Preview of the Buffalo Bills First Preseason Game

Tonight is the Buffalo Bills’ first preseason game versus the Detroit Lions. With this being preseason, some key players won’t play in this game or will have limited snaps. It’s a great opportunity for the younger players and some of the lesser-known players to get noticed in an attempt to make this team.

Players not expected to play

First and foremost, there will be no Josh Allen or Dion Dawkins in this game, no question, as the coaching staff already announced this. It’s a smart move because it’s just the first preseason game. There is no need to send your QB1 out there and take a chance of him getting hurt. The other key players who probably won’t play include Zack Moss, Matt Milano, Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, and most of the starting secondary.

In my opinion, Zack Moss won’t play because he is coming off an injury in the playoffs and was still on the injury report during camp this week. Once again, there is no need to be sending players out there and risk them getting hurt. The same case for Diggs and Milano, both were on the injury report this week in camp, and there is no need to rush them back. Finally, I expect that most of the secondary won’t play because they are veteran players who know the system well. Now let’s move on to some young guys and other players that I expect to play well.

Offensive players to watch

To start on offense, the coaching staff has been pretty excited to get Jake Fromm some in-game reps. I think I’m more excited to see Mitch Trubisky. I am curious to see how he performs in the Bills system.  I’d like to see Mitch make this team both for his mentoring as well as the play I believe he still has in him.  

Some other players on offense will make plays today, including Jake Kumerow, Spencer Brown, and Antonio Williams. With the expected starters out this game, these players are likely to take more snaps. Both Kumerow and Williams have some NFL game experience, and I expect them to produce in this preseason game. Kumerow will make some big catches and be a downfield threat to help open up the defense. Williams will continue to run hard and fight for extra yards. I believe that he will lead the Bills in rushing yards in this game. Brown is a big body and has a lot of fire in him. I expect him to go out there and create movement on the offensive line.

Front seven and who to expect

On defense, expect to see approximately one quarter of Greg Rousseau and Boogie Basham along with defensive linemen like Star Lotulelei. Expect to see some good pass rush moves from both of the rookie rushers. My prediction is that we will see at least one sack out of them. In the Linebacking core, expect to see Tyler Matakevich and Tyrel Dodson. Both of these players have had good flashes at camp in the run game. Expect them to play a larger role in the run defense.

Secondary players

Some players that I believe will show out on defense are Tariq Thompson and Dane Jackson. Both players are athletic and make good plays on the ball. I’m counting on one of them to have either an interception or a deflection leading to a turnover.

Overall, it might be preseason and it won’t be the starters but I believe that the Bills will win the game by a score of 24-13. Go Bills!