The Buffalo Bills are likely going to offer the closest glimpse of what may be coming when the regular season begins.
The Bills announced starters, including quarterback Josh Allen, are going to play about a quarter and a half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at 7 p.m. Saturday. They did offer a caveat in that forecasted rain may alter the amount of time starters see in the second preseason game.
It could be the last chance to see some of the starters, specifically Allen, before the regular season begins. Allen has not played three preseason games since 2019, when it was a four-game slate instead of three.
Even as the starters see extended playing time, the Bills won’t test the depth of their playbook and plays will be geared toward preparation and evaluation more than success. But after attempting three passes in a limited eight-play outing against the Chicago Bears, Allen could be used a little more against the Steelers.
With the exception of 2022 — there were no preseason games in 2020 — Allen has attempted at least 10 passes in a preseason game each year since entering the NFL in 2018. He played an entire half against the Green Bay Packers, attempting 26 passes, in 2021 and went 7 of 10 for 64 yards against the Steelers in the second preseason game last year.
Based on the play calls and the limited action against the Bears, the Bills don’t seem to have concern about Allen’s chemistry with his new receivers. But they might want to give Allen a chance to get into a rhythm with his offensive line and give the entire offense a taste of game speed.
The Bills committed 13 penalties in last year’s 27-15 preseason loss to the Steelers, with Allen under duress, oftentimes at his own doing. As a result, coach Sean McDermott brought the starters back for one crisp series against the Bears the following week in the preseason finale.
If the offense is able to execute a strong opening drive that results in a touchdown, it wouldn’t be surprising if Allen doesn’t come back out for a second series. Allen led a 12-play touchdown drive against the Bears last year and a six-play touchdown drive against the Broncos in 2022 that signaled the end for Allen’s day.
The talk throughout the week, from coaches to players, was regaining Buffalo’s standard under McDermott after a 33-6 loss to the Bears.
“It’s preseason, but our standard shouldn’t be conditioned by the result of what’s going on,” Allen said. “We have to continue to uphold what we do, and that’s playoff caliber. And that’s what coach McDermott has talked about in this building the last eight years that he’s been here. And we have to uphold that.”
Injuries could also factor into playing time. Receivers Lawrence Keys II and Curtis Samuel (second missed practice in a row due to general soreness), tight end Dawson Knox (ankle/groin), offensive tackle Travis Clayton (shoulder), defensive end Casey Toohill (groin), linebackers Nicholas Morrow (groin) and Baylon Spector (calf) and safeties Cole Bishop (shoulder) and Mike Edwards (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, while safeties Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp and linebacker Dorian Williams left early due to minor injuries.
Williams steps into the spotlight
Most of the eyes Saturday will be on Williams, who is the first man up to replace Matt Milano as he prepares for biceps surgery.
Williams started against the Bears in place of Milano and has consistently been the All-Pro’s backup since the spring. Last year Williams was Milano’s initial replacement when he suffered a leg injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but mistakes quickly sent him back to the bench.
The Bills need to be cautious with Williams if he’s dealing with an injury because they are starting to get thin at linebacker, even after replenishing the group during the offseason. Spector is out at least a week, while Morrow has missed the last eight practices and missed voluntary minicamp with a separate injury.
That being said, Williams may benefit from seeing game action at this point in his career. Williams is Buffalo’s most athletic linebacker and shows his talent when he can react quickly in order to chase down a ball carrier.
Williams needed time last year to learn the defensive playbook and seems to have a better grasp this year, but he was burned a few times against the Bears when he seemed uncertain while reading a play.
“Keep your eyes on your keys,” Williams said. “That’s something (Milano) always told me — how to simplify everything is to keep your eyes on your keys and everything is going to come right to you.”
Where to keep your eyes
Success isn’t as important to watch Saturday as playing time. Specifically, who is still on the field deep into the third quarter, which offers an indication on who may be sliding out of a roster spot when final cut-downs occur Aug. 27.
Veteran receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s performance throughout training camp has been scrutinized. He didn’t start getting consistent first-team snaps with the No. 1 offense until late in the St. John Fisher portion of training camp, but his playing and targets have started to increase more since then.
Valdes-Scantling played a team-high 30 snaps against the Bears, playing the entire first half, even after starters like Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir finished their days. He also dropped a pass in the game, something that has plagued him not only during training camp, but in his career, compiling a 6.8% drop rate.
If Valdes-Scantling continues to play into the second half, it could be an indication the Bills are considering younger players or players who also add value on special teams, like Tyrell Shavers and K.J. Hamler.
“I think (Valdes-Scantling’s) doing a lot of learning right now,” McDermott said. “So he may not be playing as fast as how we have normally seen him play over the years. That is one of his greatest strengths, is his vertical speed. I look forward to him continuing to get the playbook down so he plays like we know he’s capable of.”
There are exceptions to the rule, though, and one of them is the race for the fifth defensive end spot. Rookie Javon Solomon was the fourth defensive end into the game — Von Miller did not play — against the Bears, ahead of incumbent Kingsley Jonathan and Kameron Cline.
Cline had the most snaps of the trio (28), while Jonathan and Solomon played 21 apiece. If Solomon is against the first of the group to enter the game, it’s a good sign that he leads the pack for that spot.