The Chicago Bears will face the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 of the preseason on Saturday, which features plenty of storylines.
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will make his preseason debut against the Bills after not playing in the extra Hall of Fame game last week. Coach Matt Eberflus said Williams and healthy starters will have a "range of plays" against the Bills on Saturday, but he didn't detail a general play count. Eberflus previously said the aim is to get Williams 45-65 reps between these three preseason games.
With Williams making his debut, questions about the offensive line, Velus Jones Jr. getting a chance at running back and roster bubble players looking to make an impact, there's plenty to keep an eye on Saturday.
We'll be covering all of the action as it unfolds. Follow along here:
Caleb Williams' opening series
The Bears received the opening kickoff and started at the 30-yard line. Quarterback Caleb Williams completed 2-of-2 passes for 54 yards, including one play where he felt the pressure in the pocket and flipped the ball to running back D'Andre Swift for a 42-yard gain. Williams also had a 12-yard completion to receiver DJ Moore on third-and-12 to keep the chains moving early on in the drive. Unfortunately, the drive stalled in the red zone where there were three straight runs to Khalil Herbert, where he was stopped on third down. Cairo Santos booted a 30-yard field goal for an early lead.
Bears 3, Bills 0
Bears defense gets a three-and-out
Chicago's defense forced a three-and-out on Buffalo's offense, who gained just six yards on their first possession. That included a big stop by defensive ends DeMarcus Walker and Dominique Robinson on third-and-2 for a loss of 2. The Bills were forced to punt.
Bears 3, Bills 0
Caleb Williams impresses on second series
For the second consecutive drive, the Bears offense was able to move the ball deep into Buffalo territory. Williams was 2-for-5 on the drive, but that included a couple of drops from tight end Cole Kmet and receiver DJ Moore. Williams once again showed why he was the No. 1 pick in the draft as he extended the play and threw a dart to Kmet for a 26-yard gain. But Chicago once again stalled in the red zone, which included a 1-yard gain by Khalil Herbert and a couple of incompletions from Williams. The Bears again settled for a Cairo Santos field goal, this one from 31 yards.
Bears 6, Bills 0
Bills finally get on the board, thanks to Mitchell Trubisky
Former Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky took over for starter Josh Allen in the second quarter, where he led Buffalo to their first points of the game. Trubisky completed 5-of-8 passes for 44 yards. Chicago's defense, down some starters, had trouble getting off the field on third or fourth down, which allowed the Bills to threaten in the red zone. But the defense came up big with a stop on third-and-goal from the 5-yard line.
Bears 6, Bills 3
Halftime: Bears 6, Bills 3
It was all field goals in the first half of Saturday's preseason game.
Velus Jones scores first touchdown of the game
On Chicago's first offensive series of the second half, quarterback Tyson Bagent led the Bears on an eight-play, 59-yard drive for the team's first touchdown of the game. On the drive, Bagent completed 2-of-2 passes for 35 yards while Velus Jones Jr., getting a look at running back, had four carries for 16 yards and a score.
Bears 13, Bills 3
Bills add another field goal
The Bills scored for the second time in the game on a nine-play, 36-yard drive.Defensive end Daniel Hardy sacked quarterback Shane Buechele for a six-yard loss on third-and-15, which forced Buffalo to settle for another field goal.
Bears 13, Bills 6
Micah Baskerville scores on a pick-6
Linebacker Micah Baskerville made a strong statement early in the fourth quarter with an interception return of Bills quarterback Shane Buechele at Chicago's 47-yard line, returning it for a 53-yard score. Unfortunately, Cairo Santos missed the extra point.
Bears 19, Bills 6
Ian Wheeler gets the Bears back on the board
Quarterback Austin Reed led a three-play, 37-yard scoring drive, which included a 34-yard completion to receiver Dante Pettis to set the Bears up with first-and-goal from Buffalo's 7-yard line. One play later, Wheeler ran it in for a seven-yard score.
Bears 26, Bills 6
Ian Wheeler scores his second touchdown
After the Bears stopped the Bills on fourth down, they got the ball on Buffalo's 35-yard line, where undrafted rookie running back Ian Wheeler carried the load all 35 yards on three carries, including an eight-yard touchdown run to extend Chicago's lead.
Bears 33, Bills 6
FINAL: BEARS 33, BILLS 6
What time is Bears vs. Bills game?
- Date:Saturday, Aug. 10
- Time:12 p.m. CT
- Where:Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, N.Y.)
What channel is the Bears vs. Bills game?
- TV channel:NFL Network, FOX32
- Streaming live:Fubo TV (Watch FREE)
- Radio:ESPN 1000
Watch the Bears vs. Bills game FREE on Fubo
Who is announcing the Bears vs. Bills game?
- Play-by-play:Adam Amin
- Analyst:Jim Miller
- Sideline reporter:Lou Canellis
Bears vs. Bills preview
There are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on, including William' rookie debut, the status of the offensive line, Velus Jones Jr. getting a look at running back and roster bubble players who could make an impact. We also examined some players to watch on Saturday, including some prominent rookies and starters.
Bears vs. Bills betting odds
Game lines and odds fromBetMGMas of Sunday:
- Spread:Bears (+2.5)
- Over/under:38.5
- Moneyline:Bears (+125), Bills (-150)
Bears vs. Bills injury report
The Bears are missing a handful of starters who are battling injuries in training camp. As of Thursday's practice, Chicago remains without most of their starting secondary with cornerbacks Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson, as well as safety Jaquan Brisker, sidelined. Also not practicing Thursday: defensive end Montez Sweat, right guard Nate Davis, running back Roschon Johnson, wide receiver Collin Johnson, linebacker Noah Sewell and defensive tackle Byron Cowart. Right guard Ryan Bates exited practice on Thursday, and his status is unknown.
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Bears 2024 preseason schedule
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Game: Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans (Aug. 1, 7 p.m. CT)
- Week 1: Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills (Aug. 10, 12 p.m. CT)
- Week 2: Chicago Bears vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Aug. 17, 12 p.m. CT)
- Week 3: Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs (Aug. 22, 7:20 p.m. CT)
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