Top 3 Things We Learned

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Top 3 things we learned from Bills vs. Giants | 2025 Preseason Week 1

Aug 09, 2025 at 06:43 PM

Alec White

Content Manager

The Buffalo Bills opened their preseason schedule with a 34-25 loss to the Giants at Highmark Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Despite the loss, the Bills racked up nearly 400 yards of offense.

Here are the top three things we learned from Bills-Giants.

1 — All 3 QBs efficient in moving the football

The Bills rested QB Josh Allen for the preseason opener, opting to start Mitchell Trubisky for the first half, then turning to Mike White and Shane Buechele in the second half.

Combined, the three QBs finished the day 27-38 passing for 341 yards. Trubisky recorded one touchdown pass while White threw for two scores in the second half.

"Both of those guys did some good things," head coach Sean McDermott said. "They moved the team down the field at times."

Trubisky found his stride on the Bills third drive, leading a six-play, 68-yard drive in the second quarter. The QB found TE Dawson Knox for a wide-open touchdown for the team's first points of the game.

"It was great to get some reps with the ones, build some chemistry with them. I just thought our communication in the huddle was solid. Just wanted to start a little faster and be better on third down," Trubisky said.

Trubisky closed the first half strong with his best throw of the day. With 15 seconds remaining in the half, Trubisky uncorked a spiraling ball to WR Tyrell Shavers who caught it in stride and was tackled inside the 10-yard line. The Bills immediately called a timeout to set up their field goal unit, a successful chip shot 24-yard from K Caden Davis who the Bills signed Friday.

White entered the game at the start of the third quarter. After a three and out to start, White then led scoring drives on back-to-back series. The veteran QB impressed the coaching staff by setting protection on a blitz on when the team went for it on fourth down in Giants territory. With the executed protections by the offensive line, White had time to launch a deep ball to WR KJ Hamler for a 39-yard TD.

"Sent to protection left, and knew my issue was coming from left, so roll right, eyes downfield. KJ did a great job of getting free and scoring. Honestly, he did all the hard work," White said.

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On the ensuing offensive series, White led another touchdown drive, finding Darrynton Evans for a 7-yard score, then connecting with WR Laviska Shenault on a two-point conversion to take a 25-24 lead.

"I think everybody settled down, had some fun, and we caught fire," White said. "We ended up moving the ball down the field, scoring two touchdowns, and getting a two-point. It was fun."

Buechele came in for the final handful of series in the fourth quarter. A botched snap over the QB's head took away from an otherwise solid showing from the veteran who went 10 of 12 passing for 91 yards.

2 — Have an emergency? Call Ray Davis

The Bills had a little fun in last week's Return of the Blue & Red practice, trotting out RB Ray Davis in for kicker duties with Tyler Bass injured. Turns out, a plan always has a purpose.

Despite having a capable place kicker on the sidelines in Caden Davis, the Bills opted to send in Ray Davis for the extra point following Knox's TD reception in the second quarter.

McDermott explained there's a method behind why.

"I just feel like, what if it happens in a game? We've been on the other side of it where a team has lost their kicker, I think it was in pregame warmups a few years back. So, you make a mental note of that and saying, hey, what if it happened to us?" he said.

The Bills head coach compared the scene that unfolded after Knox's score to a pit stop in racing; assistant coaches taking off Davis' right cleat and replacing it with a specialized kicking cleat followed by special teams coach Chris Tabor tying the shoe before Davis ran out and calmly drilled the extra point.

"I wanted to see what it would look like. It's different than doing it in practice," McDermott said. "We've always practiced it, but the transition, right?... but it was really good pit stop. And then the execution, so really cool to watch."

Davis added that he talked to McDermott about the possibility and they both decided it was worth trying in a game setting,

"Once Dawson scored, we were on the sideline trying to get my shoe on. I think it was halfway on when I kicked that in," Davis laughed.

As successful (and entertaining) as the attempt was, it will stay a one-time experience.

"Now we're a little bit tested at least. I don't plan on doing it again this preseason. I think once is enough," McDermott said.

3 — Bills flash teeth on run defense, still need a bite getting third down stops + a James Cook update

One area that the entire defense excelled in throughout the game was their run defense. Buffalo stifled the Giants to 79 yards rushing on 25 carries, an average of 3.2 yards per rush.

One area where the Bills will look to improve as they move on with the preseason is with their third down defense and offense. Buffalo allowed the Giants to convert on 9 of 19 third down attempts (47%). The offense converted just 1 of 9 third downs (11%).

After the game, McDermott gave another update on running back James Cook.

While Cook continues his hold-in (since Aug. 3) as he hopes for a new contract, the running back has still participated in meetings and team walk-thru, just not practice. McDermott shared that he and Cook spoke the day prior to the game, and the RB agreed to suit up and go through warmups but not play in the game.

"James and I had a good conversation yesterday. We talked about warming up, he agreed to warm up, but not play, due to his situation right now. That's where we're at. So, no change, really, overall," McDermott said.