By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills had plenty of storylines to follow in the preseason, many of them surrounding position battles and individual players.
Those storylines usually settle down after the regular season starts. That’s not the case after a 44-point loss on opening day.
With that, here at five storylines to watch as the Bills host the Los Angeles Chargers in their home opener:
Will Josh Allen provide a spark?
The Bills’ defense has plenty of problems of their own to solve after giving up 47 points to the Baltimore Ravens last week. Still, the modern day NFL is designed in favor of offenses and the Bills simply couldn’t do anything on offense, putting up only three points. The defense had to be gassed because of it, too. In response, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott took the keys to the car from Nathan Peterman and gave them to rookie quarterback Josh Allen.
Allen becomes the second rookie quarterback in the NFL to start this season and many presume it’s much sooner than the Bills would have liked. New York Jets QB Sam Darnold was the first. But for the Bills, there’s no turning back now. Allen will have the benefit of not having to face pass-rusher Joey Bosa (foot) on Sunday, but the Chargers still sport a defense that includes defensive back Casey Hayward and defensive end Melvin Ingram.
Allen has to manage all that while also hoping the Bills’ offensive line and wide receivers can provide some help. Good luck, rook.
Can the secondary recover?
Buffalo’s secondary has been far from good and it has a much tougher test in Week 2 as opposed to Week 1. In Buffalo’s opener against the Ravens, the Bills allowed Joe Flacco to pass for 236 yards and three touchdowns. He would’ve added more, but up 40 points, the Ravens didn’t feel the need to keep him in any longer. On top of that, he wasn’t even sacked. Just one time while scrambling just before he crossed the line of scrimmage. Flacco was never brought down in the pocket.
With Phillip Rivers this week, Buffalo has a QB to deal with that threw for 424 yards alone last week. He had 51 drop-backs and was only sacked once. Don’t forget his three touchdowns, too. Oh, and also don’t forget Keenan Allen, who had eight grabs for 108 yards in their season opener. It’s not an easy ask of the Bills, but the secondary had a strong 2017 and they’ll hopefully be able to return to that form this week.
Can the Bills take advantage of injuries?
On the injury report, the Bills have a few clear advantages over the Chargers. First, Buffalo’s offense won’t have to face Joey Bosa, he won’t play due to a foot injury. Buffalo’s offensive line can now key-in on pass-rusher Melvin Ingram. The Bills’ O-line has had its fair share for struggles in 2018 including allowing six sacks last week against Baltimore, but without Bosa, they have a clear advantage.
But the Bills don’t just have a big injury advantage on offense, there’s one on defense. Sam Tevi is making only his second-career start at right guard for the Chargers. Starter Joe Barksdale is out (knee). That’s a big advantage for Jerry Hughes. If Buffalo’s pass-rush is going to improve from 2017 to 2018, it has to start on Sunday with Hughes.
Will the penalties stop?
The preseason saw the Bills struggle with penalties. Particularly on the offensive line. That didn’t stop in the season opener. In total, Buffalo had 10 penalties for a net loss of 100 yards. Buffalo’s offense, which only had 153 total yards against Baltimore, got itself behind the eight ball far too many times. Of those 10, six were against the offensive line for a loss of 54 yards. It’s one of the reasons why the Bills had zero first downs in the first half.
The Bills appear to struggle to keep up with opponents’ talents, so they can’t help them even more via the penalty department.
How much leash will the Bills get?
The season is young. Only 60 minutes old. However, the Bills are fresh off their first postseason trip in 17 seasons. Feelings were high heading into 2018. There were a couple new quarterbacks, sure. But the defense lead the way to the playoffs and were supposed to get better with free agent additions.
After a 44-point loss, if the Bills put together a bad outing in their home opener, the boo-birds could fly at New Era Field, mostly aimed at the front office. It’s justified, too. Last week’s season-opening loss was one of the worst in team history. If the Chargers get off to a hot start, things could get ugly in the stands at in Orchard Park.