Green Bay Packers 2018 opponent preview: Buffalo Bills
A closer look at the Buffalo Bills, who the Green Bay Packers meet in Week 4.
It’s been four long years since the Green Bay Packers’ last meeting with the Buffalo Bills. That afternoon it all went wrong.
Jordy Nelson uncharacteristically dropped just about everything thrown his way. Aaron Rodgers didn’t throw a touchdown and had two interceptions.
But the Packers bounced back to come within a game of the Super Bowl.
Four years on, the two teams meet again.
Last season
The Bills finished second in the AFC East with a 9-7 record. It was good enough to earn them a wild-card berth. But they lost their first playoff game since 1999, 10-3, to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
When is the game?
The Packers will host the Bills in Week 4. The game kicks off at 12 noon CT on Sunday, Sept. 30. It will be Green Bay’s third home game in the opening four weeks of the regular season.
Offseason additions
The Bills’ biggest offseason additions were at the quarterback position. First, they traded away Tyrod Taylor to the Cleveland Browns. They then signed former Bengals quarterback A.J. McCarron to a two-year, $10 million deal, before trading up in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft to select Josh Allen.
The Bills will be hoping Allen is their long-term answer at quarterback. With Tom Brady entering the final phase of his career in New England, the hope is Allen can make the Bills a regular AFC East contender in the near future.
Also in the first round, Buffalo selected linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Edmunds could have a huge impact in the Bills defense.
Last meeting with Packers
December 14, 2014: Bills won 21-13 at Ralph Wilson Stadium
Player to watch
Tremaine Edmunds: The Packers had the chance to select Edmunds at No. 14 in April’s draft. Instead, they decided to trade down. Edmunds has the potential to become a star in the Bills defense. His versatility as a linebacker will make him a tough player for opponents to gameplan for.
The Packers’ offensive line will need to play well in this game, as Edmunds’ ability to rush the passer could cause problems.
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Much like how Packers fans have kept one eye on T.J. Watt, a player Green Bay passed up on last year, the same will be true of Edmunds.