The Buffalo Bills finished their preseason Saturday with a 24-21 win at Chicago to move to 2-1 in the exhibition portion of their schedule. We finally got to witness a touchdown drive from the starters and earned some more valuable knowledge about those vying for a spot on the end of the roster. Here are five “would you believe me if I said…” stats from your Bills’ 2023 preseason.

Would You Believe Me If I Said… The Bills had some explosive plays in the return game?

We know how much Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott value special teams. They have made final roster decisions based on whether a guy could play them. During the preseason, the Bills had one of the best return groups in the league. Newbie Andy Isabella had the third most return yards with 123. He averaged a solid 17.6 per return. When it comes to explosive plays, Darrynton Evans had a 42-yarder good enough was the fourth-longest return of the preseason.

Would You Believe Me If I Said… The Bills’ run defense was dominant?

The Bills’ run defense ranked in the top 10 in yards per carry to the left tackle, up the middle, and to the right guard, per NFL Stats and Info Solutions. They were No. 1 to the right guard, allowing just 1.25 yards per carry. Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave the Bills the best run defensive grade at 83.1, almost 10 points better than second-place Carolina.

Would You Believe Me If I Said… The Bills’ run game was pretty solid?

Like the run defense, the Bills rushing attack was also very good in spots, starting with PFF giving them a grade of 81.2 which was the fifth highest. Just like last year – but this can’t be blindly credited to Josh Allen – they have been awesome on 3rd/4th and short. Going back to NFL Stats and Info Solutions, Buffalo converted five of six attempts at 3rd/4th and three or less to first downs.

Would You Believe Me If I Said… The Bills look short, right?

It’s a small sample size from three different quarterbacks in the preseason, so it’s hard to glean anything from it, but Buffalo threw the ball short and to the right 39 times, per NFL Stats and Info Solutions. That is fifth most in the NFL and 14 more passes than short and to the left which was the second most.

Would You Believe Me If I Said… The Bills try to win in the preseason?

The Bills are 12-2 in the preseason since the start of the 2019 season. They haven’t had a losing record since 2017 in the exhibition portion of the calendar.