Tampa, Fla. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 23-19, on Saturday night to finish the 2025 preseason with a 1-2 record.
Here are my Arrow Up and Down from the game, starting Up for the first time this season:
ARROW UP:
QB - Shane Buechele
Buechele was terrific on the evening, finishing 25-of-30 (an impressive 83.3%) for 278 yards and a touchdown. He also ran five times for 20 yards, collecting 298 total yards on the night.
He was in command and dialed in throughout the night.
WR - Tyrell Shavers
Shavers may have made the 53-man roster with his terrific one-handed catch for a touchdown. He finished with a pair of grabs for 24 yards and the touchdown.
DT - Deone Walker
The rookie was noticeable not just because of his size, but also his production, finishing with four total tackles, including one for a loss, a half-a-sack, and a quarterback pressure.
Frank Gore Jr. and Elijah Young
I didn't want to separate the two backs, because they both ran well and looked good in the receiving game.
Gore ended the game with three carries for 32 yards, plus a pair of catches for 29 yards. Young led all players with 53 yards rushing and had another 40 receiving for a 93-yard night!
Zach Davidson
Holy cow, what a punt by Davidson!
He was a punter in college, and was pressed into duty on Saturday, because Brad Robbins was sick. Davidson bombed one 62 yards, and also pinned the Buccaneers inside their 20-yard line on another punt.
Davidson then added two catches for 27 yards as a receiver.
S - Cole Bishop
Bishop only played the first quarter, but looked healthy and confident, making a pair of tackles.
LB - Jimmy Ciarlo
Ciarlo continued to impress with his athleticism and versatility, collecting five total tackles and recovering a fumble.
LB - Joe Andreessen
After a rough outing last week, Andreessen was back making solid tackles and finishing plays. He accounted for six total tackles, including one for a loss.
Run defense
The Bills allowed just 45 yards and 2.6 yards per-carry on the ground.
Tyler Bass' first five kicks
Bass connected on field goals of 37, 37, and 39 yards, as well as two extra point attempts on his first five kick attempts of the preseason.
Penalties
The Bills played a disciplined game, being called for just two penalties for 10 yards.
No injuries
It appears as though there were no significant injuries to any Bills players, which is a welcome outcome for a team dealing with several of them right now.
ARROW DOWN:
Kick coverage
The Bills' kick coverage was not good. Tampa averaged 38 yards per-kick return. Following kickoffs from Buffalo, the Buccaneers started at their own 29, 48, 49, and 35, and also the Bills' 35-yard line.
That's far too many short fields, and far too short.
WR - Laviska Shenault Jr.
It looked like Shenault was responsible for outside contain on, at least, one of the big kick returns. He caught one pass for 13 yards and didn't make the kind of impression he may have needed to be considered for a roster spot.
CB - Daequan Hardy
Hardy drew a tough assignment in the slot against speedy Tez Johnson. Although it wasn't always against him, Johnson caught eight passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Tyler Bass' missed field goal
After going five for his first five kicks, Bass missed a chip-shot 26-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter.
Third down offense
The Bills were just 3-for-9 (33.3%) on third down.
Third down defense
Once again, third down defense was an issue for the Bill, as Tampa Bay converted 8-of-13 chances (61%).
Red zone offense
Buffalo was just 2-for-5 (40%) scoring touchdowns once in the Tampa Bay red zone.
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