ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK -- The Buffalo Bills entered Thursday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needing a win to avenge last week's humbling loss to the cellar-dwelling Patriots while also keeping the pressure on the AFC East-leading Miami Dolphins. The Bills got that win, defeat the Buccaneers 24-18 to improve to 5-3 on the season.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers slipped to 3-4, one game behind the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons, as the early promise of Baker Mayfield and the offense gave way to deeper concerns. What you need know about each team's performance is as follows:
The Buffalo Bills
The tone for the Buffalo Bills offense was established on the first drive of the game.
The Bills swiftly marched down the field, using some no-huddle – something that has been saved for late in games in recent weeks – and allowed Josh Allen to use his legs for an eight-yard gain on the second play. The 10-play, 77-yard drive concluded with a 37-yard field goal by kicker Tyler Bass, but it also demonstrated a shift in what the Bills offense was capable of early on.
The Bills scored 17 points against the Buccaneers after scoring 10 points in the first halves of the previous three games. A number of offensive players contributed, and the offense strung together five drives of eight or more plays, commanding the game early – something that had been missing in prior weeks and became more of a concern late in the game. Allen made good use of his legs, rushing seven times for 42 yards and scoring once. The quarterback also had his best throwing game in weeks, completing 31 of 40 throws (77.5%) for 324 yards, two passing touchdowns, and an interception, his third 300-yard passing game of the season.
While this was a step in the right direction for the Bills' poor start, this is still a unit that needs to improve, with some of the troubles shifting to the second half. Three consecutive punts allowed the Buccaneers to come within striking distance, and the downfield passing game remains a work in progress. But it was enough against Tampa Bay, with stronger opponents to come.
- Describe The game In two Words: Greatly needed. It wasn't perfect or even close, with the defensive issue of allowing large drives late in games resurfacing, but after recent troubles against beatable opponents, all three units stood up at points and earned the victory.
- Promising Trend : Dalton Kincaid's fortunes are improving. With tight end Dawson Knox (wrist) injured and Quintin Morris (ankle) out, the rookie was the only active tight end, and he took advantage, scoring his first touchdown of the season in the second quarter on a 22-yard pass from Allen and making a great sideline catch in the third quarter. Kincaid didn't have as many receptions as he did previous week, but he is becoming more involved in the offense, playing a career-high 83.8% of snaps.
- Buy on a Breakout Performance : Gabe Davis and Khalil Shakir are wide receivers. This isn't a simple one because Davis has a history of huge games and hasn't yet regularly strung together these types of performances, but his participation in the offense vs. the Buccaneers was critical, and that success is something that this unit can build on. Davis set a career high with nine receptions on 12 targets for 87 yards and a touchdown on a lighter night for Stefon Diggs, while Shakir was involved from the start and had the finest game of his career with six catches for 92 yards. Four different players had at least five receptions and 50 receiving yards, tying the franchise record for most in a game (previous year).
- Pivotal Play : With five minutes left in the third quarter, Sam Martin punted. It wasn't the most flashy or game-changing play, but it was a nice example of the importance Martin and special teams had in Thursday's game, with Martin punting the ball 48 yards to the Buccaneers' three-yard line and the drive ending in a three-and-out. Martin had three consecutive punts inside the 10-yard line and two inside the five-yard line, setting up the Bills' defense.
- Next game : At Bengals ( 8:20 p.m,ET, nov 5)
