Josh Allen picked up where he left off in his breakout 2020 campaign. Playing in his only preseason game for the Bills, Allen was fantastic in just under a half of action -- going 20 of 26 for 194 yards and two touchdowns for a 122.9 passer rating. The Bills defeated the Packers 19-0 thanks to the performance of Allen, as the MVP candidate looked to be in midseason form.
Allen had the throw of the day, a 31-yard missile to Gabriel Davis, that gave Buffalo the early 7-0 lead. His second touchdown pass of the day was a 3-yard toss to Zack Moss which capped a 15-play, 80-yard drive that put Buffalo up two touchdowns. Allen completed passes to eight different receivers -- with Davis finishing the first half at five catches for 75 yards and a score.
Jordan Love returned to start the final game of the preseason after missing the previous week with a shoulder strain. Love played the entire first half and had his moments, but made a poor decision early in the second quarter that resulted in an interception. Love stumbled while rolling out of the pocket and was able to regain his footing, but decided to throw the ball in a desperation attempt in the end zone while Bills safety Micah Hyde came down with the interception. Love went 10 of 16 for 132 yards and an interception in the first half as the Packers failed to score on all three possessions, even though they were inside the red zone twice. Mason Crosby missed a 28-yard field goal with 28 seconds left in the first half that would have put Green Bay on the board.
Love played until the third quarter, finishing 12 of 18 for 149 yards with an interception (69.0 rating). Kurt Benkert relieved Love in the third quarter and finished the rest of the game. Love did develop some chemistry with Reggie Begelton, who recorded four catches for 51 yards.
The Bills played most of their starters -- with the exception of Stefon Diggs. Green Bay played the contest with most second and third stringers as the Packers wrapped up their preseason slate.
Josh Allen taking the field was enough for Buffalo to claim the preseason finale. The Bills challenged the Packers secondary early to get Allen some throws, not executing a running play until the second play of the second quarter.
Allen did enough in the first quarter to set the tone for Buffalo, going 12 of 14 for 123 yards and a touchdown for a 127.1 rating. The Bills scored touchdowns on two of three Allen possessions and totaled 214 yards.
The Bills flexed their muscle as one of the best teams in the AFC. Allen looked in midseason form as well.
Green Bay wanted to get Jordan Love reps this preseason —and it was a learning experience for the young quarterback. Facing off against the Bills' first-team defense, Love had some nice throws in the first half and a questionable pass that led to a turnover.
Green Bay also went for it twice on fourth down — and failed on both attempts. Love should have had at least two possessions that led to points, but the Packers passed on a 19-yard field goal to go for it at the 1-yard line in the first quarter and Mason Crosby missed a chip shot field goal in the final minute of the first half.
The Packers averaged 5.8 yards per play in the first half with Love and second team players, but scored zero points. Miscues and failed conversion attempts were costly.
Josh Allen was accurate throwing the ball, but his best play arguably came with his legs. The Bills decided to go for it on fourth down — through the influence of Allen — with 6:23 left to play in the second quarter.
Allen was off the mark on two throws and wanted to keep the drive going on a fourth-and-2 at the Packers' 40. The Bills quarterback rolled to his right and ran for the first down. Six plays later, Allen found Zack Moss for a 3-yard touchdown to put Buffalo up 13-0 with 2:24 to go in the second quarter.
Allen never showed any signs of preseason rust, especially on this 31-yard strike to Gabriel Davis on the Bills' first possession of the game.
Allen fired a laser to Davis in the middle of the end zone to give Buffalo a 7-0 lead, connecting on a third-and-20.
The Bills attempted to throw on each play of their initial possession. Allen went 10 of 11 for 90 yards and a touchdown in capping the 12-play, 80-yard drive.
Green Bay and Buffalo each ended their preseason slate. The Packers travel to New Orleans to face the Saints on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 4:25 p.m. ET to kick off their season. The Bills open their season on Sunday, Sept. 12 at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers (1 p.m. ET kickoff).
That will do it for this one. The Bills flexed their muscle as one of the best teams in the AFC while the Packers rolled out their second teamers. We'll see Green Bay in Week 1 at New Orleans -- and Aaron Rodgers -- and Buffalo gets Pittsburgh. Thanks for following along today. Exciting first half, noit much to write home about in the second half.
The Bills are just trying to get the preseason over at this point. They saw what they needed to see with their first team offense.
Jordan Love starts the second half for GB. Matt LaFleur said he would play into the second half earlier this week.
Josh Allen
20-of-26, 194 yards, 2 TD, 122.9 rating
Led the Bills on a 15 play, 80 yard drive that was extended because of his fourth down run.
He's pretty good friends.
Josh Allen missed two open receivers on that drive. Him and Cole Beasley weren't on the same page on a throw that would have resulted in six.
Then he misses Emmanuel Sanders that would have been a first down. Allen gets the fourth down run anyway.
Still a weapon even when is throws are off.
That's a bad throw by Jordan Love.
No need to force it under pressure. I guess he was trying to throw it out of the end zone but that had zero chance of going out.
Micah Hyde gets an easy turnover.
I'm a fan of the Packers going for it on every fourth down around midfield. There's nothing to lose in the preseason and you can give your offense an extra look on how they fare in a "need" situation.
It's the preseason after all.
Coming into this game, Gregory Rousseau had six pressures in 28 snaps this preseason.
He may be just what the doctor prescribed for the Bills pass rush.
The Bills finally ran the ball. On the second play of the second quarter, Zack Moss had a carry. He gets the first touch over Devin Singletary.
Gabe Davis also had four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter. Kid has tremendous talent. He may end up being the WR2 by the end of the year.
Josh Allen in the 1st quarter
12-of-14, 123 yards, TD, 127.1 rating
Picking up where he left off last year
A.J. Klein with a great stop on A.J. Dillon on 3rd-and-goal. Knew his gap and executed where Dillon was going to be. Then Tre'Davious White gets the pass breakup on fourth down.
Bills Mafia crowd in midseason form too.
I really like Kylin Hill as a RB2 on the Packers. Whether he gets carries and snaps over A.J. Dillon is up for debate.
Gabriel Davis had three catches for 51 yards and a touchdown on that opening drive. Crazy to think he's arguably the fourth option for the Bills.
Josh Allen went 10-for-11 for 90 yards and a TD on his first drive of the preseason.
Bills fans chanting MVP after that ridiculous throw for Gabe Davis for the 31-yard TD.
He's ready for Week 1.
No Stefon Diggs today -- the only starter that isn't playing for Buffalo.
The Emmanuel Sanders addition is really going to elevate this Bills offense.
Allen already 3-for-3 for 20 yards. He's looking crisp in his throws.
May not be in long if he keeps this up.
Expect to see Jordan Love play into the second half in this one. Josh Allen -- I wonder how long he plays. My guess is at least two series.
