The Buffalo Bills found their way back to the win column with a 24-18 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Buffalo (5-3) moves to one-half game behind the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East.
Buffalo’s offense moved the ball quickly and efficiently in the first half. The Bills utilized no-huddle playcalling to keep the pace of the game fast. The offense had the smoothest rhythm since the Week 4 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
The Bills opened the scoring with a 37-yard field goal by Tyler Bass after a few tough weeks for the kicker. Buffalo drove the ball into Buccaneers (3-4) territory but could only settle for the kick. Wideouts Gabe Davis and Khalil Shakir each caught two passes on the drive.
Tampa Bay tried to answer on their next drive. Tampa Bay kicker Chase McLaughlin attempted a 50-yard field goal. Defensive lineman Shaq Lawson got a finger on the kick, disrupting it and keeping the Bills in the lead.
Buffalo continued to work their quick-strike offense. Once again, the Bills drove deep into Tampa Bay territory. However, the Buccaneers kept Buffalo out of the end zone, as the drive stalled at the one-yard line.
The Buccaneers responded with a field goal to return the game to a one-score deficit.
Buffalo’s special teams unit came up large once again, as Deonte Harty returned a low line drive punt into Buccaneers territory. Quarterback Josh Allen, who was utilized as a runner more so in this game than in the past week, scurried 13 yards to secure a touchdown.
Tampa Bay’s defense also came up big, as Antoine Winfield deflected an Allen pass. Buccaneers defensive end William Gholston came down with the interception. The Bucs scored on a quick two-play drive, culminating with a three-yard touchdown pass to receiver Chris Godwin.
Buffalo’s offense continued to plug away. The Bills mixed in a no-huddle attack with primary shotgun snaps to move the ball swiftly and take the lead again. Allen found Dalton Kincaid for a 22-yard touchdown reception. Buffalo would enter halftime up 17-10.
After halftime, the Bills offense was in control. Buffalo sliced through the Tampa Bay defense in nine plays, adding another touchdown to their ledger. This time, Davis was the recipient of a four-yard pass from Allen.
The offenses cooled off a bit, as both teams’ defenses forced punts on six consecutive drives. Buffalo’s Sam Martin has a great outing, leaving multiple punts inside Tampa Bay’s five-yard line.
As the game progressed, the Bills forced Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield to make poor decisions. With Buffalo’s secondary dropping deep, they prevented Mayfield from picking up any substantial yardage through the air. Allen was forced to check down to his running backs all night.
The Buccaneers tried to make a charge late in the game, but Buffalo’s defense largely kept Tampa Bay from finding any sort of rhythm. The Buccaneers were inefficient, moving the ball slowly down the field. Buffalo kept the drive alive with two fourth-down penalties. Even so, the Bills were content to allow the time to tick away against the floundering Tampa Bay offense.
Bucs receiver Mike Evans reeled in a late touchdown to bring the Buccaneers within a touchdown. Cade Otten caught the deflected two-point attempt to make the score Buffalo 24-18.
The Buccaneers went on to miss a late Hail Mary pass attempt, which weirdly was not touched by anyone. Buffalo held on for the victory.