The Buffalo Bills starting unit will play a majority of the game on Sunday. There are both pros and cons to this decision by the coaching staff.
It may only be the preseason but the Buffalo Bills are on national television tomorrow when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals.
The top storylines will focus on the quarterbacks, although the focus on Andy Dalton will be about his charity and the donations from Bills fans.
As for the Bills, Josh Allen is getting the start. And not only that, but he will be on the field past halftime along with the rest of the starters.
McDermott: starters this week will go a little more than 2 qtrs vs. Bengals. #Bills
— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) August 24, 2018
At first glance this should have fans both at home and at the stadium excited. Fans get to see a competitive game past halftime, as opposed to a full 60 minutes of dreadful preseason action.
This also allows everyone watching both in Buffalo and around the country to see how Allen responds in a starting role.
Now for the reasons I get worried about the starters playing so much.
Thursday saw the Cleveland Browns take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a nationally televised game. The Browns saw No. 4 pick Denzel Ward and former Bill Tyrod Taylor go down with injuries early in the game. Both aren’t out for any extended amount of time, but anyone who was watching that saw Taylor’s arm bend the wrong way surely thought the worst.
There is a risk of injury any time a football game is played. This is no secret. The problem is that an entire season can be ruined due to a preseason injury. If it happens in the regular season, so be it. Part of the game. But having the season ruined in August is avoidable.
The Chicago Bears rested most of their starters in their game today against the Kansas City Chiefs as Matt Nagy clearly understands the risks.
It’s honestly a matter of opinion. I would be more cautious but I also understand that not playing anyone in the preseason could lead to poor and sloppy play in the regular season.
Let’s just hope everyone plays smart and alert tomorrow and remains healthy for Week 1.