Buffalo Bills vs. Arizona Cardinals: Week 1 Predictions and Final Score

This unending offseason finally comes to a close, as the Buffalo Bills are set to host the Arizona Cardinals for Week 1. It's been an uphill climb, rife with change for most rosters, but football is back. We're kicking off our weekly game predictions for the Bills and their opposition here at BuffaLowDown with this installment, but first we have a long offseason to cover. Let's get into it.

The New-Look Buffalo Bills

Few teams saw change to the degree the Buffalo Bills did in 2024. From the mass exodus of players on defense to the still-shocking trade that sent Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, there was no shortage of drama. Speculation reigned as the same pundits who bashed the Bills' All-Pro safety duo declared the Buffalo Super Bowl window closed as a result of their departure. The team lost their WR2 in Gabe Davis, their longtime CB1 in Tre'Davious White, and more. Rumours were abound about the situation in Buffalo, but there was work to be done.

The team brought in WRs Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, Keon Coleman, and more to refresh the room. Size was a driving factor, and they brought in a tough running back in Ray Davis to complement James Cook. A minor re-shuffling of the offensive line and the unit was ready to roll under offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who could finally install his own scheme. Defensively, Rasul Douglas stepping into the CB1 role officially, and Kaiir Elam stepped up to make the battle at CB2 interesting. The Buffalo Bills succession plan at safety is in full effect, with Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin going to work and rookie Cole Bishop learning the roles behind them and Mike Edwards. All in all, the team seems about as ready to roll as they've been for the past few seasons.

It still remains to be seen if their offense can maintain the clip they scored at over the past four seasons. There are certainly questions, but the divide between the 2023 Bills and this team isn't nearly as wide as advertised.

Arizona Cardinals - What's New?

For the Arizona Cardinals, however, any change would be a welcome one. A team which started 1-2 went only 4-13 last season, despite owning one of the most efficient rushing offenses in the league. Almost everything else needed an overhaul and, with Kyler Murray finally healthy again, they can finally build around him. The team wasted no time, picking the best WR in this draft class in Marvin Harrison Jr, and tweaking the offensive line enough to keep Murray upright to target him. Defensively, their moves won't blow anyone away, but it'll be hard not to improve on their dreary 2023 mark, where they allowed the second-most points though 17 games at 435.

So, what can we expect? After so much change and so much time, it's anyone's guess; Let's make an educated one.

Prediction #1 - Curtis Samuel Shines In Debut

In 2023, the Arizona Cardinals allowed the third-most receiving touchdowns in the NFL, with 32. They did little to repair that gaping hole they own at cornerback, and Buffalo will have a previously-unseen offense on the field. The opposition left guessing, the Bills' most versatile receiver will be in his element. Playing away from the linebackers and largely below the more effective safeties, Curtis Samuel will find space to do more. The new Buffalo Bill will show why he's been so heavily incorporated throughout training camp. His turf toe may play a limiting factor, but he's been active in practice and is on schedule to play. It won't be the throw-show we all want, but Samuel will be the best man up. Still, expect to see the team get to work on the ground, which lead's to our next prediction.

Prediction #2 - Buffalo's Run Game Reigns

The Arizona Cardinals defense was last in 2023 in rushing yards allowed per NFL.com; Adding Darius Robinson, Justin Jones, and Bilal Nichols isn't enough to turn that scheme around. From everything we've heard this offseason, Joe Brady plans to incorporate the run in a significant way. Buffalo's clear focus on getting bigger and stronger on offense will inevitably lead to better blocking and more effective power runs. The Bills, with their brand-new James Cook-Ray Davis combo, will take advantage. The Cardinals owned many dubious defensive marks last season, including second-worst yards per carry allowed at 4.7, a terrifying clip. Arizona, en route to their whopping four wins in 2023, played from behind against teams that ran to waste time, and still couldn't halt them. Cards DC Nick Rallis will struggle. It may not be the pretty football you've waited all summer for, but Buffalo can grind out drive after drive by running right down the throat of the opposition.

Prediction #3 - Final Score

So, where does that leave us? The Cardinals cannot stop Buffalo's offense, and their offense isn't proven able to outscore the Bills either. Much may have changed but the canyon between the 2023 Bills and the 2023 Cards was enormous, and none of the moves made by either side seem to have shut that gap. Marvin Harrison Jr. is a great addition, and Kyler Murray being healthy is significant, yet the divide is still prevalent.

Prediction: Buffalo Bills win 27 - 17 over Arizona Cardinals

Check back next week to see how we did, and prepare for Thursday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins with our next round of Bills gameday predictions!