Preseason: Buffalo Bills vs Indianapolis Colts Preview
By Ryan Brennan
The Buffalo Bills will host the Indianapolis Colts at Ralph Wilson Stadium for their first preseason game. The game is set to kick off at 7:00 PM. While they prepare, so are we with a Buffalo Bills vs Indianapolis Colts Preview.
Sure, it’s only a preseason game. For the Buffalo Bills, though, these next few preseason games are going to be crucial in deciding the team’s future this season. With the injuries that have piled up recently, it’s very important we see future replacements in real game scenarios.
Also, after 11 training camp practices, it will be important to see how they react against a team other than themselves.
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With that being said, there’s a lot we need to look at when the Bills and Indianapolis Colts kick off tomorrow night. Let’s start with the offense.
If you haven’t heard already, Tyrod Taylor and the Bills have agreed to a contract extension and was reported as a six-year, $92 million deal. It’s big news as it seems the Bills have officially gone all-in with our quarterback. He won’t be seeing a whole lot of action against the Colts, but it will be important to see if he can continue the efficiency he had a year ago and make smart decisions time and time again.
However, things might not be very easy for him when he hits the field. The Bills will be without a few key starters tomorrow night: Sammy Watkins, Charles Clay, Richie Incognito and Cordy Glenn. That means his biggest weapons on the receiving end and his starting left side of his offensive line will be gone. It will be interesting to see if he can still make things work with what he is given.
In addition to Clay and Watkins, Greg Salas and Dezmin Lewis will also be out with injuries. That will give Marquise Goodwin, Greg Little and Leonard Hankerson plenty of opportunities to shine. They are all fighting for that No. 3 spot, although Goodwin has the upper edge, and need to make use of every opportunity given.
As for the running backs, we probably won’t see a whole lot of LeSean McCoy — most likely about as much as we see of Taylor. In addition, Reggie Bush likely won’t see any action tomorrow as well as Karlos Williams — who is still struggling with his weight. That leaves valuable time for our depth to show just how much depth we have.
Mike Gillislee has been consistently explosive and it would be nice to see that in a game. Rookie Jonathan Williams has a lot to prove after his DWI arrest in the offseason. Lastly, James Wilder Jr. — who seems to be a fan favorite at this point — could also use a big game to ease the likes of the coaches.
Lastly for the offense, with Incognito and Glenn both missing time, we need to heavily look at the players behind them just in case we have to go without either one of them for an extended amount of time. In their place, Cyrus Kouandjio and Ryan Groy will start. They have had a tough time being consistent so far this training camp and could use this time to prove their worth. Personally, Kouandjio really needs to step up because the chances are we are going to need him at some point this season.
Now, let’s move to the defense. The sad, injury-depleted defense.
If this preseason teaches us anything about the upcoming season, it’s how these injuries are going to affect it. There’s a chance that the Reggie Ragland injury and Shaq Lawson injury aren’t that big of a blow for this team. If that reigns true, that just means our defense will be that much better when they come back.
First off, let’s talk the inside linebackers. We need to watch out for three players: Zach Brown, Brandon Spikes and David Hawthorne. One of these guys will be asked to carry the load for the missing Ragland and they all have the ability to do so. Spikes has experience in Buffalo as a starter and can find his groove quickly, while Hawthorne has experience under Rob Ryan with the Saints. Zach Brown has been the favorite so far, but has shown to be inconsistent with his play and has struggled in coverage.
On the outside, it seems as though Rex Ryan has favored Lorenzo Alexander to replace Lawson, noting that no one else has really proven they deserve that spot. IK Enemkpali recently got into a scuffle during training camp and has a history of doing the same in his career. Eric Striker is still a young player trying to transition to the big stage and Bryson Albright hasn’t really stood out throughout camp.
With Shaq possibly out half the season and Manny Lawson still injured — although he is eyeing a return before the regular season — one of these players will have to step up and they’re running out of time.
Moving up to the defensive line, we are pretty set as far as competition goes. Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus can hold their own and have proven that throughout their careers. However, Adolphus Washington is still a rookie and hasn’t played against an NFL team yet. It will be interesting to see his transition so far. Plus, he’s the only rookie that has stayed healthy and out of trouble — other than Cardale Jones and Kevon Seymour — and will be key to show the Bills his consistency.
Related Story: Bills' Training Camp Recap: Day 11
Lastly, I want to touch base on our safeties, who took a hit on Thursday when Aaron Williams left Day 11 practice early after colliding with Dezmin Lewis. He was getting tested for a concussion, but not much is known on his status. Safe to say we won’t be seeing him tomorrow, giving the other guys a chance to show what they have. It will be important to see the depth here, especially noting that Williams missed pretty much the whole season last year with a neck injury.
Robert Blanton, Duke Williams and Jonathan Meeks will get valuable time against the Colts in his place.
The game will start at 7:00 PM and will bring long-awaited football to fans’ TVs around the country.
What do you think is the biggest headline heading into the Bills’ first preseason game against the Colts? Leave your comments below.
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