LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears head coach Ben Johnson recognized the challenge his team faced Friday at Halas Hall. The Bears welcomed in the Bills, a team that has won the AFC East for five straight years.
“We’ve got a Super Bowl contender in town,” Johnson said Friday before a joint practice between the teams. “And we’ll find out a lot about our team.”
The Bills won the day in the joint practice, asserting themselves well on both sides of the football. Buffalo’s defense provided a formidable challenge for Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams and a developing offense. Meanwhile, reigning MVP Josh Allen tested the Bears' defense.
One week after the Bears had success against the Dolphins in a joint practice, the Bills proved to be a different challenge.
Williams had his moments against the Bills’ defense. During a red-zone period, he had touchdown passes on consecutive plays – a strike to second-year receiver Rome Odunze in the end zone and then a connection with reserve receiver Maurice Alexander on a pick play near the goal line.
The highlight of the day for Williams and the Bears offense came on a third-and-2 play from the Bills’ 45-yard line. Williams found receiver Olamide Zaccheaus on a quick strike, and he broke free of defenders and ran for the touchdown.
But the Bears also endured several pre-snap penalties, which have been a frequent issue during training camp. And on this day, the Bills matched the physicality of the Bears, who pushed around the Dolphins last Friday.
"That's a team right there, and they got some guys," Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland said. "Yeah, it kind of shows you, we wouldn't want to play anybody but the best. They came in here, they were very competitive, very chirpy, and that's how we wanted it.
"A lot to learn from it."
Allen was lockstep with receiver Keon Coleman, including on a touchdown strike through a broken coverage by the Bears. The Bills’ offense also gathered to celebrate as backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky – the No. 2 overall pick of Chicago in the 2017 NFL Draft – connected on a touchdown strike against the Bears’ second-team defense.
The Bears’ best play of the day on defense came when safety Kevin Byard outjumped tight end Dalton Kincaid in a seven-on-seven drill to pick off Allen’s pass. Byard also had an interception last Friday against Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
While the Bears won the day against the Dolphins last week, they learned plenty Friday as the Bills showcased themselves as a championship-caliber team. The Bears and Bills will meet Sunday evening at Soldier Field in preseason action, with a scoreboard determining the winner this time. The Bears will play their starters after most of them sat out of the preseason opener.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.