Bills at Commanders: 6 storylines to watch for heading into Week 3
Here are six Buffalo Bills storylines to watch for during the lead up to the team’s Week 3 matchup with the Washington Commanders:
Not overlooking a 2-0 opponent
While the Bills are riding high from their 38-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, they need to not overlook an opponent here in Washington. Not only are the Commanders a home underdog, they’re 2-0 and have found way to win games.
Not to mention, it did look a bit like the Bills overlooked the New York Jets in Week 1 leading to their 22-16 overtime loss… Sean McDermott needs to keep his team dialed in.
That defensive front
All the talk around Orchard Park leading up to Sunday is going to center around the defensive line Washington sports. For years, it has been one of the best in the NFL.
The likes of Chase Young, Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat will give the Bills problems. Not just because of the occasional inconsistent play of Buffalo’s offensive line, but the Commanders’ D-line does that to everyone.
The Bills are in for a huge test on offense.
Who is Sam Howell?
Most of the reason the Commanders are running under-the-radar despite their 2-0 start is because of their quarterback. Likely the most unknown one in the NFL, it’s Sam Howell.
Knock him all you want, his numbers are currently comparison to Josh Allen’s.
Howell: 2 TDs, 1 INT, 501 yards, 95.0 QB rating
Allen: 4 TDs, 3 INTs, 510 yards, 94.5 QB rating
Not mention, his record is better…
Not out of the turnover jungle
Speaking of Allen, yes, he played better against the Raiders–But we’ve ridden this roller coaster before. There’s still a chance he goes out there and starts the turning the ball over again in Washington. One game is just one game and he should be asked about staying at that level all the way up until kickoff.
Plus, it’d help if the defense helped Buffalo win the overall turnover battle for the second-straight week, too.
Keep the help coming
The prior mentioned defensive line will come into play here. It might be tough to get running back James Cook going again against that unit.
But whether it’s Cook or Gabe Davis or someone else, it will be the utmost importance for the Bills offense to keep spreading the ball and getting some help for the likes of Allen and All-Pro receive Stefon Diggs.
Good or bad blood?
Whenever there’s a connection between McDermott and another coaching staff, it’s always a story that’s mentioned. For years, McDermottt was on Ron Rivera’s staff in Carolina with the Panthers. In addition, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane was in Carolina as well.
Now in Washington, the Commanders had… a weird instance with the Bills while Rivera was there. Remember when JD McKissic was leaving Washington for Buffalo as a free agent?
It was supposed to happen, but didn’t. McKissic ended up back with the Commanders which prompted Beane to say things went down” when he returned to Washington.
