ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 26: Gabe Davis #13 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with teammate Dalton Kincaid #86 after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on October 26, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-18 on Thursday night football, putting them at 5-3 on the season and getting back on track.
The Good:
Josh Allen
Bills’ Josh Allen played a very good game last night finishing the night 31/40 for 324 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Allen took control of the game and fast with hurry up offense and getting the ball to the open receiver.
Allen also got involved in the run game very quickly at the start of the game finishing with 7 carries for 41 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Josh Allen runs it. Josh Allen scores it. 💨 @JoshAllenQB#TBvsBUF on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/E5pvHuys2o pic.twitter.com/tV2rIYmxsd
James Cook
James Cook didn’t have as productive of a week as he had last week against the New England Patriots where he was heavily involved in both the run and pass game but was still utilized this week when the Bills needed him.
Cook finished the game with 14 carries for 67 total yards. On average Cook rushed for 5 yards and his longest run of the day was 18 yards.
Khalil Shakir
Khalil Shakir finally had a week many Bills fans thought he would have at the start of the season finishing with just below one hundred yards receiving. Shakir finished the game with 6 receptions off 6 targets for 92 yards.
Shakir led the Bills in receiving yards and was a big reason Buffalo moved the ball as easily as they did.
Khalil Shakir already has two catches and a truck stick on the opening drive 🚛#TBvsBUF on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/E5pvHuys2o pic.twitter.com/nGVCfVPXSt
Gabe Davis
Gabe Davis had a good week against Tampa Bay being the Bills number two receiver in terms of yards. Davis finished with 9 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown.
Gabe Davis' 3rd catch of the drive is a TD 🔥 @gabedavis13_#TBvsBUF on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/E5pvHuys2o pic.twitter.com/sq7p1sUFHq
Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs didn’t get in the endzone this week but was there when the Bills needed him the most, finishing with 9 receptions for 70 yards.
Some real quarterbacking from Josh Allen on that 3rd & 5 to Stefon Diggs.
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 27, 2023
Uses his cadence and gives a “Ram Out” call, telling his OL to full slide to the right and out into the CB blitz. With Murray working opposite to the field.
Allen then calmly hits Diggs for the 1st down. pic.twitter.com/L7t6NS8kHw
Dalton Kincaid
Rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid has finally arrived and has now had two very good weeks in a row. Kincaid finished with 5 receptions on 7 targets for 65 yards and scored his first career NFL touchdown.
Kincaid was due for a big game heading into this week without tight end Dawson Knox and Kincaid surely delivered.
.@_DaltonKincaid's first career NFL touchdown‼️
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 27, 2023
📺: @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/uWLkh7fN8J
Terrel Bernard
On the defensive side of the ball, middle linebacker Terrel Bernard was flying around all night. Bernard led the team in tackles finishing with 8 total tackles, 6 solo tackles, and 2 passes defended.
Jordan Poyer
Safety Jordan Poyer came to play Thursday night against Tampa Bay. Poyer had 8 total tackles, 3 solo tackles and two passes defended. Poyer was playing fast and physical and almost came away with a pick.
Bills Top 5 Defensive Starters PFF Grades versus Buccaneers
— Built in Buffalo (@BuiltInBuffalo_) October 27, 2023
Jordan Poyer 89.4⁰Greg Rousseau 75.0⁰Tyrel Dodson 74.2⁰Terrel Bernard 72.0⁰Christian Benford 71.3#BillsMafia #BuiltInBuffalo pic.twitter.com/KRYuC6AJ3a
Taron Johnson
Taron Johnson was great at slot corner all night against the Buccaneers. Johnson had 6 total tackles, 4 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 QB hit.
Christian Benford
Christian Benford was large in the Bills efforts on Thursday night. Benford finished the night with 3 total tackles, 3 solo tackles, and 2 passes defended.
“His play is not just big for tonight. It’s big for the duration of who the Bills can be as a defense. He is showing what he can do.”
— Sidelines Villanova (@SSN_Nova) October 27, 2023
–@KirkHerbstreit on Christian Benford pic.twitter.com/QaYZBAqUdD
Sam Martin
Bills punter Sam Martin had a big impact on the outcome of the game Thursday night. Martin had 4 punts for 180 yards and 3 of them landed inside the 20. Obviously the Bills don’t want to punt the ball but when they were forced to Martin was a big help.
Pinpoint punt accuracy from Sam Martin 🎯#TBvsBUF on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2023
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/E5pvHuys2o pic.twitter.com/2joWYYyFWS
Tyler Bass
Bills kicker Tyler Bass got back on track this week coming off back to back weeks with missed field goals. Bass was 1/1 on field goals and 3/3 on extra points.
The Bad:
Penalties
The Bills penalties Thursday night was a big reason why the Buccaneers were still in the game all the way until the end. Buffalo committed 9 total penalties for 86 yards, two of which helped the Buccaneers stay on the field for a new set of downs.
Closing Out The Game
The Bills didn’t help themselves on Thursday night not scoring a single point in the fourth quarter which was evident from their defensive penalties.
