Takeaways from Bills' preseason loss to Giants

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2 days ago

Though All-22 analysis isn't yet available, leveraging social media for good allows us to look back at Buffalo's Week 1 preseason loss
The preseason wounds are still fresh following the Buffalo Bills' 34-25 home loss to the New York Giants. If you weren't able or interested in giving the game your attention, first understand that NFL MVP quarterback Josh Allen didn't take a snap on Saturday afternoon. It was the Mitch Trubisky show, with head coach Sean McDermott and offensive coordinator anxious to see how QB11 did with (most of) the team's starting offense.
Bills searching for QB answer behind Josh Allen
By all accounts, Trubisky performed well, finishing 9-of-13 for 138 yards with one passing touchdown. Though he wasn't credited with any rushing stats, Trubisky did show off a bit of behind-the-line / pocket mobility a fair amount of Bills Mafia had never seen before.
The quarterback battle holds heat only as far as the idea of QB2 behind Allen gets a person. Regardless of who's available and rostered behind the reigning MVP, things are going to play out much different than is ideal. Did anyone else in the room make noise to rattle Trubisky's chances at the role? Mike White may hold some sway in the argument, with him finishing 8-of-13 for 112 yards and two passing touchdowns. As for Shane Buechele, he went a perfect 8-of-8 for 89 yards.
Remember, Trubisky's efforts came against a very talented group of starting Giants defenders. All told, Bills quarterbacks went a combined 25-of-34 for 339 yards, with three touchdowns.
Three Bills questions entering 2025 season
Since exiting the playoffs once again at the hands (and feet) of the Kansas City Chiefs, three things stood out with Bills Mafia:
Buffalo must figure out their defensive line woes;
the Bills need a more potent group of pass catchers;
what will the team do about James Cook, and why isn't he on the field when they need him most?
With those three ideas in mind, let's take a look back at more of what went down in Orchard Park, NY on Saturday.
Bills DL additions making early impact
Regarding the defensive line, general manager Brandon Beane once again made a concerted effort to overhaul the unit where it was most observably deficient. Gone now is edge rusher Von Miller, replaced, in part, by edge rusher Joey Bosa. But also by other significant additions such as defensive end Michael Hoecht and rookie edge rusher Landon Jackson.
How did that trio perform? Bosa didn't record an official stat, but he did have a couple pressures and he looked dominant in the early going.
Hoecht had one tackle, and Jackson appeared to struggle in his first live action, receiving a penalty that negated a would-be-turnover. That said, it's too challenging to get a true read on these guys simply because of their limited time on the field, their relative newness to the team and, in the case of Jackson, seeing his first action as a rookie. It's best for the Bills if Bosa stays healthy early in the season, given Hoecht's six-game suspension and Jackson's wet-behind-the-ears status.
Bills rookie DTs have promising debut against Giants
Beane also made a series of moves at defensive tackle despite the presence of Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones. Buffalo drafted a pair of defensive tackles in T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker, and both rookies stole the show. The future looks bright for the interior of the Bills' d-line.
Deone Walker is going to be a problem:
T.J. Sanders also joined the party, but just a moment too late against what was an incredibly quick throw by Dart:
Plenty of passes, lots to dissect
Looking at the pass catchers, from receivers wide and otherwise, to tight ends and running backs, well… there's promise all around, but plenty of opportunity to redirect and improve on. A combined 18 players were targeted on Saturday, with 17 catching at least one pass. That's more revealing of the evaluation process than any game plan (a plan that's fully absent, per McDermott).
Who fared best? That's a nuanced discussion since one must consider something Bruce Nolan is quick to remind: It's who plays, and when, that matters most in the preseason. With wide receivers Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel both sidelined against the Giants, there was room for others to shine as starters. It was a mixed bag, honestly. Let's dive in…
Arrow Up, Arrow Down: WRs
Arrow down: Keon Coleman did catch his only target, but it went for zero yards. He was involved in 14 offensive plays in three drives with the starters. For now, let's chalk this up to a lack of chemistry with Trubisky.
Arrow up: Joshua Palmer seemed to have the most chemistry with Trubisky, grabbing two of three targets sent his way for 21 yards. Palmer's work with Allen has been highlighted often this summer.
