It took Chan Gailey all of nine words to accurately describe Thursday’s preseason opener against the Washington Redskins.

“It looked ugly, it felt ugly, it was ugly,” the Bills coach said.

The Bills were hardly in regular-season form against the Redskins, falling 7-6 in a slow-moving, sloppy affair at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The first-team offense put up only three points -- which came after receiving the ball at the Washington 20 from a turnover -- and struggled to find a rhythm.

“I think with preseason, people tend to overreact positive or negative,” QB Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “This was good because we got to go up against a defense that wasn’t ours, we got to see different looks and them playing different styles of (coverages) ... it’s good to get out there in a game-like setting and do it. We wish we would’ve been more productive.”

The first-team defense showed more promise, holding the Redskins to a three-and-out on their first drive and forcing a fumble on the following possession. But the defense also gave up an 80-yard touchdown drive on Washington’s third attempt.

“We did some things to hurt ourselves,” DT Kyle Williams said. “But other than that one drive, I thought it went well. We just have to keep building.”

Fitz goes no-huddle: The first-team offense operated exclusively out of the no-huddle and, amazingly enough, didn’t attempt a single running play. Fitzpatrick went 6 of 14 for 61 yards. “(It was because of) the way they played,” Gailey said. “If they stayed in their 3-4, seven-man front, we were going to throw the football. ... We’re in the middle of installation. We didn’t want to go out there and put a plan in against the 3-4 for the ones, so we just said we’d work on our no-huddle.”

Special teams stand out: The offense and defense struggled, but Buffalo’s special teams unit had a strong night. Brian Moorman pinned the Redskins inside their own 20 on four occasions -- and twice inside the 4-yard line.

Penalties, penalties, penalties: Like most preseason games, it was anything but pretty. The teams combined for 23 penalties for 190 yards; the Bills had 14 penalties for 134 yards. Buffalo had eight false starts and at one point had three in the span of four plays. “That’s awful,” Gailey said after a long sigh.

Replacement refs struggle: Not only did the replacement referees hand out 23 penalties, they also had their share of troubles with routine decisions. At one point, the refs awarded a touchback on a Moorman punt that clearly was downed at the 4-yard line. Gailey and Moorman were visibly angry about the call, and it was reversed after a challenge from Gailey.

Extra points: Vince Young led the team in rushing with 37 yards on five attempts. ... Rookie T.J. Graham led the team in receiving with three catches for 37 yards. ... Stevie Johnson had a 20-yard touchdown called back in the first quarter due to an illegal formation foul.

For more updates on the Bills follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLBUF and @MarkLud12.