4 Stunning Takeaways: Bills Dominate Browns in Preseason Game 2
Buffalo Bills Crush Browns 31-7: What We Learned From Preseason Game #2
The Buffalo Bills put on a show against the Cleveland Browns, winning 31-7 for their second straight dominant preseason victory. After a slow start tied 7-7 in the first quarter (thanks to a lightning delay), the Bills took over and never looked back.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the game — explained simply so everyone can understand!
New Young Players Are Stepping Up Big Time
The Bills have a superpower: they take raw, talented rookies and turn them into stars. Think Josh Allen, Ed Oliver, Dawson Knox, Spencer Brown, Greg Rousseau, James Cook, and Cole Bishop. All were "projects" when drafted — now they’re key players.
The next wave is here:
- Landon Jackson (2025 draft pick) — A massive 6’6", 264-lb defensive lineman who ran a 4.68-second 40-yard dash and jumped 40.5 inches at the Combine. He’s strong, explosive, and ready to wreck offensive lines.
- T.J. Sanders — Called the "ultimate X-factor" on defense. He looks faster, stronger, and more motivated than last year.
- Jordan Hancock — Super athletic (4.46 speed, 41.5-inch vertical). He’s a "magnet to the football" — meaning he finds the ball and makes plays.
- Don’t sleep on these guys either: Tylan Grable (swing tackle), Jalon Kilgore, Keleki Latu, and rookie Ar’maj Reed-Adams.
Important Point: After a legendary 2022 draft class (Cook, Bernard, Shakir, Benford), the Bills’ recent draft hits were spotty. But this new crop of high-upside projects could change that narrative in 2026.
Running Back & Tight End Rooms Are STACKED
Even against Browns backups, the Bills’ backup running backs dominated. And here’s the thing — they were playing behind the Bills’ backup offensive line too. So this is legit.
Running Backs: Wheeler & Gore Jr. Are Ready
| Player | Carries | Missed Tackles Forced | MTF Rate | 10+ Yard Runs | Yards After Contact/Rush |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillip Wheeler | 21 | 5 | 23.8% | 2 | 3.24 |
| Frank Gore Jr. | 16 | 6 | 37.5% | 3 | — |
What’s "MTF Rate"? Missed Tackle Forced Rate — how often a runner makes a defender miss. Above 20% is elite. Both guys crush it.
Bottom line: If either gets called up (from the 53-man roster or practice squad), they’re ready to contribute right now.
Tight Ends: Even Deeper Than We Thought
We knew Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, and Jackson Hawes were good. But now:
- Shane Zylstra — 3 catches, 29 yards (13 after catch), 2 first downs. Ferocious blocker in run & pass game (2 weeks straight!).
- Keleki Latu — 6’6", 250+ lbs. Blocked his tail off vs. Panthers. Great pass protector vs. Browns. Huge upside as a receiver too.
The Offense Has Way More Variety Now
Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady isn’t showing his full playbook — it’s preseason! But what we’ve seen is impressive diversity:
Play-Action Usage (Fake Handoff, Then Pass)
- Kyle Allen: 31% of dropbacks
- Shane Buechele: 52.4% of dropbacks
- Josh Allen: 5 of 9 dropbacks (that’s 55%!)
Formations & Plays We’ve Seen:
- Under-center snaps (not just shotgun)
- Jet sweeps
- Jumbo packages (extra big guys)
- Gap-scheme runs
- Outside zone runs
- Tunnel screens
- Pitch plays
- Outside screens
- Deep overs
- Sideline "shot plays"
- More middle-of-field throws at intermediate depths
Important Point: If this is just a sliver of the offense with zero game-planning… opposing defenses are in big trouble this season. The Bills might "throw the kitchen sink" at everyone.
Run Defense Looks Sharper & More Urgent
The numbers don’t lie — and the film backs it up.
Preseason Run Defense Stats:
| Game | Yards Per Carry Allowed |
|---|---|
| vs. Panthers | 3.1 |
| vs. Browns | 3.1 |
What’s Different?
- All 11 defenders fly to the ball faster.
- Fewer missed tackles: 7 vs. Panthers, only 4 vs. Browns.
- Context: In 2024 regular season, Bills averaged 8.8 missed tackles per game.
- Defenders are staying under control, squaring up ball-carriers, wrapping up.
- Defensive line plays more "read-and-react" — they diagnose the play, then attack. Harder for RBs to find holes.
Important Point: New Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard emphasizes tackling reliability. It’s showing. We’ll track if this holds up in the regular season!
Summary: 5 Big Things to Remember
- Next-gen talent is arriving — Jackson, Sanders, Hancock, Latu, and more look like future stars.
- RB depth is no longer a worry — Wheeler & Gore Jr. are legit NFL-ready backups.
- TE room is absurdly deep — Zylstra & Latu push for roster spots behind the starters.
- Offense is unpredictable — Heavy play-action, diverse formations, under-center looks = nightmare for DCs.
- Run defense is fundamentally sound — Better tackling, faster pursuit, smarter front-seven play.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Does preseason performance actually matter?
Yes and no. The score doesn’t count, but player evaluation does. Coaches watch film to decide who makes the team. Dominating backups with backups = strong roster depth.
2. Who is Jim Leonhard and why does he matter?
He’s the new Defensive Coordinator (hired 2025). He played 10 years in the NFL as a safety. His philosophy: tackling fundamentals + smart, aggressive play. Early results are promising.
3. What’s "play-action" and why is it a big deal?
Play-action = QB fakes a handoff to RB, then throws. It freezes linebackers and safeties, opening passing lanes. Using it 30–55% of the time keeps defenses guessing and helps the run game too.
4. Are Landon Jackson and T.J. Sanders rookies?
Yes! Jackson was a 2025 draft pick (feels like a 2026 pick — he’s that raw but talented). Sanders was drafted in 2024 but redshirted/developed. Both are "developmental pieces" now flashing.
5. Could Phillip Wheeler or Frank Gore Jr. make the 53-man roster?
Absolutely. If they keep this up, they’ll either make the active roster or be first-call practice squad elevations — meaning they play on game days when needed.
Final Thought: This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. The Bills are deeper, more creative, and better coached than a year ago. Regular season can’t come fast enough!