Bills' Ground Attack
Bills' running back James Cook ranks second in the NFL with 920 rushing yards and ranks fifth in the league with seven rushing touchdowns (tied with Josh Allen). Buffalo boasts the top-ranked ground attack in the league and Cook fuels the onslaught. He is versatile and effective at running jet sweeps, gaining yardage with power off inside zone and as an outlet receiver. Cook immediately accelerates in the hole and has elite speed to bounce runs outside, beating linebackers to the edge. His feet are always churning and Cook possesses rare start-stop capability. On Sunday, being disciplined in run fits will be vital to the Bucs' success.
"He is very dangerous because he can do a lot of things running and catching the football," said Todd Bowles on Cook. "If you are half a step late, he is going to take it to the house."
Run Game Strides Against New England
Bucs' running back Sean Tucker produced 53 rushing yards on nine carries (5.9 avg.) against the Patriots in Week 10. Tampa Bay utilized a dose of both gap and zone runs, with Tucker quickly getting downhill off cutbacks. Tucker became the first running back to eclipse 50 rushing yards against the Patriots in 2025. Coming into the Week 10 clash, the Patriots were the only team in the NFL to not allow a running back to surpass 50 yards on the ground against them. The Bucs were able to get push at the line against New England, and against the Bills, who rank 30th in the NFL against the run, will vie to continue the trend on the ground. For the Bucs in a cold, wet environment at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, being able to physically impose their will on the ground will likely dictate the outcome. In the red zone where the field condenses and it is harder to create separation on passing plays, the club has to run the ball effectively.
"You cannot scheme up a perfect run," noted Baker Mayfield. "Defenses get paid too, coaches get paid to know what you are doing. It is about everybody, not just the running back straining to finish. It's getting that last difference-making block, whether that is me carrying out my fake, receivers making sure they fit up on the right shoulder, o-line getting on their track and making sure they get the last touch, it's everybody…Where we want to go as an offense, the run game is included in that. We have to be detail-oriented in everything we do."
Best-on-Best Fosters Growth for Rookie Receiver
Rookie standout Emeka Egbuka led the Buccaneers with 115 receiving yards across six receptions and one touchdown catch against the Patriots. His 115 yards marked his third 100-yard performance of the 2025 docket, tied for the fourth-most by any player this season. His three games with 100-plus receiving yards are tied (with Ja'Marr Chase in 2021) for the third-most by a rookie wide receiver through the first 10 Weeks of a season since 2016, trailing only Puka Nacua (four in 2021) and Justin Jefferson (four in 2020). Egbuka has garnered attention around the NFL from defensive coordinators as he has emerged as the Bucs' No.1 receiver with injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan. The Ohio State product pairs outstanding ball-tracking skills and command of the catch point with subtle variations in his route-running at the stem that leave defenders reeling. Teams have begun rolling safeties to his side of the field to try and prevent the big play over the top and Egbuka welcomes the challenge – the mark of ascension.
"Been amazing for me to experience and learn during my rookie year," described Egbuka. "I think it has helped me to grow faster than I would have had I not seen that early on, so it has been really good for me. I welcome the challenge on the biggest stage in the National Football league that is kind of what you want. You want to be able to test yourself against the best of the best and go against the best DB, that is what you want as a competitor. It has been really fun for me."
