After wins against both the Tennessee Titans and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the preseason docket, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came up short, 23-19, against the visiting Buffalo Bills on Saturday night. Given that the Buccaneers and Bills will play during the regular season in November, both teams relied on vanilla game plans with reserves in the clash. The Bucs contributed 241 yards of offense and both rookie receiver Tez Johnson and Tampa Bay's return game became the highlights at Raymond James Stadium.
Offensive/Special Teams Overview
Kyle Trask started the game for the Buccaneers – Teddy Bridgewater did not play due to an illness – and Connor Bazelak took over in the second half. Trask completed 13 of 17 attempts for 93 yards and a touchdown (108.2 passer rating). Bazelak followed suit completing 12 of 19 pass attempts for 107 yards and a touchdown (95.7 rating). The Bucs operated out of a simplified gameplan and relied heavily on playmakers generating yards after the catch, as opposed to shots downfield. Bazelak did find Kam Johnson in the fourth quarter for a 30-yard touchdown, trimming the deficit. Overall, Tez Johnson became the catalyst on offense, finishing with eight receptions on eight targets for 58 yards and a touchdown. The Oregon product showcased his shifty footwork and ability to evade tacklers. From his redirection skills and open-field burst to gaining three yards on what would have been a loss for most players without Johnson's phonebooth acumen, he helped set the tone.
The Bucs' return game became the highlight of the club's preseason finale. Tampa Bay averaged 38.0 yards on five kickoff returns and 13.5 yards on two. Josh Williams posted returns of both 39 and 42 yards, while Kam Johnson had a 57-yarder, each of which re-set the Buccaneers' preseason kick return mark dating back to 2017. It provided the Bucs with positive field position and momentum throughout the course of the ballgame.
Defensive Rundown
Tampa Bay's defense did not tally a single takeaway after recording a league-lead six interceptions in the first two preseason games. Safety Kaevon Merriweather and cornerback Tre Avery – the latter of which signed just two days prior to the game – tied for the team lead with six solo tackles (Avery seven combined). Merriweather snagged a quarterback hit and rookie defensive lineman Elijah Roberts had a sack. Roberts pushed the guard backwards with power and quickly shed, firing through the A-gap for a takedown of Shane Buechele. Additionally, undrafted rookie safety Shilo Sanders was ejected in the second quarter after an unnecessary roughness penalty.
"You can't throw punches in this league," said Bowles of the Sanders' penalty and subsequent ejection. "That's inexcusable. They're going to get you every time. Gotta grow from that."
