Josh Allen and Bills get back on track in Thursday night win over Bucs

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills entered Thursday night’s battle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in need of a victory that would erase the sting of last week’s humiliating loss to the Patriots, who live in a cellar – and also to maintain pressure on the AFC. Miami Dolphins heading east. The Bills earned this victory by defeating the Bucs by a score of 24-18 to improve to 5-3 on the season.

The Buccaneers, meanwhile, fell to 3-4 and a complete game behind the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons, with Baker Mayfield’s early promise and offense giving way to deeper concerns. Here’s what you need to know about each team’s performance:

Buffalo Bills

The tone for what the Buffalo Bills offense wanted to accomplish was set on the first drive of the game.

The Bills quickly moved down the field, using a no-huddle mode — something that has been reserved for late in games in recent weeks — and allowing Josh Allen to use his legs on the second play with an eight-yard gain. The 10-play, 77-yard drive ended with a 37-yard field goal by kicker Tyler Bass, but it mostly showed a change in what the Bills offense could do early.

After scoring 10 total points in the first halves of the last three games, the Bills scored 17 against the Buccaneers. A variety of offensive players got involved, the offense put together five drives of eight or more plays, controlling the game early – something that was also consistently absent in recent weeks and became more of an issue late match. Allen used his legs effectively with seven carries for 42 yards, including a rushing touchdown. The quarterback also had his best passing performance in weeks, completing 31 of 40 passes (77.5%) for 324 yards, two passing touchdowns and an interception, only his third 300-yard passing game of the season.

While this is a step in the right direction for the Bills’ tendency to start slowly, this unit remains one that has work to do to resolve some issues carried over to the second half. Three straight punts put the Buccaneers within striking distance and the downfield passing game remains something to work on. But against Tampa Bay, with even tougher opponents to come, it was enough.

Describe the game in two words: Very necessary. It wasn’t perfect, or even close, with the defensive issue of giving up big drives late in games reappearing, but after recent struggles against beatable opponents, all three units stepped up at times and won the victory.

Promising trend: Things are looking up for Dalton Kincaid. With tight end Dawson Knox (wrist) placed on injured reserve earlier Thursday and Quintin Morris (ankle) out of the game, the rookie was the only active tight end, and he took advantage, notably scoring the team’s first touchdown. his career in the second. quarter on a 22-yard pass from Allen and a nice touchdown catch in the third quarter. Kincaid didn’t have as many receptions as last week, but he continues to become more involved in the offense, playing a career-high 83.8 percent of snaps.

Buy on exceptional performance: Wide receivers Gabe Davis and Khalil Shakir. It’s not easy because Davis has a history of big games and has yet to string together this type of performance consistently, but his involvement in the offense against the Buccaneers was essential and this success is something that this unit can build. disabled. Both players stepped up on a lighter night for Stefon Diggs, with Davis setting a career high with nine receptions on 12 targets for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Shakir was involved from the start and made the best game of his career with six catches for 92 yards. Four different players have recorded at least five receptions and 50 receiving yards, which is the most in a game in franchise history (the last in 2011).

Crucial game: Sam Martin’s punt with five minutes left in the third quarter. It may not be the flashiest or even decisive play, but it’s a good example of the role Martin and the special teams played in Thursday’s game, sending the ball 48 yards to the Buccaneers three-yard line, the drive resulting in a three-and-out. Martin had three consecutive punts inside the 10-yard line and two inside the five, setting up the Bills defense. –Alaina Getzenberg

Next game: at Bengals (8:20 p.m. ET, November 5)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

During the first quarter of the season, the Buccaneers squeaked by their opponents with meager offensive production thanks to a stifling defense adept at recovering the ball. But against better opponents – like the Bills on Thursday night – the defense simply hasn’t been able to carry the weight because the offense can’t move, resulting in a three-game slide.

The Bucs scored two offensive touchdowns but could not systematically extend drives. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales said earlier this week: “We should feel frustrated. We should feel like there’s more to offer us,” but they haven’t found it yet. Meanwhile, on defense, third down continues to be a major problem, with the Bucs allowing 7 of 13 conversions. Their league-leading red zone defense has also allowed two touchdowns.

Quarterback breakdown: Baker Mayfield completed 25 of 42 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Against one of the fiercest pass rushes Mayfield has seen all season, Mayfield was sacked three times, while running back Rachaad White was their leading receiver with six catches for 65 receiving yards. Until 2:44 left in the fourth quarter, Mayfield completed only two passes in five attempts to Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans, finding him a cross route for a 24-yard touchdown and punctuating a conversion two points as a tight end. Cade Otton. With Canales’ offense specifically designed to put the ball in the hands of their two best playmakers – Evans and Chris Godwin – they can’t afford to have Evans shut out most of the game.

Disturbing trend: Penalties. With an offense based on gradually moving the ball downfield rather than explosive plays and a high-risk, high-reward defense that takes a lot of chances, the Bucs can’t afford to rack up penalties. Right tackle Luke Goedeke committed three false starts, including one as the Bucs tried to come back in the fourth quarter. Later, a holding call on rookie guard Cody Mauch cleared a 42-yard run for Evans. It’s two weeks in a row that the Bucs have had double-digit penalties after averaging six per game in the first three weeks.

Promising trend: The Bucs’ latest rushing attack showed some signs of life, averaging 4.6 yards per carry: a Godwin fly got 14 yards, White averaged 4.3 yards per carry and a 15-yard run left guard Aaron Stinnie, who replaced injured Matt Feiler, and left tackle Tristan Wirfs. For the second week in a row, a Trey Palmer penalty erased a big point for White, with a 26-yard run negated by Palmer. And the Bucs could rarely turn to the ground game given that they spent almost the entire game trailing, including a 14-point deficit less than 5 minutes into the third quarter. –Jenna Laine

Next game: at the Texans (1 p.m. ET, November 5)