Buffalo Bills vs Carolina Panthers: Three Keys to the Game

The Buffalo Bills are finally back!

It’s been a long 229 days between games, but the wait is finally over. Preseason or not, Bills football is back.

Here’s the three Keys to the Game for tonight’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers, which kicks off at 7:00 pm, from Ralph Wilson stadium:

1) Stay Healthy.

This is the most important key to the game.

Preseason games give the coaches an opportunity to truly evaluate talent in position battles and the back-end of the roster. However, at the same time it’s extremely important that everyone leaves the game the way they entered it – healthy.

This cannot be stressed enough.

2) One of the quarterbacks must step up.

It doesn’t matter who, but at least one of the Bills’ top three quarterbacks needs a strong outing tonight.

Jul 31, 2015; Pittsford, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) puts on his helmet during training camp at St. John Fisher College. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been two weeks since training camp started and a quarterback is yet to set himself apart from the other two. Whether it’s Matt Cassel, Tyrod Taylor or EJ Manuel, somebody needs to take control of the offense.

Considering Manuel will face the Panthers’ third-team defense tonight, he has the best chance to succeed, and that’s okay. At this point, it doesn’t matter who takes that step forward, as long as someone does.

3) A strong outing from the offensive line.

Coming into camp, aside from the quarterback position, the offensive line was the biggest question mark on the Bills’ roster. Fortunately for them, it seems like things are starting to come together up front.

The preseason provides the offensive line time to gel and build chemistry as a unit. And nothing is more important than chemistry for an offensive line.

A strong outing by the men up front could do wonders for confidence moving forward, in turn benefiting whoever gets the start at quarterback for the start of the regular season.

Next: Bills vs Panthers game preview

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