RECAP: Bills 30, Buccaneers 27
Coming off of two big wins against Denver and Atlanta in Weeks 3 and 4, the Bills took a step back in Week 5, losing to Cincinnati. Well-rested after the team's Week 6 bye, Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was one that the Bills needed to win if they wanted to show that they were serious candidates to end the playoff drought.
It was a nail-biter, but they got the job done.
A head-scratching storyline coming into Sunday's game was that LeSean McCoy had not scored a touchdown through five games. It was somewhat shocking, considering that McCoy is the most crucial part of the Bills' offensive success. In a prime matchup against the Bucs' 31st ranked defense, McCoy shined, scoring two red zone touchdowns, including the game-tying touchdown with 2:28 remaining in the game. Shady bounced back in a big way for this team.
We know what Tyrod Taylor is at this point. He's inconsistent, but at times makes great throws when needed and at times makes plays that make you say "wow." He is known for making plays with his legs, so it was surprising to see him only rush for three yards in Week 5 at Cincinnati. He went back to his rushing ways yesterday, rushing six times for 53 yards. He also added 268 passing yards and a passing touchdown. It was one of those days that makes you wonder how good Taylor can be when he has a full arsenal of weapons.
At first glance, the cupboard seems bare when it comes to weapons for Tyrod. Sammy Watkins, gone. Robert Woods, gone as well. Jordan Matthews, banged up. Charles Clay, out for a few more weeks. That leaves struggling rookie Zay Jones, second-and-third string tight ends Nick O'Leary and Logan Thomas, a banged up Jordan Matthews, Andre Holmes, and recent signee and former Bill, Deonte Thompson as Tyrod's only weapons. They came in and performed well, as O'Leary had two big catches for 53 yards. Logan Thomas caught a 22-yard touchdown pass, and Deonte Thompson came out of nowhere for a 100-plus yard receiving game. Coach McDermott preaches a next man up approach, and those players stepped up yesterday.
The Bills defense has been spectacular to this point of the season, ranking 2nd overall in DVOA. They certainly struggled yesterday, allowing the Buccaneers to pass for 384 yards and three touchdowns, including one where Bucs' Tight End O.J Howard was left as wide-open as a player can be in the end zone for a 33 yards.
However, good teams, even when struggling, find ways to make big plays and win. That was the case late in the game, when the Bucs had a chance to go down the field and win the game. Instead, with 2:20 left in the 4th quarter, budding rookie cornerback Tre'Davious White punched the ball out of Bucs' Wide Receiver Adam Humphries' hands at the Bucs' 33 yard line, setting up Stephen Hauschka's 30-yard game-winning field goal with 14 seconds left in the game.
The Bills have been in positions like these during the drought, games where they needed to win to show that they were real contenders for a playoff spot, and have had letdowns. This game was different. Even when the defense didn't perform well, the offense stepped up and the defense made a big play to seize the win. There's something different about these Bills.
The Bills play the Oakland Raiders next on Sunday, 1:00 PM, at home.
