectations
It’s no secret who is favored as Buffalo opens the season as 6.5-point favorites against Arizona. The Bills still have the second-best quarterback in the NFL in Josh Allen and a top defensive coach in Sean McDermott. The Cardinals added some talent this offseason but are still a ways away from contending. The Bills have been known to start the season opener slow, but being at home allows them to feed off of the fans. This game can go a million ways, but it should end with a Buffalo Bills win.
