Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Quarterback Jameis Winston wasted no time putting the minds of Bucs fans at ease regarding his throwing shoulder, moving the ball down the field to start the game. The drive would result in a Patrick Murray 50-yard field goal to put the Bucs on the board first. The two teams would go on to trade field goals before Bills running back LeSean McCoy became the first to find the end zone in the second quarter on a three-yard touchdown run.All week the Buccaneers had cited a Buffalo defense who’s calling card was swarming the ball, insinuating turnovers could be a concern. The Bucs would indeed commit two turnovers in the first half: one coming on a fumble by Jameis Winston after being hit from behind and another on an interception. Luckily, no points would result from either turnover as Bills kicker Steven Hauschka missed on a 41-yard field goal attempt following the fumble and Buffalo mishandled the clock following the interception leading into halftime, leaving the first half score at 10-6. The Bills would strike first in the second half on a 22–yard touchdown catch by receiver Logan Thomas, increasing Buffalo’s lead to 17-6. But the Bucs would immediately answer with their first touchdown of the game, coming on a seven-yard pass from Winston to rookie tight end O.J. Howard, pulling the Bucs within four. Howard had a career game, scoring the first and second touchdowns of his NFL career, finishing with six catches for 98 yards. His second touchdown came in the fourth quarter to put the Bucs up 20-17.The Bucs defense stepped up, handing Bills their first lost fumble of the season. It was linebacker Lavonte David forcing his third fumble in two games. The Bucs would capitalize in a big way on a phenomenal diving 12-yard touchdown catch by wide receiver Mike Evans to which Buffalo would answer as each offense traded shots again to tie the game at 27 apiece. Tampa Bay would get the ball back with a little over two minutes to play, when Adam Humphries fumbled at the Bucs’ 33-yard line. Hauschka would convert a 30-yard field goal to preserve the Bills victory, as the Bucs fell in a close one for the third straight week.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers Fall to Bills in Week 7

Despite putting up the most points of any team in 2017 against a stingy Bills defense, the Bucs fall short in Buffalo.