By Kyle Silagyi / Billswire.usatoday.com
An unexpected fourth-quarter comeback left fans of the Buffalo Bills with a nice taste in their mouths, almost making them forget just how uneventful the team’s Week 4 preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings was.
Though the 27-23 contest was a bore, it was Buffalo that came out of the game with the victory, capping off its first undefeated preseason in franchise history.
Though the 4-0 preseason record will ultimately mean nothing, the preseason finale did help a few players on the roster bubble strengthen their argument for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Here are five takeaways from the Bills’ preseason win over the Vikings.
Eddie Yarbrough’s not going down easy
Eddie Yarbrough entered Thursday’s preseason finale firmly entrenched on the roster bubble.
If the third-year defensive end is not on the Bills’ 53-man roster after Saturday’s 4:00 p.m. cut down deadline, he certainly did not go down without a fight.
Yarbrough was perhaps Buffalo’s flashiest defender in the win, tallying 10 tackles. He consistently broke through blockers, meeting Minnesota ballcarriers in the backfield on seemingly every rush. He broke through a double team in the second quarter to tackle Mike Boone eight yards behind the line of scrimmage, just one of a number of impressive reps the 26-year-old constructed Thursday night.
Rookie Darryl Johnson did not play in Thursday’s contest, suggesting that he, along with Jerry Hughes, Trent Murphy, and Shaq Lawson, will still be on the Bills’ roster come Saturday evening. Given its need for depth at other positions, Buffalo may elect against keeping five defensive ends on its roster.
Perhaps Yarbrough’s disruptive performance in the preseason finale convinced the team’s front office that he is worthy of a roster spot.
Ray-Ray McCloud, Duke Williams go down fighting
A heated roster battle came to an end Thursday night.
Isaiah McKenzie, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Duke Williams have been fighting for a spot in the Bills’ receiving corps throughout the entire summer. All have shown promise throughout the entire preseason, with all three wideouts offering a unique skillset to Buffalo’s offense.
Both McCloud and Williams saw considerable playing time in the preseason finale, with McCloud leading the team in receptions with five. He impressed on a screen pass in the fourth quarter, catching the ball at the line of scrimmage before breaking off a 30-yard run.
Williams was impressive, as well, showcasing the physicality that has gotten him this far. The 26-year-old fought for two receptions for a total of 18 yards.
Both McCloud and Williams turned in solid performances in what could be their final games at New Era Field. They both helped their stock, undoubtedly giving Buffalo’s coaching staff something to think about as they construct their 53-man roster.
Perhaps most telling, however, was McKenzie’s lack of playing time. The shifty wideout did not play on offense, suggesting that his spot on the roster is all but secure.
Tyree Jackson is not an NFL quarterback as of yet
The Buffalo Bulls’ 2019 season kicked off Thursday night, with redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Myers leading the team to a dominant win over Robert Morris.
Just a few miles away at New Era Field, a former University at Buffalo quarterback was not as fortunate.
Though in a winning effort, Tyree Jackson struggled, completing 22 of 33 passes for 175 yards. Sure, the stat line isn’t putrid, and he even led a game-winning drive, but Jackson’s incompletions were perhaps more telling than his completed passes.
His deep balls were often overthrown and inaccurate. He failed to accurately place a few swing and screen passes. Though a few of his short-to-intermediate throws were on the money, they were few and far between, sprinkled in between the throws that were five yards off his target.
Simply put, Jackson did not look like an NFL quarterback. Given what he showed Thursday night, no NFL team would be comfortable fielding the 21-year-old in a regular-season game.
The undrafted free agent has not been looked at as a realistic candidate for Buffalo’s 53-man roster for quite some time. At this point, placing him on the practice squad may even be a questionable decision.
Though he failed to show considerable promise in the preseason, Jackson is still an intriguing prospect. His combination of size, arm strength, and athleticism is unique. If the Bills feel they can build upon his potential, they may stash him on the practice squad despite his struggles.
Jaquan Johnson flashes
Just one week after forcing and recovering a fumble, Jaquan Johnson came to play yet again in the Bills’ preseason finale.
The rookie safety played throughout the majority of the contest, consistently getting involved and coming up near the ball. He ultimately led the team in tackles, tallying 12.
Though Johnson was not necessarily on the roster bubble entering Thursday night, he all but cemented a roster spot with his Week 4 performance. He’s a sure tackler, and at 23 years of age, he certainly has some upside. He may not see considerable time on defense in his rookie season, but Johnson will likely be a trusted contributor on special teams in the immediate future.
Stephen Hauschka has his swagger back
Just one day after inking a two-year, $8 million extension with the Bills, kicker Stephen Hauschka showed why the Buffalo faithful affectionally refer to him as “Hausch-money.”
Hauschka connected on a 54-yard field goal in the first quarter, his first make of at least 50 yards since Week 10 of the 2018 season.
It was a reassuring sign for the Bills kicker. The 34-year-old had missed two field-goal attempts in the first three weeks of the preseason, this after missing five out of his final 11 attempts in the 2018 season.
However, this string of less-than-stellar play appears to be the exception and not the norm for Hauschka. His salary would suggest that he is one of the better kickers in the league, and he proved this sentiment with an impressive make on Thursday night.