Preseason football is a weird beast. Honestly, you've got people screaming about the score like it’s the Super Bowl while others are basically ignoring the screen to check their fantasy draft sleepers. When the Bills vs Bears preseason game kicked off at Highmark Stadium on August 10, 2024, the vibe was electric for one reason: Caleb Williams.
The Chicago Bears walked out with a 33-6 win. Does that mean the Buffalo Bills were in trouble? Not necessarily. Preseason scores are mostly a lie, but the individual performances tell the real story. Chicago's rookie quarterback looked like the real deal, while Buffalo was mostly trying to make sure nobody ended up on the Injured Reserve list before September.
Why the Bills vs Bears Preseason Score is Deceptive
If you just look at that 33-6 final, you’d think the Bills got absolutely smoked. They kind of did, but context matters. Sean McDermott didn't play a huge chunk of his starters. We saw Mitchell Trubisky—the former Bear himself—taking most of the snaps for Buffalo. He went 10-of-18 for 82 yards. It wasn't flashy. It was barely even efficient.
Chicago, on the other hand, gave the world a glimpse of the #1 overall pick. Caleb Williams played two series. That was it. But in those two series, he moved the ball with a level of "wow" that Chicago fans haven't seen in, well, ever. He finished 4-of-7 for 95 yards.
The Caleb Williams Factor
The play everyone is still talking about from that afternoon? The screen pass to D'Andre Swift. It wasn't just the 42-yard gain that mattered. It was the way Williams flicked the ball under pressure. It looked effortless.
- Completion Percentage: 57% (4/7)
- Passing Yards: 95
- Passer Rating: 101.8
- Rushing: 1 carry for 13 yards
He stayed cool. He didn't look like a rookie who was seeing ghosts in the pocket. Even his incompletions were the "right" kind of misses. Matt Eberflus mentioned after the game that they wanted to see him handle the "fruits of his labor," and he definitely did.
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Buffalo’s Roster Battles and Silver Linings
While the Bears were busy celebrating their new franchise savior, the Bills were doing the dirty work of evaluating the bottom of the roster. Khalil Shakir looked reliable, hauling in three catches for 28 yards. He’s basically the glue of that receiving corps now that Stefon Diggs is in Houston.
Keon Coleman, the rookie everyone in Buffalo is obsessed with, got his first NFL catch. It was a simple first-down grab, but for a kid with that much hype, it was a necessary box to check.
The Defensive Struggles
The Bills defense allowed 340 total yards. That's a lot. But again, you're looking at guys like Kendall Williamson and Kingsley Jonathan getting heavy reps. The standout for the wrong reasons was Shane Buechele throwing a pick-six to Micah Baskerville. That 53-yard return by Baskerville basically slammed the door on any hopes of a Buffalo comeback.
Baskerville hadn't scored a touchdown in 700 days—not since his LSU days. Sometimes the preseason gives you those cool full-circle moments.
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Key Takeaways from the Matchup
- Austin Booker is a Problem: The Bears' rookie pass rusher had 2.5 sacks. He was living in the Buffalo backfield. If he carries that into the regular season, the Bears' defensive line just got a massive upgrade.
- Tyler Bass is Dialed In: In a game where the Bills couldn't find the end zone, Tyler Bass was perfect. He hit from 24 and 49 yards. Given his late-season struggles in 2023, seeing him split the uprights was a relief for Bills Mafia.
- The Return of Velus Jones Jr.: The Bears tried Velus at running back. It worked? Sorta. He had a 4-yard touchdown run and finished with 34 yards on 6 carries. It's a weird transition, but his speed is undeniable.
The Bills are now 9-5 in preseason games against NFC teams under McDermott. They usually win these. Losing by 27 points is a rarity, but the coaching staff seemed more concerned with the "how" rather than the "how many."
What Really Matters for Your Fantasy Team
If you’re scouting this game for fantasy purposes, don't sleep on Ian Wheeler. The Bears RB found the end zone twice in the fourth quarter. He showed a burst that caught a lot of people off guard.
For the Bills, Frank Gore Jr. had a tough afternoon. The pass intended for him turned into that Micah Baskerville interception. He’s got the name, but he’s still fighting for a roster spot in a crowded backfield.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Waiver Wire: Keep an eye on Austin Booker. If your league counts individual defensive players (IDP), he’s a name to track.
- Temper Expectations: Don't draft Caleb Williams in the 5th round just because he had a good preseason game. He’s still a rookie. There will be bad days.
- Buffalo's Depth: If you're a Bills fan, don't panic about the 6 points. Josh Allen didn't play much, and the offense is built entirely around his gravity.
The real season starts in September. Until then, we analyze the crumbs. This game provided plenty of crumbs—some delicious for Chicago, some a bit stale for Buffalo. But that's the beauty of the NFL. One week you're "sick and humiliated" (shoutout to Marv Levy), and the next, you're 1-0 and the preseason doesn't matter anymore.
Next Steps for Following the Season:
Focus on the Week 2 preseason tape for the Bills' offensive line. They struggled with stunts and blitz pickups against Chicago's second unit. For the Bears, watch Caleb Williams' footwork in the pocket when his first read is covered; his ability to scramble and reset was the hidden gem of his debut performance.