RECAP: Tampa Bay Buccaneers No Match For the Buffalo Bills, Lose 24-18
The Bucs were up against the wall coming into this road game vs. the Buffalo Bills. That said, after suffering two consecutive losses at home, it was tough to envision things getting much worse for Tampa Bay.
That was until it was announced early Thursday evening that the Bucs would be without their star defensive tackle, Vita Vea.
But sometimes, adversity breeds success.
And for the Bucs, they would need to overcome adversity in order to achieve success in a hostile road environment. Especially against a team like Buffalo, who despite having a roster loaded with talent, were also struggling coming into this contest.
Both teams were hungry for a victory coming into this Week 8 showdown between the Bucs and Bills.
Here’s what happened next.
The Buccaneers received the opening kickoff but were forced to punt before making it to midfield. After second-year punter, Jake Camarda, crushed a perfect kick pinning the Bills deep in their own territory, Buccaneers star left tackle, Tristan Wirfs, was in obvious pain leaving the field. It turns out he sustained a quad contusion and managed to return to the game without missing a snap.
Josh Allen and the Bills came out looking sharp. With the help of some really poor tackling by the Buccaneers — most notably Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Carlton Davis — the Bills managed to march the ball deep into Tampa territory, before rookie defensive back, Christian Izien, made a textbook tackle of Stefon Diggs, which forced the Bills to settle for a field goal.
The following Buccaneers' possession resulted in a 50-yard field goal attempt, which was blocked by Shaq Lawson. Not only did that stop the Bucs from tying the game, but it gave the Bills a fantastic field position to start their second drive.
WATCH: William Gholston's Wild Interception Leads To A Crazy Touchdown Catch By Chris Godwin
The Bills continued to march the ball down the field on Todd Bowles’ defense with ease. Vita Vea’s absence was glaring, as Josh Allen had what felt like all day in the pocket whenever he dropped back to pass.
Need proof? Josh Allen was 10/11 passing in the first quarter.
Still, the Bucs — leading the NFL in red zone defense — managed to stuff Latavius Murray at the goal line on 3rd-and-1, as the first quarter came to a close. On the ensuing 4th down, the first play of the second quarter, Jamel Dean broke up a pass to Dalton Kincaid, forcing a turnover on downs. It was a huge play, as the Bucs managed to hold the Bills scoreless on what was otherwise a dominant possession.
Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, starting from their own 2-yard line felt like too daunting of a task for such an anemic offense to overcome. And as pessimistic as that feeling may have been, it was proven to be justified, as Tampa Bay had to punt after what felt like the quickest 3-and-out in the history of the league.
After a line drive punt from Jake Camarda, Bills’ return man, Deonte Harty, put together a nifty 24-yard return giving the Bills possession deep in Buccaneers territory, less than two minutes after they were last there. This time, it didn’t take long for the Bills to take advantage, as Josh Allen scampered 13 yards into the endzone on 2nd-and-12, giving the Bills an early 10-0 lead.
The Bucs managed to respond, though.
Oct 26, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws the ball against Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) applying pressureduring the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
After a 31-yard catch-and-run by Chris Godwin brought the Buccaneers beyond midfield, the progress was immediately halted after back-to-back penalties, first by Trey Palmer, then Luke Goedeke, placed the Buccaneers into a tough position. However, kicker, Chase McLaughlin, nailed a 57-yard field goal to finally put the Bucs on the board.
10-3, Bills.
On Buffalo's next play from scrimmage, Bucs' star safety, Antoine WInfield Jr., blitzed into the backfield and batted a pass attempt by Josh Allen into the air, which, after floating into a stampede of large bodies along the line of scrimmage, fell gently into the arms of veteran defensive tackle, William Gholston.
It was a much needed turnover for Todd Bowles' defense, giving the Bucs some life right when they needed it most.
The Buccaneers, like the Bills just a few minutes earlier, managed to capitalize on the generous field position. One play after Rachaad White took a screen pass 20 yards to the doorstep of the endzone, Mayfield hit Godwin for a touchdown.
