Detroit Lions: Rapid Reactions to Preseason Win Over Bills

A collection of thoughts, observations and reactions to the Detroit Lions’ win over the Buffalo Bills in the 2016 preseason finale.

The 2016 preseason is in the book as the Detroit Lions dominated the Buffalo Bills in a game it appeared only one side had any interest in playing. Here are my quick thoughts, observations and reactions to tonight’s game and the final roster decisions to be made.

• It should be safe to put to rest talk of running back Dwayne Washington being on the roster bubble. In fact, it’s time to consider him the third back behind Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick.
• If Washington has indeed moved ahead of Zach Zenner on the depth chart, the team should feel good about that. It wasn’t that Zenner lost ground or was a disappointment compared to what he did last year. He displayed again tonight the tough running and receiving ability that made him a preseason darling last season.
• After mentioning Washington and Zenner, that brings us to George Winn, who had a spirited performance of his own. The 15 carries for 39 yards doesn’t look all that great on paper but there was some power to his carries and he showed well on special teams. I don’t think it will be enough to beat out Zenner for a roster spot, but could be enough to latch on elsewhere or earn a call from the Lions if injuries set in during the season.
• The battle for roster spots at the end of the depth chart on the defensive line and at wide receiver was already close but decisions should be even more difficult after several players left very good last impressions. Both Jace Billingsley and Jay Lee had very productive evenings at receiver and Kerry Hyder wrecked the Bills offensive line for three, nearly four, sacks.
• What to do with Jake Rudock? Honestly, I’m torn. He won’t be the primary backup, that will remain Dan Orlovsky – that’s just the way it is. However, I’m leaning more towards him being carried as a third quarterback instead of risking losing him and stashing him on the practice squad. Rudock showed tremendous growth in his one season at Michigan, going from the guy in charge of a hot mess of an offense in the season opener at Utah to a guy in complete control of what Jim Harbaugh wanted his guys to do. Similarly, Rudock has shown growth from the first preseason game to the last. If he’s done enough to convince the Lions he can be their primary backup as soon as next season, they should carry him on the 53-man roster.

Next: Top 5 Detroit Lions Games Over Last 20 Years

Bring on the regular season.