Broncos at Bills: The Tale of Two New Eras

To get you ready for week 1, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is the Buffalo Bills/Denver Broncos preview.

2006 Records: (Click names for 2007 preview)

Denver Broncos: 9-7 (3rd in AFC West)
Buffalo Bills: 7-9 (3rd in AFC East)

2006 Head-to-Head:

No Game. (Broncos 28 - Bills 17 in 2005)

When the Broncos have the ball: The Bills couldn't stop the run last season, while the Broncos consistently ran all over teams. Does anyone actually think the Broncos will take an alternative approach on Sunday? I certainly don't.

Travis Henry, another brand new Denver running back, will get plenty of carries against a Bills defense that ranked 29th in the NFL last season; a Bills defense that no longer has Takeo Spikes or London Fletcher. However, what they do have is rookie linebacker Paul Posluszny -- a standout from Penn State who figures to excel in the NFL.

The Broncos will also aim to get second-year quarterback Jay Cutler comfortable in his first opening weekend start. Once the run is established, keep an eye out for a long play action pass. It could be Henry, Henry, Culter-to-Javon Walker all day long.

When the Bills have the ball: The Bills have a new offensive line, a series of new running backs and a starting quarterback in only his second full season. Normally that would spell disaster, but that may not be the case for Buffalo. J.P. Losman is carrying around huge expectations, and none of them seem too far out of reach. With Lee Evans, who is arguably one of the best wide receivers in the league, and Peerless Price, the Bills could have a very solid aerial attack; an attack that will certainly be on display this Sunday.

Rookie running back Marshawn Lynch will also make his NFL regular season debut this weekend. After a relatively unimpressive preseason where he didn't get enough carries to make a solid judgment anyway, it will be interesting to see how the Bills use Lynch. Will they give him the majority of the carries, or will they use a running back by committee?

The Edge: Experts, analysts and fans are always looking for the "edge" and what team has it. While it may be in bad taste to suggest that the Broncos will use this as motivation, you can bet teammate Darrent Williams will be in their hearts and minds as they take the field on Sunday. His unfortunate and untimely death shocked the team and the Denver community, and they will most certainly be playing in his honor all year long.

Keep an eye on:

Denver wide receivers versus Buffalo secondary - I realize I touched on this (briefly) earlier, but it will be a major part in the outcome of this game.

Simeon Rice - How will the veteran defensive end adapt to an entirely new defensive scheme?

The Broncos secondary - Not a lot has been made of Denver's secondary this offseason. With all the drama surrounding the NFL, people forgot that the Broncos could possibly have the best secondary in the league.

Note: There has been a ton of turnover on both of these teams and Sunday will mark the beginning of two new eras. For one team, it will get off to a good start. For another ... not so much.