Unleashed

Bills offense explodes as Buffalo beats Tampa Bay 44-32.

Any doubt that the offense no longer had it in them to go punch for punch with another team is now gone. The Buffalo Bills came out and showed the league what they were capable of on Sunday – capped by a six-touchdown performance by the leagues reigning MVP. All in a day’s work in an afternoon that saw ten lead changes in the game vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows though, as most games aren’t. The Bills run defense still surrendered over two hundred yards on the ground. It didn’t matter, though. Josh Allen was still able to put on the cape and carry the team to what was possibly their most impressive performance of the season.

The Good

Offensively, this is what the team looks like when they’re playing loose. This was the most wide open they’ve looked and the downfield passing game looked like a threat for the first time all season. The return of wide receiver Joshua Palmer and addition of wide receiver Gabe Davis proved to be the lift that the team needed. As well as a surprisingly good performance by Tyrell Shavers who nabbed four catches for 90 yards – capped off by a 43-yard bomb from Allen.

Josh Allen looked a lot like the old Josh Allen in this one. The game started out looking like we were going to get the same type of game that we’ve been getting all season – where everything looked way harder than it needed to, a couple of stupid turnovers, and the fan base wondering what happened to the guy that would run over three defenders just to get an extra yard. Then that guy showed back up – seemingly out of nowhere. Throwing down field with reckless abandon, running around like his hair was on fire, and overall looking like the superman that we’ve all grown accustomed to. Six touchdowns, three passing and three rushing, and two interceptions that included an ill-conceived two-handed chest pass. We got the full experience yesterday. Josh Allen giveth, and Josh Allen taketh away.

Defensively, what a game by Cole Bishop. Since the return of Jordan Poyer, Bishop has looked borderline like an all-pro. He made a hell of a play that resulted in an interception in the third quarter, and looks like he can be at least one of the long-term answers at the safety position. Terrell Bernard also had his best game of the season, piling up 11 tackles throughout this one.

The Bad

The defense wasn’t all good, however. This team cannot stop the run to save their lives. It was another game where they allowed over two hundred on the ground, and was only saved by the offenses ability to move the ball. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this team could be in trouble if they are unable to move the ball and score points on offense.

Turnovers also continues to be a huge issue. As previously noted, Josh threw two picks, one with that two handed chest pass, the other came on a 4th and 2 in-route that was probably the one time they should’ve tried to go to the flat. On top of that, there was a fumbled punt return by newest Buffalo Bill Mecole Hardman, as well as a fumble by running back Ty Johnson that he was able to recover.

My Take

They need to clean up the turnovers, and field some semblance of a defense. But, outside of that, this is what this team should look like. When you have an all-world quarterback, you should unleash him. You should allow him to take control of a game if he wants to and needs to. You should do so without worrying about things like balance or efficiency.

This looked like the team that was :13 away from getting past the Chiefs and heading to the conference championship in 2021. It looked like the team that could go out there and beat anybody. It looked like the team that could take this all the way to Delaware Ave for their Super Bowl parade. And this is exactly how the team should look going into Houston this week for Thursday Night Football.

Week 11 Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Buffalo Bills

Bills need a win to restore confidence with the fan base.

It’s week 11 and the 6-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming to town to face the 6-3 Buffalo Bills. It’s safe to say that the Bills need a win more than the Bucs here. But the injuries have been stacking up for both teams lately.

The Bucs are missing running back Bucky Irving and receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. The Bills, have a laundry list of questionable players at key positions. Shakir and Palmer are banged up at receiver, however both appear to be tracking to play. Tight End Dalton Kincaid is out with a hamstring, and nickel corners Taron Johnson and Cam Lewis are both questionable. There is still a path to victory for the Bills, though, who are overdue for a good game offensively.

Recycle the Panthers Gameplan

This is an area of the game that the Bills could exploit. Vita Vea is a game wrecker up the middle and could prevent the Bills from using that area of the field with their run game. That being said, they should be able to find room to the outside, much like they did in the game vs the Carolina Panthers. Look for them to use the toss game to try to get to the edge.

The passing game is a giant question mark for me in this game. Josh Allen hasn’t been right all season, and it seems it’s largely due to trust in his receivers to get open. Josh Palmer seems to be returning though, and the Bills could bring up practice squad receiver, and former Bills safety valve, Gabe Davis. These two additions, while I don’t think they move the needle enough, could instill some confidence back in the reigning MVP. And, if nothing else, it should finally put some fear into opposing defenses that the Bills could take a deep shot.

Overall, I think this is a game that the offense can get going. As much as we don’t enjoy hearing the phrase two-dimensional football, I think this is a game where that would benefit them tremendously.

Baiting Baker

Defensively, they’re facing one of the most aggressive quarterbacks in the league. Baker Mayfield is afraid of nothing and no one. He will try to push the ball down the field and beat you with his legs if you start drifting back. But he can be baited into mistakes. His aggressiveness can be used against him, and the Bills should try to force him into mistakes.

It won’t come easily, with the Bills secondary being extremely banged up - Christian Benford, Cam Lewis, and Taron Johnson are all questionable to play. But, rookie Defensive Tackle T.J. Sanders may be coming back from IR, and could provide added pressure up the middle.

Sanders could help with more than the pass game as well. The Bills have struggled to stop the run this year, and running back Rachaad White will be looking to make an impact early.

My Take

This game is tough for me. The Bills have struggled lately, and the Bucs are no joke. At one point, I thought they might be the best team in the NFC. But the Bills must be motivated to make a statement after a week of negative publicity following an embarrassing loss to the Miami Dolphins. If they can tighten up the run defense, get the passing game going, and get the running game to the outside, I think they can pull it off. However, I think we’ll know pretty early what kind of game we’re going to get.

Prediction

I think the Bills defense shows up and looks a little more polished than they have as of late. But I think we continue to see the offense struggle. Brady has been far too predictable, and I think the way to beat the Bills offense is well documented.

Buccaneers 24, Bills 21