Tie game: 10-10
Good teams don't stay idle, though. And that's exactly what the Bills did. After a mixed bag of runs and passes, Bills’ quarterback, Josh Allen, hit standout rookie tight end, Dalton Kincaid, for the first touchdown reception of his young career, giving the Bills a 17-10 lead.
The Bucs would have the last crack at putting points on the board. And although they managed to march the ball down the field, a peculiar coaching decision ended the half.
Todd Bowles, sent out his kicker, Chase McLaughlin, to attempt a 59-yard field goal.
Or so it seemed.
After the entire offense stood motionless, it seemed like the Bucs were attempting to draw the Bills offside? Yet the long snapper didn’t even put his hand on the ball, and as the play clock winded down, the Buccaneers accepted the delay of game penalty, and punted the ball.
WATCH: Buccaneers Punter Gets Helmet Knocked Off During Fight Against Bills
The field goal attempt would have been just 2-yards beyond the kick that McLaughlin had already made, yet Todd Bowles instead chose to intentionally incur a penalty, and punt the ball away.
As the players ran into the locker room for halftime, the decision by the Bucs' head coach left not only the fans in attendance, but everyone else watching from home, perplexed by the strange decision.
To open the second half, Josh Allen led a full field drive, resulting in a 4-yard touchdown strike to Gabriel Davis.
24-10, Bills.
On the Bucs' opening drive of the second half, a Houdini-like move from Baker Mayfield allowed the the Bucs' QB to turn a should-be-sack into a first down. The impressive scramble was all-for-not, though. The following three plays went nowhere, and the Buccaneerss, who despite being down two touchdowns, were forced to punt the ball away once again.
Holding the Bills scoreless on the following possession would be mandatory for the Buccaneers if they were to have any hope of coming back. And just like they've done numerous times this season, Tampa Bay's defense managed to bend, but not break, providing the offense one more opportunity to close the gap.
So what did the offense do next? The same thing they've done all year, too.
After offensive coordinator, Dave Canales, called two consecutive run plays for minimal gains, the Buccaneers faced 3rd-and-long from near their own goal line. A completion to Chris Godwin came close to the sticks, but it wasn't enough.
The Bucs were forced to punt the ball away.
Oct 26, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Comebacks in the NFL don't happen on their own. But they also can't happen when cowardly coaching decisions continue to get in the way.
That said, the Bucs did manage to hold the Bills on the following possession, allowing them to get the ball back down 14 points (24-10) with 14 minutes and change left on the clock. Unfortunately, just like the previous possession, they were forced to work from within their own 5-yard line. And again, just like the previous possession, they were unable to advance the football.
Good thing the Bucs have a good punter, I guess?
In what was a classic case of Deja Vu, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense managed to force Buffalo's offense to punt, and regained possession, for the third consecutive series, within their own 10-yard line.
This time though, the Buccaneers were able to move the ball.
Mayfield spread the ball around, most often to Rachaad White — who added to his impressive receiving totals on the day (7 receptions for 70 yards) — taking Tampa Bay into Buffalo territory. After a bizarre drive that took what felt like an eternity, Baker Mayfield managed to hit Mike Evans for a 24-yard touchdown strike on 4th down.
The Bucs went for two, and despite the ball being tipped, managed to convert with Mayfield's pass eventually landing in the hands of his second-year tight end, Cade Otton in the endzone.
Bills 24, Buccaneers 18.
Despite a late push, when it was all said and done, it was a predictable process (and result) for the Buccaneers, who were unable to generate any semblance of a threatening offense en route to losing their third consecutive game.
Tampa Bay is now below .500 for the first time this season.
Despite the fact that Bills' quarterback, Josh Allen, was able to put up some impressive numbers, the Bucs' defense held their own in this one.
Offensively? It's back to the drawing board. Especially for offensive coordinator, Dave Canales. His offense has scored just 37 points over their last three games. And if he can't find a way to create more scoring opportunities for his team, the Buccaneers' chances at making the postseason will fade away faster than burnt ashes in the wind.
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