Buffalo Rumblinks, 8/24: Observations from Bills vs. Buccaneers

The Buffalo Bills earned their first win of the 2025 NFL preseason Saturday night, holding off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a score of 23-19 to conclude the preseason with a 1-2 record.

The Bills rested nearly all of their presumptive starters, with the exception of safety Cole Bishop, who bounced back from a lackluster effort in Week 2 of the preseason with a confidence-inducing performance in Tampa.

With roster cuts coming by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. EDT deadline, today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads

off with observations and analysis from Buffalo’s first win of the preseason, which was fueled by a career outing from fourth-string quarterback Shane Buechele.

WR Tyrell Shavers among standouts from win over Tampa Bay

Among the standouts and observations from the win over Tampa Bay: WR Tyrell Shavers continued his outstanding preseason, making a terrific, one-handed touchdown grab on a fade pattern pass from Shane Buechele in the second quarter. The play demonstrated Shavers’ outstanding body control and hand-eye coordination, and was his second highlight reel play of the preseason. Shavers sure is putting the pressure on general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

Who else stood out?

Rookie defensive tackle Deone Walker was absolutely unstoppable, recording three pass pressures on 21 pass rush snaps to go with four total tackles (one for a loss), half a sack, and a QB pressure to continue his strong summer;
Second-year safety Cole Bishop rebounded from a poor performance vs. the Chicago Bears and finished with two tackles, a pass breakup and demonstrated his physicality at the line of scrimmage;
Buechele, Buffalo’s fourth-string quarterback, put on a show in his first full NFL game, completing 25 of 30 passes for 278 yards and a touchdown and adding 20 rushing yards on five carries;
Backup tight end candidate Zach Davidson caught two passes for 27 yards, but his real value came filling in for Brad Robbins (illness) at punter, as Davidson boomed a 62-yard punt and another punt that pinned Tampa Bay inside the 20-yard line;
Kicker Tyler Bass Bass converted three field goals and two extra points in his first action of the preseason; and
Unheralded linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo was in on five tackles while recovering a fumble.

Who had less than encouraging games? Buffalo’s kick coverage unit allowed Tampa Bay to average 38 yards per kickoff return; backup cornerback candidate Daequan Hardy was repeatedly burned in slot coverage; and the Bills once again were less-than-stellar on both third-down offense (3-for-9) and defense (8-for-13).

Even more Bills news

Hear what impressed head coach Sean McDermott from the win and why coaching these Bills is a “real joy;” an update on the injury suffered by cornerback Tre’Davious White; exploring whether the Bills should consider bringing back cornerback Rasul Douglas and wide receiver Amari Cooper as reinforcements; and learn why both McDermott and Pro Bowl left tackle Dion Dawkins have high praise for second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman.