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