Buffalo Bills: 5 observations from preseason win over Detroit Lions

Mixed results from special teams 

The Bills’ special teams unit produced some positive results in the kicking and punting departments as both Matt Haack and Tyler Bass performed well in the preseason opener.

Haack, who was previously the punter for the Miami Dolphins, had a solid outing in his Bills debut. On five punts, the 27-year-old placed three inside Detroit’s 20-yard line and averaged 40.8-yards-per-punt. His best boot of the night was an impressive 54-yarder that flipped the field.

Bass picked up where he left off in his rookie season. The kicker nailed all three of his field goals – from 50 yards, 44 yards, and 37 yards – while also tacking on an extra point. His final kick of the game from 44 yards secured the win for Buffalo.

With the team looking for someone to fill the void of the departed Andre Roberts, the return game didn’t yield any spectacular results. Isaiah McKenzie and Brandon Powell handled Buffalo’s two punt returns, with McKenzie gaining three yards on his attempt while Powell was stuffed for no yards on his.

Nothing outstanding happened in the kick return game, either, as McKenzie and Powell each returned one kick while Marquez Stevenson returned three kickoffs. Powell only managed 17 yards, McKenzie ran his out for 24 yards, while Stevenson averaged 24.7-yards-per-return with a long of 25 yards.