Buffalo Rumblinks, 8/19: Observations from Buffalo's blowout preseason loss
After the dust had settled from the debacle in the Windy City — the worst preseason loss in at least the last 50 years of the franchise — today's edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by examining what went right and what went wrong from a game described by McDermott as 'certainly not up to our standard.'
Bills loss to Bears is 'concerning'
Buffalo kept a majority of their starters on the sidelines for the entirety of this Week 2 clash in Chicago, but regardless of who took the field, there wasn't much to like from this lopsided defeat.
At one point in the first half, Chicago had scored more points (28) than Buffalo had amassed in total yards of offense (22). Buffalo's defense consistently gave up big chunk plays, whether the quarterback was Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent or third-stringer Austin Reed as Chicago finished with 528 yards of offense while limiting Buffalo to 180 total yards of offense. Buffalo's offense underwhelmed all day long and couldn't convert a single third-down attempt. The defense failed to generate much pressure and the secondary was burned time and again.
One of the biggest questions left to be answered: After Cole Bishop and Damar Hamlin struggled, do the Bills have a problem at safety opposite Taylor Rapp?
Plus, below catch up on positional grades and examine which players helped their chances of making the 53-man roster — including wide receiver Tyrell Shavers, wide receiver/returner Laviska Shenault, backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky, defensive back Jordan Hancock, and punter Brad Robbins — and who saw their stock fall in the defeat, including safeties Cole Bishop and Damar Hamlin, backup QB Mike White, offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark, linebacker Joe Andreessen, and wide receiver Elijah Moore.
Bills observations: Most starters watch from sideline as Bears roll to 38-0 preseason win – Buffalo News (subscription required)
Buffalo Bills face major safety questions after blowout loss to Bears (Takeaways) – newyorkupstate.com
Bills depth chart projection 4.0: Bad loss to Bears raises questions – Democrat & Chronicle
Carucci Take 2: Only plus in Bills' ugly showing vs. Bears? It's only preseason – WGRZ
Top 3 things we learned from Bills at Bears | 2025 Preseason Week 2 – BuffaloBills.com
5 takeaways from Bills embarrassing preseason loss to Bears – Democrat & Chronicle
3 observations from Bills' preseason embarrassment against Bears – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
OPINION: Arrow Up/Arrow Down: Bills at Bears preseason – WGR 550
Bills stock report: Who's up and who's down after preseason shutout loss to Bears – The Athletic (subscription required)
2 winners & 4 losers from Bills' dreadful loss to Bears in Preseason Week 2 – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
Bills' safety play raises concerns after 38-0 preseason loss to Bears (stock up/stock down) – newyorkupstate.com
Bills-Bears preseason game No. 2: Here's whose stock went up and whose stock went down – Buffalo News (subscription required)
Bills stock up, stock down after listless preseason loss to Bears – Democrat & Chronicle
Bills play their backups and get blown out by the Bears: Final score, recap, photos – newyorkupstate.com
Bears 38, Bills 0 | Final score, game highlights, key stats | Preseason Week 2 – BuffaloBills.com
Caleb Williams looks sharp in Ben Johnson's offense as Bears rout Bills 38-0 in preseason – ESPN
Bills mauled by Bears in second preseason game – WGR 550
Buffalo Bills safeties have a rough night in Chicago: 'A lot that needs to be cleaned up' – Buffalo News (subscription required)
PFF grades: Rookie TE and free agent pass-rusher shine in Bills' preseason shutout loss – newyorkupstate.com
Bills PFF grades: Veteran wide receiver one of worst in NFL in preseason – Democrat & Chronicle
Josh Allen's backup QB unchanged after woeful Mike White performance in Bills' loss – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
Bears being 'unaffected' by Bills' defense should concern second-year coordinator – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
Bears expose Bills' troubling defensive weakness in primetime preseason debacle – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
NFL preseason Week 2 takeaways: Can Washington's run game survive without Brian Robinson Jr.? – ESPN
Bills' historic preseason blowout loss to Bears comes with shocking silver lining – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
What we learned from NFL preseason games: Jaxson Dart shined, a Colts QB call is coming – The Athletic (subscription required)
Bills reaction to blowout in the Windy City
We hear from head coach Sean McDermott about why he is 'concerned' following Buffalo's lackluster loss to Chicago, and from players like safety Cole Bishop, offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark, and defensive tackle Deone Walker on what the team can learn from this setback.
McDermott didn't see Bills' standard in blowout loss to Bears – WGR 550
Bills called out by McDermott after blowout loss – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
Everything Sean McDermott said after Bills preseason clunker against Bears – Democrat & Chronicle
Bills HC Sean McDermott: Preseason blowout loss to Bears 'certainly not up to our standard' – NFL.com
Sean McDermott 'concerned' after Bills' preseason dud – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
'No matter what, we are going to fight' | Bills players reflect after loss in Chicago – BuffaloBills.com
Even more Bills news
Explaining why center Connor McGovern should be the next Bill to receive a contract extension; learn which Bills could be trade candidates and which safeties Buffalo could pursue to shore up the position; and more!
Why the Bills should prioritize an extension for center Connor McGovern – Buffalo Bills (subscription required)
3 Buffalo Bills who could be trade assets following NFL Preseason – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
3 safeties Bills should pursue following Sunday's defensive meltdown – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
How NFL talent evaluators, coaches rank the top players 25 and under entering 2025 season – The Athletic (subscription required)
Jim Kelly shares emotional update: Newborn grandson out of hospital – Democrat & Chronicle
Alan Pergament: Josh Allen's Cowboys coming to Highmark; WGRZ Ch. 2 reporter leaving – Buffalo News (subscription required)
Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
Bills play truly awful preseason football against the Chicago Bears – Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo Bills work out four players on Monday, August 18 – Buffalo Rumblings
Are Cole Bishop's preseason struggles overblown, or a real concern? – Buffalo Rumblings
Bills LB Joe Andreessen struggles in primetime – Buffalo Rumblings
90 Buffalo Bills players in 90 days: DT T.J. Sanders – Buffalo Rumblings
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