Bills' Backup Quarterback Battle Catches Fire vs. Browns With Josh Allen Looking On

Kyle Allen likely made viewers do a double take during the first half of the Buffalo Bills' preseason road game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday afternoon.

With franchise quarterback Josh Allen inactive per coach's decision, Kyle Allen got the first look in the Bills' backup quarterback competition. He took the starting snaps and accounted for a highly-efficient first half throwing the football.

"If I don't [play], I get to cheer on my guys, Kyle and Shane, going out there. Trying to be the best teammate I can be and give them anything that I can to help them out," said the five-time NFL MVP finalist Allen on Thursday.

On Saturday, the 30-year-old Kyle Allen, who is two months old than Josh, posted a 138.9 quarterback rating while averaging 10.7 yards per pass in the Bills' 31-7 road win.

After completing 10 of 12 pass attempts for 128 yards and one touchdown, Allen gave way to Shane Buechele at the start of the second half.

"Quarterbacks went out there, didn't blink," said rookie head coach Joe Brady. "It's raining during the National Anthem. I still called passes early. Hey, we gotta be able to throw the ball in the rain. How are we gonna be able to operate. It's like we've been doing in practice, so it was cool to see our quarterbacks at efficient football."

Kyle Allen highlights

On the game-opening touchdown drive that was interrupted by a lightning delay, Allen went 2-of-2 passing for 35 yards. His two incompletions, both targeting tight end Jackson Hawes, were negated by defensive pass interference penalties.

"We got a lot of guys doing great things, receivers getting open for me, just playing within the system. Be prepared and just spread the ball around. It's been a good couple first games for offense all around," said Allen.

Kyle Allen throws a DIME for 37 yards 🎯

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Just as he opened the first half, Allen closed it out with another touchdown drive. Running the two-minute offense to perfection, the Bills moved 62 yards on four consecutive pass completions in 47 seconds as a nine-yard strike to Mecole Hardman capped the scoring drive.

"I think I've slowly gotten better year over year for the past four or five years. It's tough to bounce around a bunch of places, but that's the job of a backup quarterback," said Allen.

Aug 22, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Kyle Allen (11) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Shane Buechele highlights

Buechele, who has been a practice squad player for Buffalo, averaged 11.1 yards per attempt against the Browns. His quarterback rating came in at 123.3.

In addition to 5-of-10 passing for 111 yards and one touchdown, Buechele recorded a five-yard touchdown scramble on a 1st-and-goal play.

Shane Buechele said I GOT IT 😤

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Earlier in the second half, Buechele hit Ja'Mori Maclin in stride on a intermediate-range pass, and the receiver raced 71 yards on the touchdown reception.

"Getting the ball in the guys hands and key them do what they do. Guys were playing hard around us, so it's easy for us," said Buechele.

Aug 22, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Shane Buechele (6) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Kyle Allen preseason stats

vs. Panthers — 14-of-16 passing, 108 yards (87.5 pct.), 94.8 rating

at Browns — 10-of-12 passing (83.3 pct), 128 yards, TD, 138.9 rating

Shane Buechele preseason stats

vs. Panthers — 6-of-9 passing (66,7 pct), 50 yards, 80.8 rating

at Browns — 5-of-10 passing (50.0 pct.), 111 yards, TD, 123.3 rating, TD rush

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