According to some examples of preseason strategies in this post...
Identifying Profitable Preseason Situations
we may have an angle with the first game if coaches and teams are looking to improve on last year's weak spots...
2017 |
Offense |
|
Defense |
|
|
Pass |
Rush |
Pass |
Rush |
CAR |
28 |
4 |
15 |
30 |
BUF |
31 |
6 |
13 |
4 |
These are 2017 year end stats showing league position and I'm guessing that neither Buffalo nor Carolina are likely to try and improve, or work on, their rushing games to start the preseason.
Carolina may be focusing on their rushing defense.
At the same time, Buffalo should be looking to improve on their passing game. So we have a possibly passing focused offense going against a rush focused defense.
Further, in line with that post about the preseason, Buffalo will be testing two QB's under the first team set.
AJ McCarron will likely start but Nathan Peterman will also get reps. Buffalo has three QB's to work out but those two will start behind the first line.
We also have Carolina perhaps wanting to work on their passing game.
Both pass defenses were middle of the pack and they might want to test them, but won't likely reveal too many packages.
In light of some of this, we just might have an Over play on out hands here.
...