7 Observations: Maclin makes huge play & Allen looks the part as Buffalo Bills rout Cleveland Browns

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — It was a successful trip to the other side of Lake Erie for the Buffalo Bills, improving to 2-0 in the preseason with a 31-7 win over the Cleveland Browns. After a solid day of work in a joint practice with the Browns on Thursday, the Bills played almost exclusively backups and young players on Saturday, but it didn’t seem to matter with a decisive victory.

Here are my seven main observations from Saturday’s win:

A different Allen has a strong day:

Kyle Allen followed up a strong preseason debut with an even better performance. On Saturday, he finished the game 10-for-12 for 128 yards and a touchdown. Last week, he was 14-for-16 for 108 yards.

Allen had some nice throws, highlighted by a perfect deep ball to Ja’Mori Maclin at the end of the first half that led to a touchdown. He also dropped a beautiful pass to Trent Sherfield earlier in the second quarter.

It hadn’t been a great training camp for Allen, but he’s been near perfect in the first two preseason games. He’s the frontrunner to be the Bills' backup quarterback and has possibly earned a night off in the preseason finale this upcoming Thursday.

To his credit, Shane Buechele was also very good. He had multiple touchdowns and was able to move the ball on several drives. He will absolutely be kept on the Bills practice squad, unless claimed by another team.

WR battle intensifies:

Trent Sherfield was one of the best Bills players on Saturday. He had four catches on four targets for 54 yards. He also made a big block on the Bills' first touchdown of the day from Ray Davis. Sherfield is a solid special teams contributor and has familiarity with Josh Allen from his previous stint in Buffalo. But Sherfield likely only will make the Bills roster if they keep six wide receivers.

The same can be said for Mecole Hardman, who made some nice plays on Saturday, but had more of an up-and-down day. He did have a touchdown and a solid punt return, but also had a pair of drops. Entering the day, I would’ve given the slight edge between these two players to Hardman, but now I’d lean Sherfield. The other thing that helps Sherfield is that he has a similar skill set to Tyrell Shavers, who is still recovering from injury. He could be somewhat of a placeholder until Shavers comes back (if he does).

Write it in pen:

Maclin seems like a slam dunk to be on the Bills practice squad. He’s probably too far down the WR depth chart to have a real chance at the 53-man roster, but he’s a young player with upside who has flashed this summer during training camp. He made the play of the day, with a 71-yard touchdown in the third quarter. The sideline erupted as the Bills rookie scored his first touchdown. He also had the previously mentioned 37-yard reception from Allen in the second quarter.

I feel the same way about Ian Wheeler. He’s impressed during the Bills' first two preseason games. The Bills' running back room has three solid players that seem like roster locks, but I believe Wheeler has leapfrogged Frank Gore Jr.

Rookie recap:

I liked the game for Bills second-round pick T.J. Parker. He had an offside penalty that can’t happen but also showed some good pursuit. He had a few solid pass-rush reps and also set the edge a few times in run support.

It wasn’t as good of a day for fourth-round pick Jude Bowry. He got beat on a Browns sack in the first quarter. Bowry is firmly on the team because of where he was drafted and his potential, but the first two preseason games have been inconsistent.

Hamlin’s interception:

During the lightning delay, I answered some questions on Twitter (I know it’s called X now). A few people had asked me about Damar Hamlin and if he was going to get cut.

An hour later, he had an interception. Now listen, I’m not buying into an interception off a deflected ball in the second quarter of a preseason game. But this summer he has been the better of the backup safeties. I think sometimes Bills fans hear Hamlin’s name and naturally groan because when he needed to start, he was exposed. But as a depth player and special teams contributor, he has a very strong chance at making the Bills roster.

Brady’s clock management:

Joe Brady made a smart decision, and it directly led to a touchdown. Let me explain.

With 1:28 left in the first half, the Bills had the Browns pinned deep in their own end and facing a 3rd and 12. Brady wisely used his first timeout to stop the clock and try to get the ball back. On the next play, Sanders took an offside penalty, which gave the Browns a more favorable 3rd and 7, but the Bills defense made a play and forced a punt.

Buffalo got the ball back with 1:14 left on the clock and scored just four plays and 46 seconds later.

If Brady doesn’t take the timeout, the Bills likely end the half tied. Instead, they took advantage of the situation and scored a touchdown to take a 14-7 lead. This was not galaxy brain stuff from Brady; it was common sense. But you know what they say about common sense.

Other notes from the Bills' second preseason game:

During the game, I scribble notes onto a yellow notepad. Here are some that I’ll quickly share.

• Jordan Hancock continues to impress. It doesn’t matter if he’s at nickel cornerback or safety; he makes plays. He’s a player who has seen his stock skyrocket in the last two weeks.
• Landon Jackson looks so much more comfortable with his new role. He’s been noticeable in two preseason games.
• Saturday was the first time we saw rookie punter Tommy Doman punt in an actual game. His first punt was his best at 50 yards. The second punt was very returnable and didn’t have much air time. His third punt was fine. Veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky had the best punt of the day with a booming 59-yarder in the third quarter. Doman still has the inside track at winning the punting battle because the Bills used a draft pick on him, but Wishnowsky isn’t going down without a fight.
• I thought it was notable that linebacker Dorian Williams was playing into the second quarter.
• Kani Walker had a nice preseason game. He’s clearly the Bills' fourth boundary cornerback at the moment behind Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, and Davison Igbinosun.
• DeWayne Carter had a handful of nice plays in the second half.
• It had to be a big confidence boost for Tyler Bass to convert on a 52-yard field goal. He made all his kicks on Saturday.