ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills open their 2024 regular season this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Channel 2 sports team each gives a key to the game before things get underway inside Highmark Stadium.
Jon Scott: Who will catch the ball?
This has been the overwhelming talking point for the last 5-6 months, so why stop now? The turnover at wide receiver has been profound, with only Khalil Shakir someone who has caught a pass in a game from Josh Allen. There is no one any one player is going to fill the void left by the traded Stefon Diggs. That's where the "Everybody Eats" mantra has risen to the forefront of the conversation. Can this new-look WR group collectively be as effective or even better than the old one anchored by a premier WR1?
We won't know that answer for certain simply off of what happens Sunday, but you certainly want to see some encouraging things from the group of Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Mack Hollins.
Coleman is obviously the one who will have the spotlight shining brightest now and this entire season. Any sort of flashes from the rookie will make for a far more encouraging outlook now and later.
Lindsey Moppert: Let James Cook
In this Week 1 matchup, the Bills have the opportunity to take advantage of the Cardinals' poor run defense.
Last year, Arizona allowed 4.7 yards per carry and 141 rushing first downs, which were both tied for the second most in the league. On the other hand, the Bills run game thrived at the back half of last season under offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
The team as a whole averaged 149.6 rushing yards per game from weeks 11-18 under Brady while running back James Cook saw an uptick in carries totaling 137 touches and 730 yards during that time as well.
If the Bills can establish the run game early on Sunday, they will have a chance to exploit the Cardinals front seven and take full control of the line of scrimmage.
Jonathan Acosta: Bills pass rushers
A question facing the Bills all offseason and leading into Week 1 is: what sort of pass rush the team can expect in 2024? Leonard Floyd was the team’s leader in sacks last season, but he’s suiting up now in 49ers red and gold. Von Miller is still looking to regain the form he had pre-ACL injury. Greg Rousseau and AJ Epenesa are being counted on to take jumps this season, but just what kind of leap they make is yet to be seen.
All of those concerns are amplified when going up against a dynamic quarterback like Kyler Murray with the weapons at his disposal. Over the last three games of the 2023 season, Murray completed 71.7% of his passes, averaging around 270 total yards to go with six touchdowns and one interception in that stretch.
This year the Cardinals add rookie star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to a group of weapons that already included running back James Conner and tight end Trey McBride.
So after an offseason of questions, here’s another question for the Bills pass rushers: Can they get enough pressure on Murray to disrupt his rhythm and connection with his targets? And considering Murray’s ability to make things happen on the run, can the Bills front-four stay disciplined enough in their pass rush lanes to force Murray to beat them from the pocket.
The Bills defensive front is the only unit on the defense to not be impacted by injuries to presumed starters during training camp and the preseason. The team will need that group up front to get off to a good start if the team wants to get off to a 1-0 start Sunday.