Bills Beats Buccaneers in Preseason Finale

Buechele Seizes His Moment

With Josh Allen sitting out the preseason finale, quarterback Shane Buechele made the most of his first full NFL game. The 26-year-old delivered a sharp 25-of-30 passing performance for 278 yards and a touchdown, guiding the Buffalo Bills to a 23-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night.

Buechele, who missed last season due to a neck injury, expressed gratitude afterwards: “It’s my first time playing a full NFL game, and it was a lot of fun.” While buried behind Allen, Mitchell Trubisky, and Mike White on Buffalo’s depth chart, the outing could earn him practice squad security — or a look from another QB-needy team.

Roster Battles on Display

Both squads opted to rest starters, giving roster hopefuls the spotlight:

• Tyrell Shavers (Bills WR) delivered with a one-handed 11-yard TD grab and impressed coach Sean McDermott with special teams effort.

• Frank Gore Jr. (Bills RB) opened scoring with a short rushing TD, while totaling 61 scrimmage yards.

• Kyle Trask (Buccaneers QB) strengthened his case for the backup role to Baker Mayfield, completing 13 of 17 passes with a touchdown.

• Tez Johnson (Bucs WR) hauled in 8 catches for 58 yards and a TD — then landed a backflip celebration that energized Tampa’s sideline.

Not all auditions went smoothly. Buccaneers rookie safety Shilo Sanders (son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders) was ejected for throwing a punch after an early pass interference penalty. Head coach Todd Bowles called the act “inexcusable.”

Special Teams Spark

• Tampa’s Josh Williams and Kameron Johnson impressed in the return game, averaging 36+ yards per kickoff return.

• Buffalo relied on an unusual substitute at punter — tight end Zach Davidson, a former college punter, who launched a 62-yarder.

Injury Updates

• Bills: CB Tre’Davious White suffered a lower leg injury earlier in the week. WR Curtis Samuel missed the trip due to illness.

• Buccaneers: GM Jason Licht noted All-Pro T Tristan Wirfs is progressing from knee surgery but may miss several games. WR Chris Godwin remains sidelined from an ankle injury.

Looking Ahead

• Bills open the regular season at home vs. the Ravens on Sunday Night Football (Sept. 7).

• Buccaneers visit the Falcons the same day.

Game Stats Recap

Category	Bills	Buccaneers
Final Score	23	19
Passing Yards	270	196
Rushing Yards	105	45
Total Offense	375	241
Top QB	S. Buechele – 25/30, 278 Yds, 1 TD	K. Trask – 13/17, 93 Yds, 1 TD
Top RB	F. Gore Jr. – 10 Car, 32 Yds, 1 TD	J. Williams – 8 Car, 28 Yds
Top WR	T. Shavers – 2 Rec, 24 Yds, 1 TD	T. Johnson – 8 Rec, 58 Yds, 1 TD