Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - After a low-scoring start to the preseason on Saturday, the Buffalo Bills let the game get away from them in the second half, as the Chicago Bears come away with a 33-6 win at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Leading up to Saturday's preseason opener, it was known the Bills were planning to play a number of starters for about a quarter, including quarterback Josh Allen.
A quarter of action was all Allen played on Saturday, as he played just parts of two series, completing 2-of-3 passes for 22 yards.
Meanwhile, the Bears officially debuted quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Williams led all quarterbacks in passing, going 4-of-7 for 95 yards on the opening two drives for Chicago.
It was an impressive first drive from Chicago, as Williams hit running back D'Andre Swift for a big 42-yard gain into Buffalo territory. However, the Bills defense held strong in the red zone, limiting the Bears to a 30-yard field goal from kicker Cairo Santos.
The Bills had an injury scare right from the start, as defensive tackle Ed Oliver came up hobbling on the first offensive play for Chicago. The good news is Oliver was cleared to return from a knee injury, but did not play the remainder of the game.
After a three-and-out on the Bills' opening drive, Williams and the Bears drove down the field once again and into Buffalo territory. Once again, though, the Bills defense didn't give Chicago a chance at the end zone, forcing another Santos field goal to extend the Bears' lead to 6-0.
Just before Allen was pulled from game action at the end of the first quarter, he helped get the ball rolling on Buffalo's first scoring drive. Allen was able to convert a big third down as he took off for a seven-yard run.
At the start of the second quarter, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky took over the Buffalo offense under center.
Trubisky capped off the drive by getting the offense into the red zone, but failing to find the end zone after missing on a couple pass attempts to rookie wideout Keon Coleman.
Buffalo did put its first points on the board, though, with Tyler Bass converting from 24 yards out to cut the Bears lead to 6-3.
Following Buffalo's second drive, the Bears ended Williams' afternoon and replaced him with Tyson Bagnet under center.
The rest of the half saw both teams failing to do much offensively, resulting in the score remaining 6-3 in favor of the Bears heading into the locker room.
After a Bills punt to open the second half, the Bears finally found the end zone with a four-yard touchdown run by Velus Jones Jr., extending Chicago's lead to 13-3.
Bills third string quarterback Shane Buechele entered the game on the second drive of the third quarter, and he was able to lead Buffalo on another scoring drive, this time cutting the lead to seven with a 49-yard field goal from Bass.
The fourth quarter is where the game started to fall apart for many of the Bills' depth players battling for roster spots.
With the Bills looking to even the score early in the final quarter of play, a pass from Buechele intended for undrafted running back Frank Gore Jr. was picked off by Bears linebacker Micah Baskerville, who returned it 53 yards for a touchdown.
A little later in the quarter, after a shanked punt from Sam Martin deep in Buffalo territory, the Bears only needed three plays to find the end zone again. This time, it was running back Ian Wheeler finding the end zone from seven yards out.
After a failed drive for Buffalo led to a turnover on downs, Wheeler scored his second touchdown in as many drives, this time from eight yards out to officially blow the game open, 33-6.
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GAME SUMMARY
First Quarter:
- 3-0 CHICAGO: Bears field goal (10:03) - Cairo Santos' 30-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 8 plays, 58 yards, 4:57
- 6-0 CHICAGO: Bears field goal (2:13) - Cairo Santos' 31-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 12 plays, 84 yards, 5:39
Second Quarter:
- 6-3 CHICAGO: Bills field goal (9:15) - Tyler Bass' 24-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 18 plays, 78 yards, 7:58
Third Quarter:
- 13-3 CHICAGO: Bears touchdown (7:46) - Velus Jones Jr. rushes for a 4-yard touchdown. (Cairo Santos' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 59 yards, 4:28
- 13-6 CHICAGO: Bills field goal (2:54) - Tyler Bass' 49-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 9 plays, 36 yards, 4:52
Fourth Quarter:
- 19-6 CHICAGO: Bears touchdown (14:08) - Micah Baskerville picks off Shane Buechele and returns it 53 yards for a touchdown. (Cairo Santos' extra point attempt is no good)
- 26-6 CHICAGO: Bears touchdown (6:03) - Ian Wheeler carries the ball for a 7-yard touchdown run. (Cairo Santos' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 3 plays, 37 yards, 1:11
- 33-6 CHICAGO: Bears touchdown (2:24) - Ian Wheeler rushes for a 7-yard touchdown. (Cairo Santos' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 3 plays, 37 yards, 1:11
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SKYWORKS EQUPIMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME
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What's next:
The Bills will head to Pittsburgh for a joint practice with the Steelers on Thursday. The two teams will then play in their second preseason game of the year on Saturday from Acrisure Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.