Buffalo Bills Winners and Losers: Bills/Lions Edition

The Buffalo Bills ended their preseason with no wins, but they have plenty of things to be happy about heading into the regular season.

The fourth preseason game is generally not thought of as interesting to many, but this is the game in which players are fighting for their respective careers. Some players who played well may still not make the Bills roster, but their final audition may help them land elsewhere.

Which Bills players ended the preseason finale as winners or losers? Read on to find out!

Winner: Ryan Fitzpatrick

The preseason couldn't have ended on a more positive note for the Bills starting quarterback. Fitzpatrick had an inconsistent preseason with poor showings against the Redskins and Steelers and solid play against the Vikings and against the Lions on Thursday night.

In his one drive of the evening, Fitzpatrick was perfect. Fitzpatrick completed all five of his passes for 39 yards and ended his drive with a four-yard touchdown pass to his favorite target, Stevie Johnson.

Heading into the regular season against the New York Jets, the Buffalo Bills signal-caller will be full of confidence after an impressive outing.

Winner: C.J. Spiller

C.J. Spiller hasn't been given many reps this preseason to run the ball. On Thursday against the Lions, Spiller was the Bills featured back for their opening drive. In that time, Spiller showed the Bills that they have plenty of talent at the running back position.

Spiller rushed the ball six times Thursday night and ended with 29 yards. Spiller showed off his speed, patience waiting for blocks and the ability to break tackles. Much like Ryan Fitzpatrick, C.J. Spiller will be entering the regular season on a high note.

Winner: Marcus Easley

Marcus Easley is buried on the Bills depth chart. Heading into the game against the Lions, there seemed to be no chance for the third year wide receiver to make the team. On Thursday night, however, Easley may have given himself a chance.

In the receiving game, Easley ended up with one reception for 20 yards. This was not where Easley made his impact however. In the fourth quarter, the Lions kicked off to the Bills and stopped Easley on the 10-yard line, but he committed a penalty. The Bills forced the Lions to re-kick and Easley did the rest. Upon receiving the kickoff, Easley took the ball 100 yards down the field for a Bills touchdown. Tyler Thigpen then hit Easley to convert a two-point conversion.

The Bills are still looking for a kick returner, and Easley surely made a lasting impression. If Easley is cut by the Bills tomorrow, another team is likely to sign him after his impressive final audition this preseason.

Winner: Tyler Thigpen

Tyler Thigpen came into Thursday night's game against the Lions dead in the water. He started off playing that way as well. However, as he was given more time on the field, Thigpen looked more more comfortable and ended the night with an impressive stat line.

Thigpen completed 18 of 30 passes for 186 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The two interceptions obviously do not look good, but only one was truly his fault, as the second was on a play in which Thigpen's arm was hit.

To Thigpen's credit, he led the Bills on two scoring drives. One that ended in a Johnny White touchdown rush and a second where he found H-Back Dorin Dickerson open in the back of the end zone.

Even though Tarvaris Jackson has limited experience in the Bills offense, I don't see them holding onto Thigpen until Jackson grasps the offense. However, on what is likely his last game in a Bills uniform, Thigpen showed other teams that he could still contribute if injuries occur to him, their signal-caller.

Loser: Derek Hagan

Derek Hagan looked great for the Bills in training camp. At one point I was convinced that Hagan had a chance to dethrone Donald Jones as the team's second wide receiver. Hagan received plenty of praise during training camp, but it hasn't been translated during the preseason.

Hagan's evening ended with one reception for eight yards against the Lions. He also had a drop in the end zone on a well placed throw from Tyler Thigpen. Hagan, at one point, seemed like a lock to make the Bills roster, but now it's far from certain.

Loser: Brad Smith

It isn't likely to happen, but I actually hope that the Bills part ways with Brad Smith on Friday when making their final cuts. Tell Smith it's not his fault, and that it's them and not him. Whatever it takes, the Bills need to part ways with Brad Smith and the mistake of a contract that they signed him to.

Am I being too hard on Smith? Probably. Much like the Jets' Wildcat package with Tim Tebow, the Bills have kept their Wildcat package with Smith under wraps. I think that the Bills have a special package for him and maybe, when the season begins, he'll prove his worth. That said, he was a major disappointment this preseason.

Smith's role on Thursday was simply that of a kick returner. In his first return, he carried the ball carelessly and fumbled the ball away. He finished by averaging 19 yards on three kickoff returns. Smith looked very slow on kickoff returns and made me wonder where he truly fits on this team.

It's just my opinion, but I feel that the Bills would be better off using a Wildcat package that featured Tarvaris Jackson, Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. While it'd be a shock to some, the Bills would be wise to say goodbye to Smith on Friday.

Loser: Aaron Williams

Aaron Williams has had a rough training camp and preseason. The second cornerback job was handed to the defensive back out of Texas, but Williams hasn't done much to prove that he is the man for the job.

Let me preface this by saying, I know there is only one Calvin Johnson in the NFL. He is by far the best wide receiver in the league and on one play, Megatron made Williams look foolish. Lined up with Williams, Johnson simply made a cut to the inside of the field and left Williams behind. Safety George Wilson came over and never looked for the ball. The result? An easy touchdown for Calvin Johnson.

The New York Jets haven't shown much of a passing game this preseason, but don't be surprised if Mark Sanchez picks on the second-year cornerback early and often in Week 1.

Loser: Justin Rogers

Justin Rogers is another young defensive back with plenty of potential. Thursday night against the Lions however, Rogers was picked on early and often. Rogers simply looked overwhelmed and outmatched against the Lions wide receivers.

I thought Rogers was a lock to make the Bills 53-man roster, but now I am not so sure. The Bills may prefer to just keep five defensive backs. Rogers' saving grace may be his talent in the return game. Rogers in time may turn out to be a solid defensive back, but against the Lions, his play was disappointing.

Don't be surprised if the Bills monitor the waiver wire closely for corners Friday as teams compile their final 53-man rosters.

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