INDIANAPOLIS – The hype train for the Colts and Bills this offseason rivals that for any other teams in the NFL.
The two fittingly meet in Week One of the regular season.
Since the Bills last playoff appearance in 1999, anticipation has never been higher for a season in upstate New York.
With new head coach Rex Ryan, the Bills defense has a coach with plenty of defensive pedigree to go with an already disruptive returning unit.
The Colts have caught a break in Week One with Bills Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcel Darius serving a suspension to start the season.
Buffalo has made a seismic shift in how their offense will look in 2015.
After four seasons as a backup in Baltimore, the dynamic Tyrod Taylor earned the starting job in Buffalo.
Sunday will mark Taylor's first career start in the NFL (has played in 14 career games). Ironically enough, Taylor's last start in football came at the 2011 Orange Bowl against Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal.
Taylor was a 77 percent passer this preseason and showed his dual-threat capabilities with 108 rushing yards on 11 carries.
The Bills are expected to not lean too heavily on Taylor.
This offseason, Buffalo added playmakers in the form of running back LeSean McCoy, wide receiver Percy Harvin and tight end Charles Clay.
Those additions join budding star WR-Sammy Watkins to form an offensive unit with plenty of weapons in 2015.
*2014 Record: *9-7, 2nd in the AFC East
Head Coach: Rex Ryan's first season as Bills head coach, (7th season overall). 46-50 overall in the regular season and 4-2 in the playoffs).
*2014 NFL Rankings: *Offense – Overall, 26th (318.5); Rushing, 25th (92.6); Passing, 18th (225.9). Defense – Overall, 4th (312.2); Rushing, 11th (106.4); Passing, 3rd (205.8).
2015 Starting Quarterback (2015 Preseason Stats): Tyrod Taylor (24-of-31 comp., 236 yards, 77.4 pct., 0 TDs, 0 INTs).
*2015 Starting Running Back (2014 Stats with Eagles): *LeSean McCoy (312 carries, 1,319 yards, 5 TDs).
*2014 Leading Receiver: *Sammy Watkins (65 receptions for 982 yards and six touchdowns).
2014 Leading Sacker: Mario Williams (14.5 sacks).
2014 Turnover Breakdown: Plus 7 (tied for 6th).
2015 NFL Draft Results: After trading up for Sammy Watkins during last year's NFL Draft, the Bills were quiet with their six picks in 2015. Their first selection came at spot No. 50 when they took Florida State cornerback Ronald Darby. In the fifth-round, fellow Florida State running back Karlos Williams was the choice. Williams is expected to back up LeSean McCoy.
*2014 Review: *After two seasons with the Bills, head coach Doug Marrone left the organization following a 9-7 season. The Bills were just a game away from ending their 15-season playoff drought last year. Buffalo leaned on their dominant defense to reach the nine-win plateau with a trio of Pro Bowlers along their defensive line. A lack of consistent offensive production continued to plague the Bills.
Last time in Playoffs: 1999 season. Lost in the Wild Card Round, 22-16, to the Tennessee Titans.
*Last time in Super Bowl: *1993 season. Lost Super Bowl XXVIII, 30-13, to the Dallas Cowboys.
*Super Bowl Championships: *None.
2015 Pro Bowl Selections: DE-Mario Williams, DT-Kyle Williams, DT-Marcel Darius
