The Buffalo Bills opener their preseason schedule against the Chicago Bears, losing in a 33-6 final.

As is always the case, there were many players that featured in the exhibition contest. For a brief time, the starters got some snaps both on offense and defense and they were followed up by players fighting for a roster spot. There was plenty to be taken from the game, regardless.

Here are five takeaways from the Bills' preseason loss to the Bears:

Starters see a little time

The starters for the Bills played in the first quarter, as promised. The offense saw more time than the defense.

After holding the Bears offense to a field goal on the opening drive for Chicago, plenty of starters left after the opening drive. While Bears quarterback Caleb WIlliams did complete a solid pass or two, there wasn't too much to be worried about.

The offense was a different story. After going three-and-out, the first teamers went out there and still didn't look great but did get a few plays on tape before quarterback Josh Allen left the game. He was two-for-three passing and then left the contest before the rest of the starting offense. Allen ran the ball and right at the end of the first quarter, he left.

When Mitchell Trubisky replaced Allen, we did see some flashes from Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir. The duo both displayed some yards-after-catch ability. Regarding top draft pick Keon Coleman, he had his share of struggles separating and only

Ground game concerns

Allen and the passing game didn't really get going but compared to the ground game it certainly did. James Cook and fourth-round rookie Ray Davis did not have much to work with. The offensive line didn't do a very good job creating any sort of space for the running backs. That has to improve

Von and Matt don't play

While not an on-field takeaway, we did learn how the Bills plan to handle Von Miller and Matt Milano. It was a slow-and-steady approach. Both of the defenders did not play against the Bears. But they were on the sideline, at least.

Miller and Milano are hoping for bounce-back seasons in 2024 after dealing with various injuries over the past year.

Return questions

The battle to be the Bills' kick returner did not go very well. Against the Bears, KJ Hamler got the first look at it and fumbled once. On top of that, while playing with the second-team offense, he had a drop as well.

But Hamler was dealt a favor by defensive back Daequan Hardy. In the second half, the sixth-round rookie got his look at returning and he had a questionable moment. He fair caught a punt inside his own five-yard line. You don't see that very often because it's not a good decision.

This position battle remains open.

McDermott's silver lining

While just a preseason game, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott is not going to be happy. Plenty of points went on the scoreboard in the second half against players who will have a tough time making this team. Even so, his team took more than 10 penalties and really got beat up in all three phases of the game.

However, we have a silver lining. The Bills hired former NFL referee John Parry this offseason to help with McDermott challenging plays. The coach is notoriously bad at it in his career.

But McDermott was two-for-two on challenges against the Bears. In 2018, McDermott won three challenges in that regular season. That is the only time he has ever won more than two challenges in an entire season. Parry getting two right in one game? What a turnaround.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 5 takeaways from the Bills' 33-6 preseason loss vs. the Bears