Buffalo Bills Lay An Egg In Final Preseason Game

For the second home game in a row the Buffalo Bills looked awful in a 23-0 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions.  Preseason football games don't really mean anything; they're exhibitions.  They're meant to give marginal players a chance to show they deserve a roster spot. They give the team as a whole a chance to work against other teams without really showing much of what they have in their bag of tricks.

This preseason for the Buffalo Bills has been different.  It's been one of the worst in recent memory.  For the second game in a row the Bills were shutout in the first half and booed off the field.  After new quarterback Jordan Palmer's second interception of the game early in the fourth quarter there was a mass exodus of fans from the stadium.  Most of the rest still remaining left when he threw his third of the game.

To be fair, Palmer didn't have much time to prepare.  He joined the team just two days before.  But how do you account for EJ Manuel?  He's been touted as the team's franchise quarterback.  He played the first half and completed only 3 of 7 passes for 56 yards and failed to lead the offense to any points.

Maybe the Bills are just playing possum.  Maybe they have some incredible strategy and a whole different playbook they're saving for when they play for real.  I really doubt it.  This is likely a collection of talented players that have no direction and no leadership.  It would be different if the Bills were competitive but they're not even close.

Are we headed for a 15th straight season out of the playoffs?  Based on the Bills putrid play in preseason it certainly looks that way.  I'll keep my fingers crossed that they surprise me.