Three Main Reasons Bills' Fans Should Watch Saturday's NFL Preseason Game vs. Browns

The Buffalo Bills contest their lone away preseason game of the summer, visiting the Cleveland Browns for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff on August 22.

It comes two days after the two teams held a joint practice on Thursday at the Browns' facility in Berea.

After putting them through a productive, competitive practice, Bills' first-year head coach Joe Brady will presumably elect to keep his veteran starters sidelined.

Here are the three most important reasons Bills' fans must watch on Saturday afternoon.

Backup QB battle takes center stage

Assuming starting quarterback Josh Allen sits, second-string candidates Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele will each play one half.

"Whatever Coach asks me to do. Obviously, whether I play or not, I'm going to be happy with the decision," said the five-time NFL MVP finalist Allen. "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."

Both have different advantages in what appears to be a wide-open competition.

When the Bills opened the preseason schedule against the Carolina Panthers on August 15, Kyle Allen, no relation to Josh, saw 27 snaps, going 14-of-16 passing for 108 yards. Over 25 snaps, Buechele finished 6-of-9 passing for 50 yards.

Shane Buchele — Aug 15, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Shane Buechele (6) runs with the ball looking to throw against the Carolina Panthers | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Will there be punts? and returns?

It's hard to hold a punting competition when the team goes an entire game without punting once. Such was the case when the Bills opened their preseason schedule against Carolina.

"I was hoping to probably to get some punts today," said Brady last Saturday.

Seventh-round rookie Tommy Doman was the lone punter to see the field in the exhibition opener, serving as the holder for Tyler Bass on kicks. Veteran incumbent Mitch Wishnowsky, who was fighting through minor injury, did not play.

Tommy Doman holding — Aug 15, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass (16) makes a field goal with holder Mitch Wishnowsky (19) as Carolina Panthers defensive back Will Lee (24) rushes in during the first quarter at the New Highmark Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Being that Doman held last week, it's possible that Wishnowsky fills that role in Cleveland. Although he was with the Bills in 2025, Wishnowsky never had the opportunity to hold for Bass, who missed the entire season due to injury.

On the other side last week, Carolina punted only three times, leading to one Bills' return opportunity — a 12-yarder by Mecole Hardman. Backup running back Ray Davis, who established himself as the primary kick returner last year, was waiting back for the first punt of the game, but it sailed over his head for a touchback.

"Ray, obviously, wants that role," said Brady. "I want to make sure, if a guy wants that, you let him go take it and go get it."

Aug 15, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (7) runs with the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at New Highmark Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Tracking Bills' defensive progress

It was an impressive debut for first-year coordinator Jim Leonhard's defense against the Panthers.

With a new system in place and position battles unfolding at every level of the unit, the preseason reps are highly valuable this summer.

In particular, there is a huge opportunity for some of the younger players to make an impression during live game action. Fourth-round rookie linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr is included in that group as he battles against Dorian Williams for the starting inside linebacker spot next to Terrel Bernard. Williams appeared to lose multiple matchups when dropping back in pass coverage against the Browns on Thursday.

Bills Kaleb Elarms-Orr gets ready for the next drill during the Return of the Blue and Red practice at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Aug. 8, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The secondary is an area of heavy interest, too. Second-round rookie cornerback Davison Igbinosun and undrafted rookie Kani Walker are both making the case for a place in the primary rotation. The Bills also have a roster competition happening at safety with veterans Damar Hamlin and Geno Stone looking to stick.

It's worth watching to see how the Bills defend the deep ball and Browns' rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion, who made multiple long catches against Leonhard's crew in 11-on-11 team drills.

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