Bills’ Preseason Opener Reveals Concerns on Defense and Discipline

The Buffalo Bills began their 2024 preseason with a disappointing 33-6 loss to the Chicago Bears , a game that exposed several areas of concern as the team prepares for the regular season. With star quarterback Josh Allen and many other key starters seeing limited action, the focus shifted to evaluating depth and performance across the roster. While some aspects of the game were promising, others highlighted the work that remains to be done.

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One of the few bright spots for the Bills was the performance of kicker Tyler Bass . In a game where the offense struggled to find the end zone, Bass provided some stability by converting both of his field goal attempts, including a solid 49-yarder. As the Bills look to improve their red-zone efficiency, having a reliable kicker like Bass will be crucial, and his performance on Saturday suggests he is in peak form heading into the regular season.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott made his presence felt late in the game by successfully challenging two key plays in the preseason opener. The first challenge came in the second quarter when McDermott overturned a crucial sideline catch by Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent , giving the Bills’ defense another opportunity to halt Chicago’s momentum. In the fourth quarter, McDermott struck again, challenging a first down by Bears third-string quarterback Brett Rypien . The successful challenge forced Chicago to punt, returning possession to the Bills and helping them stay competitive. With two successful challenges under his belt, McDermott earned the Bills a potential third challenge, showcasing his sharp instincts and game management skills, which will be vital as the team heads into the regular season.

Related: Bills Fall to Bears Following Brutal Second Half

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The Bills' defense, typically a strength, struggled mightily against the Bears. Despite Chicago running only 52 plays, they managed to accumulate 340 yards of total offense, including 141 yards on the ground. The inability to contain the run and limit big plays was a significant issue, revealing that Buffalo’s defense has work to do before they are ready for regular-season action. Improving their defensive schemes and tackling will be key focuses in the coming weeks.

Penalties were another major concern for the Bills , as they racked up 11 penalties for 75 yards. This lack of discipline disrupted any momentum the team tried to build and stifled offensive drives before they could gain traction. While it's common for teams to experience early-season rust, such a high number of penalties is alarming and will need to be addressed quickly to avoid similar issues during the regular season.