After a lazy effort in Pittsburgh last week, the Buffalo Bills atoned for their poor performance this week in a win over the Chicago Bears.
Buffalo's defensive starters took the field first and immediately forced a three-and-out. On the ensuing possession, Josh Allen and the Bills offense drove the field 72 yards in 12 plays to take a 7-0 lead.
Last week left much to be desired from Buffalo's starting units, and Saturday allowed them to redeem themselves. Here are three takeaways from the Bills' preseason finale.
3 key takeaways from Buffalo Bills final preseason game
Starting defense looks prepared for the regular season
Buffalo's first-team defense looked to be in midseason form in limited action. The execution of Sean McDermott's scheme was flawless on the game's opening possession.
On the first snap, the Bears' offensive line could not contain Buffalo's talented defensive front. Ed Oliver's explosive burst off the snap disrupted the play's rhythm, immediately collapsing the offensive line, making the tackle on Chicago's Khalil Herbert for no gain. This early disruption set the tone for the entire drive. As the drive continued, Buffalo's secondary made its presence felt, causing two consecutive incompletions, which forced the Bears to punt.
The heightened urgency on the field was particularly striking in Buffalo's performance. Last week, the Bills appeared flat on defense, and the Pittsburgh Steelers took advantage. This week, Buffalo's defense was far more dialed in. They seemingly anticipated the Bears' plays, reacting with exceptional decision-making that left Chicago's offense searching for answers.
In their short time on the field, Buffalo's starting defense displayed the hallmarks of a championship-caliber unit: cohesion, adaptability, and an unyielding commitment to their coach's defensive philosophy. As the regular season approaches, the confidence gained from such a performance will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for their aspirations of defensive excellence.