Arrow steady: Elijah Moore (no recorded stats) would have likely had a much better afternoon if Trubisky saw him open in the first half. Watch 18 here, and just imagine Josh Allen working through his reads:
Arrow up: Tyrell Shavers put together a fantastic afternoon, catching 2-of-4 passes for 70 yards. It may be difficult keeping him off the 53-man roster. Here's his 58-yard reception that would have been a touchdown with a better throw:
Arrow up: K.J. Hamler (of 'Hard Knock' scooter fame) only caught one pass, but what a moment it was for Hamler — a 39-yard touchdown pass from Mike White in the third quarter:
Arrow Up, Arrow Down: TEs
Buffalo's tight ends had a solid, if mostly unmemorable day — even with a touchdown grab in the picture. Dawson Knox ran two routes on five snaps played, catching his only target for 11 yards and a score. Dalton Kincaid played four snaps, running three routes and catching his only target for 10 yards. Zach Davidson
Arrow up: Tight end Dawson Knox doing what he does best, catching touchdowns. Try as many wish the Bills might, Buffalo has a reliable end zone receiver in Knox and it would be foolish to hide him on the bench in critical scoring moments:
Arrow down: The biggest concern with Dalton Kincaid right now is how and when he's used. Knox appears to be the go-to over Kincaid — with the younger 'DK' seeing a 50% snap share and 60% route participation rate per Pro Football Focus. It isn't that Kincaid lacks for ability with the Bills. It's that offensive coordinator Joe Brady has yet to scheme more for Kincaid's involvement as a receiver. But don't overreact yet: His latest stats came during preseason play.
Arrow steady: Jackson Hawes and Zach Davidson. Hawes flashed as a run blocker, which may bode well for him during final roster decisions. How, for Davidson, if he didn't manage to catch his only target? Davidson made a heck of a play to knock a near-certain interception away. Davidson brings a lot to the table as a third tight end, and one long incomplete pass shouldn't change that situation. This may be an unpopular opinion, I understand.
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Arrow steady: Offensive roster depth. No one targeted by Buechele dropped a pass, which means that for as impressive as running back Frank Gore Jr.'s five-for-five for 50 yards effort looks and rookie wide receiver Stephen Gosnell's four-for-four for 30 yards performance, they came while playing late in action with the third-string quarterback.
LB Matt Milano playing throwback football
If you haven't heard it yet this summer, linebacker Matt Milano looks like his old, healthy self again.
DB Jordan Hancock continues turning heads
Plenty of people have noticed the play by rookie defensive back Jordan Hancock, including that of his head coach, who said: 'There are certain players you could feel showed up… Jordan being one of them,' per Ryan Talbot. Keep an eye on number 37.
What's the Bills' plan at RB?
Like anything in life, opinions are divided on what the Bills should about running back James Cook. He's the team's second-best offensive weapon beyond Josh Allen, and he wants to be paid well. None of that's news to those following the team.
With Cook warming up on Saturday but not playing, it's anyone's guess as to when and how things will sort out for 2025 and beyond. Immediately, that opened things up a bit for Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Darrynton Evans, and Frank Gore Jr. to see more playing time. How'd they fare?
Ray Davis got the start, rushing four times for seven yards / one catch (two targets) for seven yards / one successful XP;
Ty Johnson carried the ball three times for 26 yards;
Darrynton Evans had two runs for four yards / two catches (two targets) for 14 yards and one touchdown;
Frank Gore Jr. — five carries for 21 yards / five catches (five targets) for 50 yards.
On the surface, it would seem that Gore had the most productive day outside the end zone, with Evans the only back to hit pay dirt. Ray Davis posted the most underwhelming stats, but did so against the Giants' starters. For some reason, Ty Johnson wasn't targeted in the passing game.
Right now, the Bills' running back room has the feel of 'solid, not spectacular.' Cook has proven capable of taking this team to the next level, with the rest of the room showing best in relief. That's not a knock among any of Davis, Johnson, Evans, or Gore. It's just that Buffalo would be wise to see that they don't lose a premiere player at a position too often underappreciated.
That caveat about this being preseason football also rears its head again, certainly. Will Cook find reason to hold-in once the games count and sizeable checks are subtracted from his salary?
Who and what else stood out? Sound off in the comments!