Chicago, Ill. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills wrap up their 2023 preseason schedule on Saturday with a 24-21 win over the Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Heading into the game, it was made clear by head coach Sean McDermott that starters like Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs and others will play in the preseason finale. As it turns out, they only needed one series of action before being allowed to take a seat for the rest of the afternoon.
The Buffalo defense got off to a great start on Saturday, as they forced a three-and-out of the Bears on the opening drive of the game and a Chicago punt.
The Bills offense came out of the gate flying under Allen, as he helped drive his team down the field with ease. Allen hit Diggs and wideout Deonte Harty twice for first downs, while running back James Cook carried the ball four times on the drive.
Buffalo capped things off with a two-yard touchdown run from running back Damien Harris to put the Bills up 7-0.
On the drive, Allen was able to go 5-of-7 for 49 yards, which is all the team needed to see before backup quarterback Kyle Allen took over the offense for the remainder of the game.
After another three-and-out for the Bills defense, Kyle Allen went to work and got Buffalo into Chicago territory again with a chance to add some points on the board. However, a pass intended for wideout Gabe Davis ended up being intercepted by Tyrique Stevenson at the Bears' 16-yard line.
After two-straight three-and-outs, the Bears offense finally got going and began moving the ball. Justin Fields was able use his feet to gain a couple of first downs, and also used his arm to complete a pass to wide receiver D.J. Moore, who broke free for a big 40-yard gain to get the Bears into the red zone.
After one play to begin the second quarter, the Bears took Fields out of the game and replaced him with backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.
The Bears could only get inside the 10-yard line before an offensive pass interference penalty backed them up, forcing a 34-yard field goal attempt from kicker Cairo Santos.
Following an exchange of punts, the Bills went back to work and added another seven points on the board. With great field position to start the drive, Allen connected with rookie wide receiver Justin Shorter for 18 yards, and eventually found the end zone with a 29-yard strike to tight end Quintin Morris.
After a 56-yard kickoff return from the Bears, Chicago's offense quickly went to work and turned the great field position into seven points. Bagent used his legs on the drive with three rushes, including an eight-yard touchdown run to cut the Bills' lead to 14-10.
Both teams then exchanged turnovers towards the end of the first half. First, Allen ended up fumbling the football to give the Bears prime field position at Buffalo's 26-yard line. However, just two plays later, Bagent tossed an interception to cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram, who returned the ball 36 yards into Chicago territory.
Using the two-minute drill, Allen was able to get the Bills into scoring position, enough for a Tyler Bass 37-yard field goal to put Buffalo up 17-10 at halftime.
It took a good chunk of the third quarter before any team was able to move the ball efficiently down the field. However, Chicago finally got back into scoring position and cut the deficit to 17-13 with a 51-yard field goal from Santos.
The Bills, however, responded well with a nine-play drive that included a few gambles on fourth down. As the game entered the fourth quarter, former Bears running back Darrynton Evans was able to break a handful of tackles for a highlight reel 35-yard touchdown run.
The Bears then turned to third-string quarterback P.J. Walker, but his first drive ends with a three-and-out.
Allen then took the Bills on a 13-play drive and put Buffalo in position to score once again and extend the lead. However, Bass misses a 43-yard field goal, giving the Bears new life with 7:19 remaining.
Despite getting to the Bills' 34-yard line, the Bears failed to turn their opportunity into points, as Buffalo's defense forced a turnover on downs.
After a quick three-and-out, the Bills' punt attempt with 2:33 remaining gets blocked, giving the Bears the ball at Buffalo's 28-yard line.
With great field position and time dwindling, the Bears take full advantage and only need two plays to find the end zone with Walker hitting Robert Burns on a five-yard touchdown pass. Chicago cut the Buffalo lead to 24-21 following a successful two-point conversion attempt.
With just under two minutes left in regulation and a pair of timeouts remaining, the Bears kicked off to Buffalo, trusting their defense to force another punt or turnover. However, a couple of Evans runs for first downs helped cap off a win for the Bills in the final preseason game.
LISTEN LIVE TO WGR:
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GAME SUMMARY
First Quarter:
- 7-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (7:22) - Damien Harris breaks through for a two-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 12 plays, 72 yards, 6:35
Second Quarter:
- 7-3 BUFFALO: Bears field goal (13:00) - Cairo Santos' 34-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 11 plays, 68 yards, 5:01
- 14-3 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (5:39) - Kyle Allen connects with Quintin Morris for a 29-yard touchdown pass. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 4 plays, 50 yards, 2:33
- 14-10 BUFFALO: Bears touchdown (1:53) - Tyson Bagent keeps it himself and finds the end zone with an 8-yard run. (Cairo Santos' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 42 yards, 3:46
- 17-10 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (0:03) - Tyler Bass' 37-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 9 plays, 27 yards, 0:56
Third Quarter:
- 17-13 BUFFALO: Bears field goal (4:14) - Cairo Santos' 51-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 12 plays, 53 yards, 6:54
Fourth Quarter:
- 24-13 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (14:51) - Darrynton Evans breaks free for a 35-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:23
- 24-21 BUFFALO: Bears touchdown (1:58) - P.J. Walker finds Robert Burns for a 5-yard touchdown pass. (Chicago's two-point conversion attempt is successful)
Drive info: 2 plays, 28 yards, 0:30
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
Passing:
Buffalo:
- Kyle Allen: 18-of-24, 162 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Josh Allen: 5-of-7, 49 yards
Chicago:
- P.J. Walker: 6-of-11, 71 yards, 1 TD
- Justin Field: 2-of-6, 51 yards
- Tyson Bagnet: 7-of-14, 43 yards, 1 INT
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Rushing:
Buffalo:
- Darrynton Evans: 9 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD
- Damien Harris: 7 carries, 25 yards, 1 TD
- James Cook: 5 carries, 23 yards
Chicago:
- Tyson Bagnet: 4 carries, 23 yards, 1 TD
- Nsimba Webster: 2 carries, 22 carries
- Khalil Herbert: 2 carries, -1 yard
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Receiving:
Buffalo:
- Quintin Morris: 1 reception, 29 yards, 1 TD
- Deonte Harty: 4 receptions, 23 yards
- Stefon Diggs: 2 receptions, 20 yards
- Gabe Davis: 1 reception, 15 yards
Chicago:
- Stephen Carlson: 3 receptions, 41 yards
- D.J. Moore: 1 reception, 40 yards
- Nsimba Webster: 3 receptions, 37 yards
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Defense:
Buffalo:
- Cam Lewis: 6 total tackles, 1 pass defended
- Ja'Marcus Ingram: 4 total tackles, 1 INT
- A.J. Epenesa: 2 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sacks
- Boogie Basham: 3 total tackles, 1 sack
Chicago:
- A.J. Thomas: 7 total tackles
- Tyrique Stevenson: 3 total tackles, 1 INT
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What's next:
The Bills will roster cut-down day on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, where they will have to finalize their 53-man roster.
Buffalo will next begin its regular season schedule on Monday, Sept. 11 when they take on the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is slated for 8:15 p.m. ET on the official vice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.