1. How the Bills are preparing to face rookie QB Dwayne Haskins
For the first time in the 2019 season, the Bills will face a rookie quarterback. The Redskins announced on Friday that first-round pick Dwayne Haskins will make his first NFL start in Orchard Park on Sunday.
Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander commented on what this might mean for the Bills defense this weekend.
"We've had this come up throughout my career. You really try to game plan based on the schematics of their offense and what they like to do. Because offensive coordinators may vary a little bit as far as who is playing quarterback, but they have a foundation or nucleus of plays that they really like and they are comfortable with. So that's what you have to game plan towards.
What we do know is it'll probably be a little more of a conservative game plan. Run the ball. Obviously, they have Adrian Peterson back there and screens have really hurt us so there might be an uptick of some of those during the game. Bootlegs – since Haskins is young and athletic so take advantage of his legs and make the reads easier for him. As far as how coach Frazier calls the plays there's not going to be a drastic difference in how he calls the plays, maybe he might be a little more aggressive in order to take advantage of the youth or lack of experience a player has because so much rides on that position in terms of getting guys in the right places."
Haskins has played in two games this season and has completed 12 of 22 passes for 140 yards with four interceptions, 4.0 sacks and zero touchdowns.
2. These Bills made Yahoo's top 32 rookie list at the midseason mark
Yahoo Sports released its midseason rankings on the 32 of the best rookies in the NFL no matter draft position or player position. Two from the Bills' 2019 draft class made the cut.
Buffalo's ninth overall pick Ed Oliver is the highest ranked Bill at No. 15
Oliver didn't notch his first sack until Week 7. But he appears to be heating up as he gets accustomed to the size and quickness of NFL linemen.
Buffalo's second round pick and 38th overall draftee Cody Ford is No. 30.
Ford has cut down on mental mistakes and learned to not to be so grabby. The flashes of upside are there, whether at guard or tackle.
3. Nsekhe and Thompson provide quality depth if needed on Sunday
The Bills might have to rely on two backups if certain players can't go on Sunday.
Rookie tackle Cody Ford has been dealing with an elbow injury since last Sunday's game and has been limited in practice throughout the week. Ford and Ty Nsekhe have rotated snaps throughout the season but neither have played a complete game.
Ford has participated in 60 percent of the Bills offensive snaps while Nskehe has been in on 47 percent.
"Very confident," head coach Sean McDermott said about Nsekhe. "He's a pro and he's played a significant amount of time, more so than most when you talk about backups or a primary backup.
Maurice Alexander has not participated in practice this week. Replacing him will be Corey Thompson who McDermott believes will have no drop off.
"Yeah Corey's had a couple good weeks of practice and has looked good this week so we'll see how things progress with Maurice and we'll go from there," McDermott said on Friday.
