Bills vs. Broncos: Previewing the 2011 Preseason Matchup and Positional Battles

At the end of the 2010 season, the Broncos and Bills found themselves in almost the exact situation.

They both finished with a 4-12 record, (tied for the worst in the AFC, along with Cincinnati), and were at the bottom of their respective divisions.

Once the offseason hit, some changes were made for the betterment of the greater good, and 2011 appears to be headed in a more positive direction.

That said, when Buffalo plays in Denver on Saturday evening, everything once again goes under the spotlight.

Here is a preview of the game at Invesco Field.

Game Information

When: Saturday Aug. 20, 2011

Where: Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, CO.

Time: 8:30 PM EST

TV: NFL Network Replay at 1 PM EST on Sunday, WKBW7 Buffalo, CBS4 Denver 

Radio: Broncos Radio KOA850 AM, WGRF 96.9 FM Buffalo

Bills' Offseason Changes

Key Acquisitions: DT Marcell Dareus, CB Aaron Williams, LB Kelvin Sheppard, LB Nick Barnett, WR Brad Smith 

Key Re-Signings: LB Shawne Merriman

Key Departures: WR Lee Evans, S Donte Whitner, DL Marcus Stroud, LB Paul Pozluszny

Broncos' Offseason Changes

Key Acquisitions: LB Von Miller, Head Coach John Fox, DB Rahim Moore, OL Orlando Franklin, RB Willis McGahee, DL Ty Warren 

Key Re-Signings: DB Champ Bailey, DL Marcus Thomas, K Matt Prater

Key Departures: S Renaldo Hill, DL Justin Bannan, DL Jamaal Williams

Bills Last Week

2011 NFL Preseason Week 1

Chicago Bears 10, Buffalo Bills 3

Notable Offensive Stats

Ryan Fitzpatrick: 7-of-9 for 44 yards

Fred Jackson: 3 carries for 18 yards

Naaman Roosevelt: 3 catches for 26 yards

Defense

DL Lionel Dotson: 4 tackles

LB Danny Batton: 3 tackles, 2 sacks

DL Kellen Heard: 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble

LB Shawne Merriman: 3 tackles, 2 sacks

Broncos Last Week

NFL Preseason Week 1

Dallas Cowboys 24, Denver Broncos 23

Notable Offensive Stats

Brady Quinn: 8-of-14 for 120 yards, 1 TD

Tim Tebow: 6-of-7 for 91 yards

Jeremiah Johnson: 4 carries for 28 yards, 1 TD

Matt Willis: 2 catches for 50 yards

Eron Riley: 3 catches for 43 yards, 1 TD

Defense

DB Nate Jones: 6 tackles

DB Kyle McCarthy: 3 tackles, 1 sack

DE Jason Hunter: 2 sacks

DB Perrish Cox: 1 INT

What To Look For: How Quickly Do Bills' WRs Adapt Without Lee Evans?

Since the 2004 season, Lee Evans has been the focal point in the Buffalo receiving core.

You could even make the argument that he was their entire offense.

Now the Bills must perform without him, but they do have some potential.

WR Steve Johnson came out big last year, so 2011 is expected to be just as good, if not better.

Roscoe Parrish, however, continues to be injury prone. Therefore, he becomes a skeptical target.

Expect Naaman Roosevelt to receive more playing time—and rightfully so—as he was solid last week.

From a long-term prospective, though, not having Evans will be rough.

What To Look For: Do the Denver RBs Present a Solid Rushing Attack?

Last season, the Broncos finished ranked No. 7 in passing offense, but only No. 26 in rushing offense.

Obviously, that can be attributed to playing from behind. Nonetheless, gaining just 96 yards on the ground per game won't cut it.

Therefore, can the Bronco RBs shift into another gear and become a force that the defense must recognize?

Well, they don't have a choice if Denver wants any shot at improving from 2010.

Buffalo proves to be a tough test as well, since they played well against Chicago. The Bills front seven are coming in with a lot of confidence.

Time for Denver to get back to the Mike Shanahan days, when every year it seemed there was a different RB reaching that 1,000-yard milestone.

Position Battle: C.J. Spiller or Fred Jackson

C.J. Spiller has a lot of talent, athleticism and potential.

Fred Jackson is a veteran with much more experience and is an established NFL Brahma Bull.

The real difference?

Spiller isn't your typical NFL RB, while Jackson has hit that 30-year-old mark.

We know that Fred has a couple of years left at the very least—and that Spiller still has time to develop.

Put it this way: Jackson is the main man right now, but the sooner Spiller becomes a complete NFL back the better.

Otherwise the Bills may just have another mediocre rushing attack, when in fact they could be much better.

Position Battle: Knowshon Moreno or Willis McGahee

Despite only being 29 years old, Willis McGahee's body is definitely older than his age indicates.

He does, however, still have some gas left in the tank. Otherwise the Broncos wouldn't have acquired him to help the running game.

Additionally, Knowshon Moreno underperformed in 2010, and some minor skepticism began to brew.

Well, now that he has some legitimate competition to start at RB, along with an expected stellar aerial assault, he may improve.

That said, Willis is also looking to contribute, and it'll definitely add some intense motivation to both players.

Right now it appears that Moreno is the lead candidate, but unlike the starting QB competition, the RB competition is very, very close.

Player To Watch: Marcell Dareus

Marcell Dareus was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft and was exactly what the Bills needed.

They finished last in rush defense in 2010, allowing 170 yards per contest.

Considering who they lost on defense, he must inherit the lead defensive role. Otherwise he won't live up to being a top draft pick.

The Broncos need to improve their rush O, while the Bills need to improve their rush D.

Somethings got to give, and Marcell Dareus is the key to the lock.

Player to Watch: Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow has been under the media microscope since the end of the 2010 season, and it's a foregone conclusion that he will remain that way for all of 2011.

Well, he could widen the gap between himself and Brady Quinn with another good performance, but he must improve.

Last week what he did was good, but if he does that this week it's not good.

Why?

Because there would then be no progression.

Progression is the thing everyone is looking for, not complacency or regression.

However, we must hold Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn to these standards as well.

Player to Watch: Von Miller

He was the No. 2 overall pick and the highest in Broncos history, as Denver has never drafted that high before.

So, congratulations Von Miller.

Now we get to the best part.

Watching him play football.

He'll be expected to dominate right from the get-go, and him being on defense along with Elvis Dumervil will do wonders for Denver.

As he progresses through the preseason, he must become a pass rush/run-stopping presence, or it's going to be a long year in The Mile High City.

Prediction

Both franchises have a lot of work to do in terms of improving on the 2010 campaign.

Both did well in drafting an area of need with their high picks, and made some offseason moves to take a step in the right direction.

Plus, how often do you get to see to of the top three NFL draft picks go at it?

It should be a good game, but like most preseason games, it comes down to the backups.

And the Broncos' depth is just a little better.

Broncos 27, Bills 23

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