#265 Buffalo Bills
vs.
#266 Detroit Lions
Ford Field, Detroit
Written by Chris Kubala
In what seems like an annual event, a pair of teams from the Rust Belt lock up in preseason NFL action from the Motor City. The Buffalo Bills are on the road as they take on the Detroit Lions Friday night in the last major tune-up for both teams. Buffalo rolled to an easy 27-14 win on the road over Carolina last Friday night in their week 2 matchup. Detroit was dropped 30-23 on the road by Houston in their week 2 contest Saturday night. The Bills own a 6-4-1 edge in the all-time regular season series between the teams, including a 14-13 home win in the last matchup on December 16, 2018.
Buffalo Bills Impressive in Preseason Action
Buffalo held the Colts in check in the opening game of the preseason and they were effective in their second game against the Panthers as their defense did the job. The Bills seemed to click on both sides of the ball in the early going as they jumped to a 17-0 lead and didn’t look back en route to the victory. Buffalo held a commanding 373-258 advantage in total offense, picked up 20 first downs to Carolina’s 18 and won the time of possession battle 31:40 to 28:20 in the contest. The Bills’ early success on both sides of the ball helped overcome losing the turnover battle 2-1: they did convert their takeaway into seven points as Kevin Johnson had a pick-six in the second quarter. Josh Allen, surrounded by new talent, hit nine of 11 throws for 102 yards in the win.
It's @ChristianWade3's world, we're just living in it. 🤩#GoBills | #BUFvsCAR pic.twitter.com/WhEzNSCKNp
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 17, 2019
Allen has completed 15 of 22 passes for 168 yards in the preseason as he’s working on his accuracy and decision making as opposed to running the ball. Matt Barkley is entrenched as the #2 quarterback: he’s 17 of 24 for 236 yards and two scores. Tyree Jackson, from the University of Buffalo, has struggled and is a project-type guy: he’s six of 20 for 113 yards and an interception while adding 32 yards on the ground. There is plenty of competition for spots on the running back depth chart behind LeSean McCoy (four carries, six yards, TD) and Frank Gore (two carries, seven yards): third-round pick Devin Singletary (11 carries, 33 yards, six catches, 46 yards) has impressed as has Christian Wade (three carries, 69 yards, TD, one reception, 48 yards) in their action. That could make life tough for T.J. Yeldon (nine carries, 34 yards two receptions, 20 yards), Senorise Perry (five carries, 13 yards) and Marcus Murphy (12 carries, 54 yards) to earn a spot. Cole Beasley (six receptions, 57 yards) has looked sharp while Duke Williams (three catches, 39 yards, TD) and Isaiah McKenzie (three grabs, 99 yards) are impressing as they battle for a spot. The kicking game will be interesting as Stephen Hauschka (five of five extra points, one of three field goals, long of 30) has struggled, giving Chase McLaughlin (one of one extra points, two of two field goals, long of 38) a chance to impress.