Bills’ Statement Win: 4 Massive Takeaways vs Browns
Buffalo Bills Dominate Browns 31-7: 4 Big Takeaways from Preseason Game #2
Imagine the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns are like two teams playing a friendly scrimmage before the real season starts. The Bills won big—31 to 7—and here’s what really matters from that game, explained simply.
Quick Summary: What Happened?
The Bills beat the Browns 31-7 in their second preseason game. After a tied 7-7 first quarter (with a lightning delay!), Buffalo took over completely. This wasn’t just about the score—it showed exciting things about the team’s future.
4 Major Takeaways from the Game
1. The "Next Wave" of Young Talent Is Arriving
Think of the Bills like a garden. General Manager Brandon Beane has been great at planting "seeds"—players who start raw but grow into stars. Josh Allen is the biggest example. Others like Ed Oliver, Dawson Knox, Spencer Brown, Greg Rousseau, James Cook, and Cole Bishop all blossomed in Buffalo.
Now, the next crop is sprouting:
| Player | Position | Why He’s Exciting |
|---|---|---|
| Landon Jackson | Defensive End | 6’6", 264 lbs, ran 4.68 40-yard dash, 40.5" vertical! A "scary specimen" for offensive lines. |
| T.J. Sanders | Defensive Tackle | Called the "ultimate X-factor" on defense. More motivated and explosive than last year. |
| Jordan Hancock | Cornerback | 4.46 speed, 41.5" vertical. A "magnet to the football." |
| Tylan Grable | Offensive Tackle | New swing tackle (backup for both left and right side). |
| Jalon Kilgore | Safety | Part of the youth movement on defense. |
| Keleki Latu | Tight End | 6’6"+, 250+ lbs. Great blocker AND tantalizing as a receiver. |
| Ar’maj Reed-Adams | Offensive Line | Rookie making noise. |
Important Point: After a fantastic 2022 draft class (Cook, Bernard, Shakir, Benford), recent drafts seemed "spotty." But these new upside-based projects arriving now will change perceptions in 2026.
2. Suddenly Loaded at Running Back & Tight End
Yes, they played against backups. But the Bills’ backups beat the Browns’ backups—and looked REALLY good doing it.
Running Back Depth: Problem Solved
The author went into camp worried about RB depth. That worry is gone.
| Player | Stats (Preseason) | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Phillip Wheeler | 5 missed tackles forced on 21 carries (23.8% rate) 2 runs of 10+ yards 3.24 yards after contact per rush |
Anything above 20% missed-tackle rate is elite. He’s ready for regular-season work if needed. |
| Frank Gore Jr. | 6 missed tackles forced on 16 carries (37.5% rate!) 3 runs of 10+ yards |
Insane efficiency. Son of NFL legend Frank Gore. |
Bottom Line: If called up from the 53-man roster or practice squad, both are ready to contribute immediately.
Tight End Room: Deeper Than We Thought
We knew Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, and Jackson Hawes were good. But two more guys stepped up:
- Shane Zylstra: 3 catches, 29 yards (13 after catch), 2 first downs. Ferocious blocker in run AND pass game (2 weeks in a row).
- Keleki Latu: Blocked his "behind off" vs. Panthers. Formidable pass protector vs. Browns. At 6’6"+/250+ lbs, he’s a matchup nightmare as a receiver.
3. 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 (55%!)
Formations & Plays We’ve Seen:
- Under-center snaps (not just shotgun)
- Jet sweeps (wide receiver runs across formation)
- "Jumbo" packages (extra big linemen/TEs)
- Gap-scheme runs (linemen pull sideways)
- Outside zone runs
- Tunnel screens
- Pitch plays
- Outside screens
- Deep overs (crossing routes)
- Shot plays down the sideline
- More middle-of-field throws at intermediate levels
Author’s Guess: With minimal game-planning and just a sliver of the playbook shown, the Bills will "throw the kitchen sink" at defenses this season.
4. Run Defense Looks Sharper & More Urgent
The Numbers:
- 3.1 yards per carry allowed in BOTH preseason games.
But the Eye Test Matters More:
- All 11 defenders look "more buttoned up and faster to the football."
- New Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard emphasizes tackling reliability.
- 2024 Regular Season: 8.8 missed tackles per game average.
- Preseason Game 1 (vs Panthers): 7 missed tackles.
- Preseason Game 2 (vs Browns): Only 4 missed tackles.
What’s Different?
- Fewer "out-of-control" tackle attempts.
- More defenders getting squared up (proper form) on ball carriers.
- Defensive front playing more "read-and-react" (diagnose play, then attack) instead of just attacking gaps.
- Result: Running backs can’t find creases/holes to run through.
Reality Check: Many players in this game won’t make the final roster. But the collective habits and scheme are encouraging.
Key Terms Explained (ELI5 Glossary)
| Term | Simple Definition |
|---|---|
| Preseason | Practice games before the real season. Stats don’t count for records. |
| 53-man roster | The official team. Only these 53 can play in regular-season games. |
| Practice squad | Extra players who practice with the team but don’t play Sundays (unless "elevated"). |
| Play-action | QB fakes a handoff to RB, then throws. Freezes defenders for a second. |
| Dropback | QB stepping back to pass after the snap. |
| Missed tackle forced | RB makes a defender miss—shows elusiveness/strength. |
| Yards after contact | Yards gained AFTER first defender hits you. Shows toughness. |
| Read-and-react | Defenders watch the play develop, then respond—instead of guessing. |
| Swing tackle | Backup who can play BOTH left and right tackle. Very valuable. |
| X-factor | A player who could be the difference-maker if they reach potential. |
Summary: Why This Game Mattered
- Young talent pipeline is flowing → Jackson, Sanders, Hancock, Latu, Grable, and more look ready to develop into contributors.
- RB & TE depth is a STRENGTH now → Wheeler & Gore Jr. are legit; Zylstra & Latu make TE room scary deep.
- Offense is unpredictable → Heavy play-action, diverse formations, under-center usage = defenses can’t key on one thing.
- Run defense culture is changing → Better tackling, smarter scheme, more urgency—Leonhard’s fingerprints are visible.
Bottom Line: This wasn’t just a preseason blowout. It was a glimpse of a deeper, more versatile, and better-coached team taking shape.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Do preseason games actually matter?
A: The scores don’t count, but player evaluation does. Coaches watch film to decide who makes the team, who starts, and what schemes work. Good performances here = real roles in September.
Q: Who is Jim Leonhard and why does he matter?
A: He’s the new Defensive Coordinator (hired 2024). He played 10 years in the NFL as a safety. His emphasis on sure tackling and smart run fits is already showing up on film.
Q: What’s a "4i-5tech" role? (Mentioned for Landon Jackson)
A: Defensive line alignments. 4i = inside shade of the tackle. 5tech = outside shoulder of the tackle. It means Jackson plays on the edge of the line, setting the edge against runs and rushing the passer. A perfect spot for his size/speed.
Q: Should I be worried Josh Allen barely played?
A: No. Starters rarely play much in preseason Game 2. The fact he ran 55% play-action on his few snaps suggests that’s a major part of the 2025 game plan.
Q: Can Frank Gore Jr. actually make the team?
A: Yes. His 37.5% missed-tackle-forced rate is off the charts. If he shows he can pass-protect and catch, he’ll be very hard to cut. Plus, the "Gore" name carries work-ethic credibility.
Enjoy the rest of preseason! The real fun starts when the games count.