Instant analysis: Bills, Josh Allen battle back but comeback falls short vs. Bucs

Instant analysis: #Bills, Josh Allen battle back but comeback falls short vs. the #Bucs (via @jdiloro):

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The Buffalo Bills erased a 21-point halftime deficit to send their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to overtime in Week 14.

But then Bucs quarterback Tom Brady once again got the best of the Bills, as Buffalo fell to Tampa Bay in overtime, 33-27.

Buffalo’s first half play was less than desirable. The defense struggled to contain the Buccaneers (10-3) offense, as Tampa Bay put up 303 total yards in the first two quarters.  Brady was 19-of-26 for 214 passing yards and one passing touchdown.

The Bills (7-6) defense, for all of the lamenting about their rush defense, did a fairly good job, allowing 89 yards on 16 carries over the first half.

However, as a fatal flaw of the defense, Buffalo once again gave up a long run, a 47-yard scamper by Tampa running back Leonard Fournette to open the scoring:

Buffalo’s offense could only muster three points in the first half. Bills QB Josh Allen was under constant duress, completely destroying the timing of routes.

Buffalo punted four times and Allen threw an interception during the first two quarters. The Bills did not convert any of their five third-down attempts.

But then something flipped after halftime. Tampa Bay’s offense was lethargic in challenging Buffalo’s defense. The Buccaneers could only tack on a field goal early in the fourth quarter.

Buffalo made their biggest change in play-calling, putting the game on the back of Allen. And, it almost ended with a victory.

Allen ran for the Bills’ first touchdown, an 18-yard run up the middle. Allen added touchdown passes to tight end Dawson Knox and wideout Gabriel Davis.

Allen threw for 308 passing yards while adding 109 rushing yards:

It looked like Buffalo was on the cusp of completing the comeback, as they won the coin toss in overtime.

However, the Bills went three-and-out on their sole overtime drive on offense, once again asking a great deal of their defense.

While Buffalo’s defense held strong during the second half, giving the Bills an opportunity to win, they could not stop Brady on the final drive.

It was dangerous putting the ball in Brady’s hands and unfortunately, Buffalo’s defense broke:

The biggest concern focuses on Allen.

He injured his left ankle while running for a first down. This is where having no semblance of a competent running attack bites the Bills, as Allen is forced to take plenty of hits while running for his life.

For the first time in 30 years, a team did not have a running back carry the ball in a half. Buffalo did that tonight. In fact, their first official run occurred on the failed fake punt on the opening drive of the second half.

Buffalo’s offensive line struggled to pick up blitzes, particularly secondary blitzes off the edge. In addition to Allen taking shots while running the ball, he was constantly on his back or running out of the pocket to avoid pressure.

Tampa Bay registered 11 quarterback hits on the game.

Folks can look at this heartbreaking loss in multiple ways.

The silver lining: the team can make adjustments to challenge an elite team.

The problem: Buffalo put themselves in a deep hole that they could not completely escape.

There are still questions with respect to the team’s play calling.

Buffalo’s offense looked completely lost in the first half, while the defense gave up points on Tampa Bay’s first four possessions. The fake punt call was quizzical, to say the least.

The ball didn’t bounce in Buffalo’s favor during several moments in the game. There were multiple times where it appeared that wide receiver Stefon Diggs faced very handy defending. The Buccaneers first-down conversion in overtime was far from a certainty.

However, spotting a team with the talent of Tampa Bay a three-score lead by halftime doesn’t help, either.

And, that’s what Buffalo must figure out moving forward.

Buffalo falls to seventh in the AFC playoff standings. As of Sunday, they are one of five teams with a 7-6 record.

Coming off back-to-back losses, the Bills look to get things back on track next Sunday at Highmark Stadium against the Carolina Panthers.

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