Carolina Panthers: Top storylines for matchup against Buffalo Bills

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CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 17: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers rushes the ball against the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

The Carolina Panthers have begun preparation for the first preseason game of the 2018 season. These are the top storylines for their matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night.

For the first time since the Carolina Panthers walked off the field in their playoff loss against the New Orleans Saints, they will be playing in an NFL game. It may only be preseason but it will be the beginning of the 2018 journey as the team tries for consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.

The Panthers first preseason game will have plenty of familiar faces on the other sideline as they take on the Buffalo Bills. The team is led by head coach Sean McDermott, who was the Panthers’ defensive coordinator two years ago, Kelvin Benjamin, who was traded from the Panthers to the Bills last year, and Star Lotulelei, who joined the Bills in free agency this offseason.

The preseason is typically a time for NFL teams to evaluate their roster and give their players a chance to make a case that they deserve a spot on the 53-man roster. However, this game could have a little more meaning due to how closely these two organizations are connected.

These are the top storylines for the Carolina Panthers entering their first preseason game of the 2018 season against the Buffalo Bills.

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