NFL Preseason: 10 Storylines You Need To Follow This Weekend

Ah, preseason football. It's the time of year when NFL teams routinely play in odd places (Canada, Mexico), with odd players (the only time of year when the McCowns can be seen NOT holding a clipboard). 

Just because the games don't count doesn't mean there aren't plenty of juicy storylines to get your NFL fix. Here are 10 of the biggest storylines in the NFL heading into this weekend's games. 

10. Who Is Buffalo's Quarterback, Anyway?

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TORONTO, CANADA - AUGUST 19: Trent Edwards #5 of the Buffalo Bills looks towards the sidelines during a break in game action against the Indianapolis Colts on August 19, 2010 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Brad White/Getty Ima

Last season, the Buffalo Bills found themselves completely and utterly incapable of throwing the ball. Between Ryan Fitzpatrick and Trent Edwards, the Bills had a terrible quarterback overall. 

But, rather than picking one up in a draft full of potential gunslingers, the Bills stood pat, opting to stick with what they had.

Will Fitzpatrick or Edwards take the lead, or will third stringer Brian Brohm get a shot at the gig? Either way, it promises to make the Bills game against the Bengals on Saturday very interesting. 

9. Bay Resurgence

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 21: Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Raiders defeated the Bears 32-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty I

Things are getting wild once more on both sides of the San Fransisco Bay, as both the Oakland Raiders and San Fransisco 49ers have high hopes heading into the year. 

The Raiders look like a threat to win more than six games for the first time in a long time. Led by new quarterback Jason Campbell, running backs Michael Bush and Darren McFadden, wideouts Louis Murphy and Chaz Schliens and tight end Zach Miller, the Silver and Black have a potent attack.

Meanwhile, things are just rosy in San Fransisco. With a slowly-improving defense and a strong, balanced offense, the Niners are a popular playoff pick and a darkhorse Super Bowl pick. Saturday's clash should teach us a bit about both teams. 

8. How Effective Can Byron Leftwich Be In Pittsburgh?

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 21: Byron Leftwich #4 of the Pittsburgh Steelers passes against the New York Giants during their preseason game at New Meadowlands Stadium on August 21, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Sure, he's only going to be playing four to six games at most during the regular season, but his play in these preseason games will tell us a lot about how he jells with the first team offense.

If Byron struggles, the mobile Dennis Dixon could see significant playing time in the regular season. If he plays well, it might help the Steelers make a decision on Ben Roethlisberger's future with the team.  

If Dixon or Leftwich excel, it would convince Steelers brass that maybe Big Ben is, in fact, expendable. 

7. The Ankle

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SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 22: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before their preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on August 22, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Brett Favre is old. He's 40, which is ancient for a starting quarterback in the NFL. But, the old gunslinger was coaxed out of retirement once more this season, despite an ankle that was injured badly enough to cause him to consider real retirement.

Favre has said publicly that the ankle still hurts, and it remains to be seen how much action he'll see in the preseason. If he doesn't get much play come Saturday, it means it's still bothering him and a slow regular season start is definitely possible. 

6. Who's The Man In Seattle?

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 21: Running back Justin Forsett #20 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes during the preseason game against Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers at Qwest Field on August 21, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Ima

Leon Washington, Julius Jones, or Justin Forsett? One of these three men will be named the starting running back in Seattle by the end of the preseason. 

Forsett is widely viewed as the most talented of the three, and is being touted by most of the media and fan base. But he's undersized for an NFL running back, and Seattle's offensive line is in rebuilding mode. 

Jones is the veteran of the bunch, but has been the least consistent in his time in the Pacific Northwest. If he can put together a couple of strong games, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll might pick him.

Washington is the wild card. He's big, but quick, and is arguably the most dynamic runner of the three. But Washington has been iffy, and is coming off major ankle issues from last year.

One of these three will eventually grab the starting spot, and Saturday's game will go a long way in deciding who comes out on top.

5. Cincy's Go-To Receiver?

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CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 15: Terrell Owens #81 and Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals look on during the preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Paul Brown Stadium on August 15, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won 33-24. (Photo by Joe

When the Bengals signed Terrell Owens during the offseason, the question quickly became: Who's No. 1? The Bengals already had a player who fancied himself the ace of the receiving corps, Chad Ochocinco. 

But who would Carson Palmer develop a rapport with quicker? Through two preseason games, the answer is still unclear. But Saturday's game against the Bills should tell us a lot about who really is No. 1 in Cincy. 

4. Mile-High Conundrum

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DENVER - AUGUST 21: Quarterback Brady Quinn #9 of the Denver Broncos delivers a pass against the Detroit Lions during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 21, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Lions defeated the Broncos 25-20. (Photo

While the starting quarterback situation in Denver is clear (Kyle Orton is the starter), the backup situation is murky at best. 

What happens if Orton gets hurt? Denver has a pair of young, promising quarterbacks, with decidedly different styles of play. 

Brady Quinn has a strong arm, and is a pocket passer. But he struggled in Cleveland and his time in Denver hasn't inspired all that much confidence in him.

Tim Tebow has the legs and a cannon, but his throwing motion is sketchy, and he's not used to the speed of the NFL yet.

Will it be the traditional quarterback Quinn, or the prototype Tebow who backs up Orton? Their play on Sunday will provide us a clue. 

3. Who's Catching The Ball In Minnesota?

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Bernard Berrian #87 of the Minnesota Vikings runs for yards after the catch against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won

Not only do the Vikings have to worry about Favre's ankle, but they are suddenly staring at a potentially depleted wide receiver corps. 

Last year's breakout player, Sidney Rice, will miss at least half the season after hip surgery. Third-year wideout Percy Harvin is suffering from migranes so severe he had to be hospitalized last week, and could potentially miss more time in the regular season.

That leaves Bernard Berrian as the go-to guy in Minnesota, but is he up to the task?  The Vikes just picked up Greg Camarillo from Miami; he's good, but not a top-caliber receiver. Can Berrian hold up to the pressure of being the go-to guy on a Super Bowl contender? We'll find out this weekend. 

2. A Back For Houston

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HOUSTON - JANUARY 03: Running back Arian Foster #37 of the Houston Texans rushes along the sideline as safety Brandon Meriweather #31 of the New England Patriots at Reliant Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Coming into the season, the Texans had three talented running backs vying for two spots: a first-/second-down back, and a third-down back. 

When Ben Tate went down with an injury, both Arian Foster and Steve Slaton found themselves with jobs, but it remains to be seen who will go where.

Slaton was a dynamic back as a rookie, but put on too much muscle between years one and two and slowed down. He's got to find that speed again. 

Foster played just two games last year, but racked up 215 rushing yards in them. It remains to be seen whether he can handle being an every down back. 

This weekend will give us definite insight into both players' chances. 

1. Anderson Over Leinart?

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GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 14: Quarterback Derek Anderson #3 of the Arizona Cardinals drops back to pass during preseason NFL game against the Houston Texans at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 14, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated

As of today, Cardinals head coach Ken Wisenhunt plans to start Derek Anderson at quarterback over Matt Leinart. 

Leinart has long been the heir apparent to Kurt Warner in the desert, but he's struggle to mesh with the starting offense.

Anderson was signed in the offseason. He had an excellent year in 2007, but awful 2008 and 2009 seasons. He's got the better arm, but it can get him in trouble. 

Is this a sign of what will happen in the regular season? If Anderson thrives, yes. If not, who knows?