After a long and eventful offseason, the 2024 NFL season is here and Bills fans are curious what this year's team will look like. With the departure of Stefon Diggs, Jordan Poyer and other players, there are many different outcomes with how the team will react.
This upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals is a good test to see how well the Bills can play. The Cardinals are a talented team that had some missing pieces last year. Now that those pieces are in place, the Cardinals can quietly become a good team this year, and the Bills should gameplan hard for them.
Some dangerous Cardinals players need to be contained at all costs, or else the Bills could see themselves going 0-1 after their first game.
TE Trey McBride
McBride was quietly one of the best tight ends in the league last year, especially with their dire quarterback situation until Kyler Murray came back later in the season. McBride didn't score much as he only had three touchdowns, but he racked up over 800 receiving yards on 81 receptions.
He stepped up when the offense needed him most, as the Cardinals had next to no other reliable receiving option. McBride is going into his third year and will look to step in the right direction, especially with Murray as his starting quarterback to start the season.
WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Not only is he the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison, but he's also a fantastic NFL prospect. There's a reason why Harrison Jr. is one of the best receiver prospects in recent history. He has racked up the stat sheet with Ohio State and has obtained everything that an elite wide receiver has.
He has great route running skills, hands, and a big 6'3 frame. He has also proven to be successful with different college quarterbacks. Prospects like him usually transition to the NFL well, and Arizona badly needed a player like him.
The Bills should expect Kyler Murray and Harrison Jr. to try and establish their connection early. The last time Murray had a true number-one receiver was when DeAndre Hopkins was on the team, and they both ended up being a great duo. One could only imagine what Harrison Jr. would look like in the passing offense with Murray.
QB Kyler Murray
Murray used to be one of the more exciting quarterbacks to watch a couple of years ago, labeled as a Top-10 quarterback at the time. However, ever since his ACL injury in 2022, fans have forgotten how good he was.
In 2020, Murray had an MVP-like season, rushing for over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns, while passing for almost 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. After 2022, he hasn't received adequate time to full gear. Murray received a full offseason with a healthy knee, and with a brand new rookie in Marvin Harrison Jr and Trey McBride. Murray could come out swinging against the Bills in Week one.
The Bills will seek revenge against Murray, as they remember what he did the last time they faced each other back in 2020 with the infamous Hail Murray.