The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the Buffalo Bills 44-32 in a high-scoring shootout at Highmark Stadium. The Bucs finished with 367 total yards of offense and Baker Mayfield completed 16 of 28 attempts for 173 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Sean Tucker powered the Bucs' ground game, accumulating 106 yards on the ground and two touchdowns for 5.6 yards a tote.
The Bucs opening offensive possession ended in a punt but the defense responded. SirVocea Dennis and Yaya Diaby brought pressure and Jacob Parrish intercepted Josh Allen at the Buffalo 10-yard line and returned it three yards, setting the offense up at the seven but the Bucs were unable to cash in with points. Chase McLaughlin drilled a 23-yard field goal to give Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead.
Mecole Hardman Jr. had a 60-yard return off the kick to the Tampa Bay 36-yard line and the Bills capitalized off the positive field position with a score. Josh Allen capped off the 10-play, 36-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run off a quarterback sneak out of a jumbo formation, providing the Bills with a 7-3 lead. Early in the second quarter, Tampa Bay regained the lead as Baker Mayfield finished an 11-play, 69-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run off a zone read. He utilized his legs to give the Bucs a 10-7 lead. The Bills answered with a score of their own, as Allen hit Tyrell Shavers on a 43-yard touchdown. The Bucs rushed three, Allen rolled out of the pocket and hit Shavers off the scramble drill for the touchdown.
With just over five minutes to play in the second quarter, the Bucs struck again. Tristan Wirfs and Michael Jordan pulled across the formation to pave the way for Sean Tucker to bounce to the edge on a 43-yard touchdown run, giving Tampa Bay a 17-14 lead off the six-play, 66-yard scoring drive. On the Bills' ensuing drive, Buffalo went for it on fourth-and-two and SirVocea Dennis intercepted Allen after Tykee Smith deflected the pass at the Tampa Bay 32-yard line, putting Mayfield back on the field. Just before the half, the Bills scored with a 52-yard score by Ty Johnson on a catch and run. Buffalo's receivers blocked on the edge to spring Johnson for the score down the left sideline. Before time expired in the second quarter, a 24-yard gain for Shepard and a 10-yard gain for Egbuka put the Bucs in field goal range. Chase McLaughlin's initial 29-yard field goal was blocked, however, a defensive holding penalty on the Bills led to a re-kick. McLaughlin drilled the 24-yarder, making it a 21-20 game at the half. The Bucs entered halftime with 231 yards of offense and 136 yards on the ground, including a 7.9 average per tote for Sean Tucker.
Following Ryan Dixon's punt, Josh Hayes forced the ball out of Hardman's hands and Ryan Miller recovered on special teams at the Buffalo 43. Sean Tucker became the catalyst on the subsequent drive, moving the chains with a 14-yard run spurred by a Payne Durham wham block. He capped off the drive with a six-yard touchdown run around the right end with Tristan Wirfs out in front. The club's two-point attempt was unsuccessful, making it 26-21. On the following drive, the Bills were unable to cash in off a Ray Davis 44-yard return to the Tampa Bay 46-yard line with seven. The drive culminated in a Matt Prater 39-yard kick, giving the Bucs a two-point lead, 26-24.
On the ensuing drive for Tampa Bay, Cole Bishop picked off Mayfield at the 38 and returned it 13 yards to the Tampa Bay 25-yard line. The Bills responded with an Allen connection to James Cook for a 25-yard score, providing a 31-26 cushion for the home team.
The Bucs got on the board early in the fourth quarter as Mayfield connected with Tucker on a wheel route for a 28-yard touchdown. The two-point attempt failed, giving the Bucs a one-point lead off the nine-play drive, 32-31. The Bills responded with a touchdown of their own, as Allen ran it in from five yards out around the right tackle, giving the Bills a 37-32 lead after the two-point attempt failed. Buffalo scored again on their next drive, as Allen followed the center from nine yards out for his third rushing touchdown of the day and sixth overall, giving the Bills a 44-32 lead. On the Bucs' final drive, DaQuan Jones sacked Mayfield and knocked the ball out. Dorian Williams recovered at the Buffalo 39-yard line, icing the game.
TOP PERFORMERS 🏈
Buccaneers:
- Passing: QB Baker Mayfield: 16/28 for 173 yards - 1 TD & 1 INT
- Rushing: RB Sean Tucker: 19 rushes for 106 yards - 2 TDs
- Receiving: WR Sterling Shepard: 4 catches for 54 yards
- Defense: CB Jacob Parrish: 3 total tackles, 1 INT
Bills:
- Passing: QB Josh Allen: 19/30 for 317 yards - 3 TDs & 2 INTs
- Rushing: QB Josh Allen: 6 rushes for 40 yards - 3 TDs
- Receiving: WR Tyrell Shavers: 4 catches for 90 yards 0 1 TD
- Defense: S Cole Bishop: 6 total tackles, 1 INT
