Five Buffalo Bills players to watch this week against the Minnesota Vikings

The Buffalo Bills will square off with the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday— in what could be the toughest game of the year for the Bills. The Vikings are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Minnesota might just be the most complete team the Bills face all season. Each of the five players below have the potential to make a lasting impact on Sunday’s game. QB Josh AllenAllen is going to be on this list more often than not throughout the year Cheap Tremaine Edmunds Jersey , and for good reason. In his first NFL start last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, he struggled. That’s to be expected with a rookie quarterback as raw as he was coming out of college. There were some bright spots that got people excited for the future, and those moments will need to become more routine as the season progresses. For now, he must try to accomplish that task against the Vikings, who arguably have the best defense in the NFL.WR Ray-Ray McCloud IIIMcCloud has yet to play a regular-season snap for the Bills. With the random release of Jeremy Kerley, McCloud has a chance to get a lot of playing time on Sunday if his knee doesn’t keep him off the field. Since Allen worked with the second- and third-team offense most of training camp and preseason, McCloud and he have established the most chemistry out of the group of the receivers. It’s no guarantee he plays this week with his knee keeping him a limited participant in practice but, if he does Authentic Marcus Murphy Jersey , I’d expect Allen to look his way more than expected. McCloud also has that spark to bring to the special teams unit as a returner after Marcus Murphy looked like a liability returning punts last week. CB2Last week it was Vontae Davis for almost two full quarters before he called it quits on his career in the most unorthodox way possible. Now, who does that spot go to? Phillip Gaines?He looked like a lost puppy on the field when he got the start against the Baltimore Ravens. Maybe it’s Lafayette Pitts, who subbed in for Davis after his mid-game retirement against the Chargers. The second corner spot is a mammoth of an issue for the Bills this week as they face two top-15 receivers in Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, with Kirk Cousins throwing them the ball. DT Star LotuleleiThe 50-million-dollar-man hasn't recorded a single tackle this season. I know, he takes on double teams and clogs the middle, but not having a single tackle through the first two games is not what you want to see from the anchor of your defensive line. I don't want to say he's played poorly, because he hasn't—but he hasn't played like you'd expect someone signing a monster free-agent contract. LB Lorenzo AlexanderAlexander was, without a doubt White Lorenzo Alexander Jersey , the Bills’ best defensive player against the Chargers. His tenacity to get after the quarterback in pass-rush situations is unlike anyone on the Bills defense, including Jerry Hughes. Alexander lines up in a lot of different spots on the front seven, but as an edge rusher he seems to be the most effective. The Bills’ pass rush will need to come alive like it did in the second half last week, if it’s going to make Cousins uncomfortable and throw the timing off for the Vikings receivers.Bills Links, 8/25: Are the Buffalo Bills interested in Khalil Mack? When a player of the caliber of Khalil Mack is rumored to be on the trade block, fans of the Buffalo Bills can only hope that the team is looking at the defensive star as an option. According to Jason LaConfora of CBS Sports, the Bills are one of several teams that have done their due diligence on Mack. Obviously this is plenty of speculation, but it will be interesting to see what eventually happens with Mack.Today’s links also includes plenty of updates on Logan Thomas White Jordan Mills Jersey , Josh Allen, Kyle Williams, Eric Wood and much more.Report: Bills have done their due diligence on Mack | WGR 550 SportsRadioKhalil Mack is still holding out with the Oakland RaidersBuffalo Bills tight end Logan Thomas using QB mindset to flourish and teach | NewYorkUpstate.com"Having a player like Thomas is a real asset for Daboll as he implements his offense in his first season."Will the Josh Allen era begin, and 6 more things to watch in Buffalo Bills' matchup vs. Bengals | NewYorkUpstate.comAll eyes will be on Josh Allen's first start for the Buffalo Bills.NFL expert Greg Cosell praises Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen | NewYorkUpstate.comJosh Allen looked comfortable in his drops, sets and in his delivery vs. Cleveland Browns, Greg Cosell said.‘The more you know, the more you’ll play’: Why the Bills trust Harrison Phillips to play multiple spots, fill in for Kyle Williams – The AthleticThe rookie defensive lineman out of Stanford is a quick learner as he adjusts to the NFL and getting opportunities to show how versatile he can be. (Subscription required.)Can Josh Allen win the job on Sunday? - The Bills Beat with Joe B. and Matthew FairburnJoe Buscaglia and Matthew Fairburn discuss all the different factors that go into Josh Allen's first start Youth LeSean McCoy Jersey , if he can win the job on Sunday, and what that might mean for AJ McCarron.‘This was not my choice’: How Eric Wood and the Bills are moving on after the unexpected injury that forced him out of football – The AthleticAs his first NFL season as a retired player looms, the former Bills captain reflects on the whirlwind of life changes for him and his family since January. (Subscription required.)[BN] Blitz newsletter: After upgrades, Bills still waiting for run defense to shape up – The Buffalo News"Last seasons Buffalo Bills qualified for the playoffs despite owning a negative-57 point differential, the fifth-worst of any playoff team in NFL history."Why wide receiver Brandon Reilly is prepared to fight for a spot on the Bills final roster - BuffaloBills.comAfter missing last week’s game with an injury, Reilly is eager to prove his worth when the Bills take on Cincinnati this Sunday at New Era Field.Sean McDermott: "It Gets Right Back to Routine" - BuffaloBills.comBills Head Coach Sean McDermott spoke to the media before practice on Friday, August 24th.Featured on Buffalo RumblingsWhat can Josh Allen do to secure the Buffalo Bills’ starting quarterback job? - Buffalo RumblingsWhat if the best answer to that question is "nothing"?Football Outsiders breaks down Buffalo Bills rookie QB Josh Allen - Buffalo RumblingsContinuing a theme, the organization doesn’t mince words: Allen will be a failure in the NFLBuffalo Bills Youth Dion Dawkins Jersey , Cincinnati Bengals have plenty of connections including Cordy Glenn, Preston Brown - Buffalo RumblingsBoth teams have a slew of players and coaches with ties to each organizationFive Buffalo Bills positional battles to watch against the Cincinnati Bengals with Josh Allen, Ryan Groy - Buffalo RumblingsSome injuries and some movement on the depth chart could make for some intrigue this week