The Bills and Bears on Friday cranked up the intensity to go with the suburban Chicago heat in the mid-90s as the two faced off in an intense joint practice before they meet again in the second preseason game Sunday night at Soldier Field. Here are some observations from the 2.5-hour practice session in front of Bears fans at the team’s headquarters in Lake Forest, Ill.

 

COLEMAN, MOORE SHINE

Keon Coleman had perhaps the play of the day during 11-on-11 team reps against the Bears. Coleman ran a fantastic route, hesitating to make it look like he was going to run short, and when the defender bit, Coleman took off down the sideline with his arm in the air, knowing he had his man beat. Josh Allen delivered a perfect strike to Coleman in stride for a touchdown. The 2nd year wideout also had another TD grab during red zone work when Allen rolled to his right and found Coleman in the front corner of the end zone and he got both feet inbounds for the score.

After practice, Coleman said the two have been working on their chemistry. “Let’s make it unguardable,” he said. Coleman has continued to stack good days of late, and a good sign for growth going into Year 2.

Elijah Moore was also a frequent target of Allen’s, connecting with the MVP on several receptions against the Bears. Moore, who had not popped much of late during camp and also missed some time, was clearly on the same page as Allen working mostly in the slot with Khalil Shakir still nursing a high ankle sprain. Moore showed the quickness and burst in and out of cuts that impressed many observers in the spring at mandatory minicamp and OTAs. On one play, he went in motion toward the formation, caught a quick-hitter from Allen, made a cut and then was off to the races for a big gain, potentially a touchdown play if this were a game.

 

SAMUEL NEEDS TO STEP UP

Curtis Samuel returned to the practice field in limited fashion Friday after missing a long stretch of practice with a hamstring injury. He participated in individual drills but was not seen in 7-on-7 or full team work. Prior to the practice, Sean McDermott did not mince words about Samuel, who struggled with injuries in training camp and into the season last year before finally coming on late in the campaign and into the playoffs. “He’s been out really most of camp,” McDermott said. “The urgency needs to be there for all these guys and Curtis no different. We need to see how he fits into our offense this year. Availability is important as well as special teams. When you’re not wide receiver No. 1, that’s true of everyone.” The battle for spots on the roster in the back end of the receiver room is growing more interesting, especially when you consider Tyrell Shavers’ emergence and the aforementioned Moore having a strong day. Despite the Bills contract commitment and salary cap ramifications, it might no longer be a given that Samuel makes the team. He has plenty to prove in the next couple of weeks.

 

ALLEN STARTS SLOW BUT PICKS UP THE PACE 

Josh Allen and the first-team offense had their issues with the Bears defense in the early portion of practice, including a couple of interceptions and batted down balls from the arm of the reigning NFL MVP. However, as practice unfolded, Allen began to take advantage and move the ball with efficiency through the air, finding the likes of Coleman, Moore, Joshua Palmer, and his tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. Kincaid had a good outing as well and was a frequent target of Allen’s passes.

 

PASS RUSH RAMPING UP AFTER SLOW DEFENSIVE START

The Bills defense also started slow against the Bears first-team offense, with Caleb Williams completing far too many passes against Bobby Babich’s top unit. Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus were among the Chicago receivers finding success. The Bears were clearly going after Bills CB Tre’Davious White on several plays. But the defensive line picked up steam, creating pressure and harassing Williams throughout the session. Notably, Joey Bosa and Greg Rousseau had multiple would-be sacks. Landon Jackson, Ed Oliver, Larry Ogunjobi, T.J. Sanders, Michael Hoecht and others were also noticeable in their play up front. If Bosa and Rousseau can become a dynamic duo off the edge and others contribute to the pass rush and run defense, the Buffalo defense could have a formidable unit, especially if there are any issues in the secondary.

 

RAPP AND BISHOP BACK TOGETHER

Speaking of the secondary, safeties Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop, who’ve also dealt with injury issues throughout camp, had a good chunk of action together with the Bills starting defense. That’s an encouraging development as the pair needs to develop a rapport playing with each other on back end for Buffalo’s defense to reach its potential. Rookie defensive back Jordan Hancock also rotated into the first unit plenty and also worked with Damar Hamlin on the second team.

 

MILANO SURGING

Matt Milano continued his stellar effort this summer with a strong performance in the joint practice. He was visible all over the field, attacking the ball and making plays, including a diving pass breakup. It was reminiscent of the All-Pro form Milano showed prior to a pair of injuries cost him big chunks of the last two seasons. Arrow up for the veteran linebacker.

 

INTENSITY FROM BOTH SIDES 

The Bills and Bears had a good, physical practice and that included the special teams units, where the two squads went head-to-head punt coverage and return work. The Bills players were amped up on the field, and on the sidelines. On one rep, Tyrell Shavers was working as a gunner on punt coverage, and split a double team to race down field. His teammates were elated, running onto the field, hooting and hollering about the play. There was also a brief skirmish at one point where the two teams went after each other following a rep, and some pushing and shoving at other times. Much has been made about the intensity and physicality the Bears have shown during camp under new head coach Ben Johnson, which was on display in a previous joint practice against the Dolphins. In talking with Bears beat reporters, it was a night and day difference with the Bills in town, as they matched or even surpassed Chicago’s level.

 

INJURY UPDATES

Dion Dawkins was a full participant in practice after dealing with a back flare-up earlier in the week. Tyler Bass, Samuel, Shaw Thompson and Daequan Hardy were among those McDermott mentioned as limited participants prior to practice. Darrynton Evans and Te’Cory Couch are both dealing with hamstring injuries coming out of practice.

 

NO DECISION ON STARTERS SUNDAY

McDermott wanted to get through the joint practice before making a decision on who among the starters would play in Sunday night’s preseason game against the Bears. That includes Josh Allen, who McDermott said does take some ownership over whether he feels the need to get action during preseason contents.