Chicago, Ill. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - After taking part in a joint practice with the Bears on Friday in Chicago, the Buffalo Bills suited up to play their second preseason game of the season on Sunday against this same Bears squad at Soldier Field.
However, it was a one-sided affair from the start, as the Bears blew the Bills right out of the "Windy City" with a 38-0 win. The Bills only gained a total of 180 yards offensively to Chicago's 528 total yards of offense.
The Bears got the game started with their first-team offense taking the field against the Bills' second-team defense. This meant a number of Chicago starters, including quarterback Caleb Williams, got some game action.
Williams and the Bears offense jumped right on the Buffalo backups, marching down the field on seven plays to find the end zone with wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus taking a 35-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown.
Meanwhile, the Bills elected not to start several starters on the offensive side of the football, including quarterback Josh Allen. However, it was Mike White getting the start under center for Buffalo over Mitch Trubisky, as the competition for the backup quarterback role added a wrinkle to it.
However, Buffalo's opening offensive drive didn't go so well, as a pair of false start penalties on tackle Ryan Van Demark backed the Bills up on third down, and then a drop from Elijah Moore on a screen pass forced the offense to go three-and-out.
After both teams exchanged punts on their next drive, Williams' night was over for the Bears, as he was replaced by backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.
Bagent proceeded to lead a methodical drive into the opening moments of the second quarter, as the Bears went 12 plays and chewed 5:50 off the clock to go up 14-0 with a one-yard touchdown run from running back Brittain Brown.
After another three-and-out from the Buffalo offense, the Bears quickly extended their lead to 21-0 with a five-play drive that ended with Bagent finding wide receiver Tyler Scott for an 11-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone.
Following another disastrous three-and-out from the Bills offense, the Bears tacked on another seven points with the clock bleeding below the two-minute warning. This time, running back Ian Wheeler found the end zone from one-yard out on a 4th-and-goal.
After a fourth-down sack by Michael Hoecht with five seconds left in the first half, the Bills had one last chance to put up some points with a long field goal from Caden Davis. However, his 56-yard attempt ended up being pushed wide to the right.
The third quarter opened with Trubisky back under center for the Bills, and a bit more life for the Buffalo offense. However, the Bills still came away with no points on the scoreboard after Buffalo failed to convert on a fourth down just past midfield.
The Bears then turned that turnover on downs around into three more points, thanks to a 40-yard field goal from kicker Cairo Santos.
With time ticking down in the third quarter, the Bills were presented a golden chance to finally put up some points, but a turnover deep in Chicago territory killed all momentum. After an 11-yard catch by running back Frank Gore Jr. at the Bears' 10-yard line, he had the ball punched out of his hands by linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga, which was then recovered by defensive end Xavier Carlton.
The Bears then proceeded to go on another long drive, this one going 14 plays and killing 7:36 off the clock, capped off with another touchdown run from Wheeler, this one from 10 yards out.
Buffalo's next offensive drive saw quarterback Shane Buechele enter the game, but it didn't provide any further spark to the Bills than the other two signal callers. Despite getting into Chicago territory once again, the Bills failed to convert on a 4th-and-4 throw intended for wide receiver Deon Cain.
The Bears then closed out their dominating win by marching all the way inside the Bills' five-yard line before kneeling out the rest of the game clock.
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SCORING RECAP:
First Quarter:
- 7-0 CHICAGO: Bears touchdown (11:01) - Caleb Williams connects with Olamide Zaccheaus, who takes off for a 35-yard catch-and-run touchdown. (Cairo Santos' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 7 plays, 92 yards, 3:59
Second Quarter:
- 14-0 CHICAGO: Bears touchdown (13:45) - Brittain Brown cuts to his right and finds the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown run. (Cairo Santos' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 12 plays, 86 yards, 5:50
- 21-0 CHICAGO: Bears touchdown (9:42) - Tyson Bagent rolls to his right and fires an 11-yard strike to the corner of the end zone to Tyler Scott for a touchdown. (Cairo Santos' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 5 plays, 61 yards, 2:24
- 28-0 CHICAGO: Bears touchdown (1:50) - Ian Wheeler punches the ball in to the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown run. (Cairo Santos' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 12 plays, 84 yards, 5:37
Third Quarter:
- 31-0 CHICAGO: Bears Field Goal (8:33) - Cairo Santos' 40-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 6 plays, 25 yards, 2:01
Fourth Quarter:
- 38-0 CHICAGO: Bears Touchdown (9:35) - Ian Wheeler weaves his way into the end zone with a 10-yard touchdown run. (Cairo Santos' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 14 plays, 86 yards, 7:36
SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills will wrap up the preseason on Saturday when they travel to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.