There's a lot to look for as the Bills look forward to their first preseason game on Thursday

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***Tuesday, August 8, 2017* *| BataviasBest.org***

The Bills will endure their first live-action of the season this Thursday, as the preseason begins with Buffalo vs the Minnesota Vikings at New Era Field. The Bills have plenty of questions to answer during their four exhibition contests, as they enter the season with a new head coach, an offense which must prove itself, and a defense which needs to re-solidify itself as one of the top-units in the NFL.

Will any of the pending question marks be answered this week? I doubt it, but it will be nice to see the team out on the field together – competing against different colors on the other side of the ball. Although the Bills have lined up against one another during Training Camp, there is no substitute for live action against another team – and Buffalo will surely benefit from what they experience during the game on Thursday.

McDermott’s sideline conduct

The most-important thing I’m looking for in a couple of days will be the sideline demeanor of one Sean McDermott – as it will be his first game on the sidelines as head coach. It’s a new game for McDermott now, having to control all aspects of the team for 60 minutes, rather than worrying about one side of the ball as he has in the past as defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers.

Tyrod-to-Sammy

These two need to get on the same page quickly this season, and it would be really nice if they could link-up for a few big gains on Thursday to get the crowd going. The development of the Taylor-Watkins dynamic is extremely important to the Bills success this season. Also: the involvement of Charles Clay within the pass game is something to watch over the next few weeks.

Marcell Dareus

As one of the top-defensive lineman in the NFL, Dareus’ impact, or lack thereof, on the Bills defense will make all the difference for this unit this season. Hopefully he is in shape, and ready to dominate as the Bills open up the preseason.

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I’ll be there on Thursday night ready to roll, and answer any of your questions from inside the stadium. Reach out on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram @BataviasBest.