Orchard Park, NY (WGR550) - The Buffalo Bills won a back-and-forth affair over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 44–32 on Sunday to improve to 7–3 on the season. Here are my Arrows Up and Down after the contest, getting back to starting with Up:
ARROW UP
QB Josh Allen
He made a rough mistake early in the game but Allen played like the league MVP, accounting for six total touchdowns, including three rushing and three passing. He completed 19-of-30 passes (63.3%) for 317 yards and ran 6 times for another 40 yards, totaling 357 yards of offense. He was at his best when his team needed him to be.
WR Tyrell shavers
Just like last year when he got a limited opportunity made the most of it, Shavers came through in a big way, catching four passes for 90 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown.
RBs Ty Johnson and James Cook in passing game
Cook caught three passes for 66 yards and Johnson caught a pair for 61 yards, including TD receptions for both. That’s five catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns from the running backs.
WR Gabe Davis
In his first action back in a Bills uniform since 2023, Davis grabbed three passes for 40 yards, including s crucial fourth-down conversion in the first quarter.
KR Ray Davis and kick returns overall
The Bills were excellent on kick returns, especially Davis, who totaled 158 yards on four returns. Mecole Hardman started the game with a 61-yard return. The Bills average starting field position following kickoffs was their own 44 yard line.
OC Joe Brady
Brady did a good job to find answers in the passing game and for giving Allen more time against the Tampa blitz after the Bucs started the game putting him under a lot of pressure.
Passing game flow
It wasn’t just the numbers. 317 yards. Nine different receivers catching passes. It was also the flow and look of the passing game that was much better for the Bills. Things seemed more in-sync and available.
Explosive plays
The Bills had eight offensive plays of at least 20 yards.
Pass protection
On the first two plays of the game for the Bills offense, Josh Allen was hurried. But after that they did a great job to keep him protected and give him time. Allen was not sacked at all and the Bucs were credited with just one total QB hurry in the game.
S Cole Bishop
With the Bills trailing by two points and needing a stop late in the third quarter, Bishop came up with a huge interception of Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Bills scored a touchdown on the very next play. He finished the game with six total tackles, the interception, and a pass breakup.
LB Terrel Bernard
Bernard was tied for the game’s leading tackler with eleven total stops, including two for loss, and added two pass breakups, as well.
DT DaQuan Jones’ strip sack
The Bills led 44-32. The Bucs had the ball at the Bills 31-yard line with 1:52 remaining. On first down, Mayfield dropped back but was sacked by Jones, who jarred the ball loose. Dorian Williams recovered and the Bills sealed the game.
K Matt Prater
On a very windy day, Prater connected on all six of his attempts, including five extra points and a 39-yard field goal.
P Mitch Wishnowksy
Wishnowksy punted twice. The first pinned Tampa at their own 4-yard line. The second was downed right at their 20 with no return.
Third down offense
The Bills converted 6-of-11 third down chances (54.5%).
Red zone offense
Four trips inside the Buccaneers 20-yard line and three touchdowns for the Bills offense (75%).
******************************************
ARROW DOWN
WR Keon Coleman
Coleman was late for a meeting once again, resulting in him being benched as a healthy scratch for the game. It’s the third time in his young career and the second this season he’s had this issue and been disciplined. He needs to be more professional and accountable to his team and teammates.
Run defense
The Bills got gashed in the run game once again. Tampa ran the ball 39 times for 202 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
Quarterback runs against
Once again QB scrambles and designed runs hurt the Bills, like they had earlier this season. Mayfield ran 5 times for 39 yards and a touchdown. He used his legs on several third runs for conversions and a fourth down run for a touchdown.
WR Khalil Shakir
Maybe Shakir was still impacted by his ankle and ribs injuries this seek, but he caught only one pass for -3 yards.
Run game
The Bills ran the ball 23 times for 97 yards. Just 4.2 yards per run. James Cook ran 16 times for just 48 yards. The Buccaneers defense did a god job to shut them down.
PR Mecole Hardman
Hardman started the game with an excellent kick return, but then put them ball on the ground on a punt, which cost the Bills excellent field position. Seven plays later, Tampa scored a touchdown to take the lead.
Turnovers
The Bills turned the ball over three times, including a pair of interceptions and the fumble on a punt.
Squandering excellent field position
The Bills started drives at their own 49, own 44, and Tampa 46, and titled just one field goal in those drives.
Third down and fourth down defense
Tampa converted 9-of-16 third down chances (56.3%) and also a fourth down for a touchdown.
