At long last, the Buffalo Bills will play a regular-season game. On September 8, the team kicks off its 60th season, and 50th in the NFL, with a date against their longtime rivals, the New York Jets.
When the game begins, there will be plenty to watch for, given that it’s the third year of head coach Sean McDermott’s tenure. Traditionally, teams (or at least the fans of teams) target the third year as the one to make a move in the standings. With that in mind, much of the focus will be on the players in key positions that McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane have added over the course of the last three years.
Which specific players will we be watching this week? Here is a short list of the Bills’ key contributors.
QB Josh Allen
Seriously, who else is more important to the team as a whole than the franchise signal-caller? If The Bills are going to make the leap from plucky also-rans to annual competitors, their quarterback will need to make the leap from below-average passer to a league-average one (at least). Allen’s final stretch in his rookie year showed promise, as he increased his yards per game total (138.7 in his first 6 games, 207 in his final 6), his touchdown to interception ratio (2:5 in his first 6 games, 8:7 in his final 6), and his quarterback rating (61.8 in his first 6 games, 72.6 in his final 6). However, his completion percentage was still poor, and he finished the year only completing 52.8% of his passes.
A better offensive line and a better receiving corps should help Allen to improve in that last area, and by doing so, his peripheral numbers will all look better. If his numbers are better, it stands to reason that the Bills’ offense will improve, as well—which should lead to a marked improvement for the team overall. While the first game of the 2019 season only represents Allen’s thirteenth career start, it’s a huge game in his early career. If Allen comes out accurate and efficient, moving the ball against the Jets’ defense at will, it will set the tone for what should be a much-improved year for the immensely talented quarterback.
RB Devin Singletary
Fair or not, Singletary’s rookie season will be closely scrutinized, as it was his emergence during the preseason that Beane cited when speaking about the release of veteran LeSean McCoy. If McCoy goes on to have a big bounce-back year with the Kansas City Chiefs and Singletary struggles, many fans will (perhaps rightfully) question the decision to move on from the future Hall of Fame back. However, if Singletary comes in and provides immediate quality work out of the backfield, he can show that the decision was the right one.
Aside from Singletary’s performance, his usage will also be noteworthy. Beane said that the team plans to go running back by committee, so watching how Singletary mixes with veteran Frank Gore and receiving specialist T.J. Yeldon will be interesting. If Singletary touches the ball 10-15 times and shows that he can be relied upon to pick up tough yards, he can continue to endear himself to fans who were happy with his solid preseason.
OT Cody Ford
Speaking of important rookies, Buffalo’s second-round pick is probably slated to start the year at right tackle. If he can deal with edge rushers of all types with minimal assistance from tight ends and running backs, then it will really open up the Bills’ ability to use those players in the passing game. Ford has struggled at times with speedier players, but his tenacious motor and mean streak have been on full display this preseason. A revamped offensive line will be a major focal point in general, but I’ll be watching the right side especially close to see how the rookie performs.
DT Ed Oliver
Sensing a pattern yet? Another of Buffalo’s new toys is the ninth overall pick, the man tapped to replace franchise legend Kyle Williams as the only new starter on the league’s reigning No. 2 defense. Oliver has shown flashes of the athleticism and toughness that made him such a steal a nine overall, and he’s even drawn double-teams from his three-tech spot during the preseason. Buffalo drafted him to dismantle offensive lines from the inside, and if he can come in and command the interior, it will go a long way towards making Le’Veon Bell’s return to regular-season action a miserable one.
K Stephen Hauschka
Yes, I will be holding my breath when Hauschka lines up for his first kick of the day. Of course, he’ll only have to kick five extra points in a 35-0 victory (or so I hope!), but I’ll still be looking to make sure that the veteran kicker—who just signed a two-year extension with the club—is full-go after an inconsistent-at-best preseason.