Buffalo Rumblings
On Sunday afternoon at a windy Highmark Stadium, the Buffalo Bills bounced back from a disappointing Week 10 loss to the Miami Dolphins, relying on another Superman performance from quarterback Josh Allen to outlast the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 44-32.
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off with observations and analysis from Buffalo’s big victory over Tampa Bay as the Bills rebounded from a lackluster performance and kept pace with the New England Patriots in the AFC East.
Allen overcame two first-half interceptions—including a horrific INT on Buffalo’s second offensive play that gifted Tampa Bay an early 3-0 lead—finishing with three passing touchdowns and three rushing TDs to became the first player in the history of the NFL with more than one game with both three rushing and three passing TDs.
On a day where Tampa Bay’s defense bottled up James Cook the runner (only 48 yards on 16 carries), Allen and Buffalo’s passing attack showed they can still dial up the deep ball. Allen’s three TD passes covered at least 25 yards, with a nifty 43-yard strike down the sideline to Tyrell Shavers, a 52-yard TD pass to Ty Johnson on a wheel route, and a 25-yard dime to Cook to put the Bills ahead 31-26 following a Cole Bishop INT late in the third quarter.
Linked below: more on Allen’s record-setting day; exploring how Ray Davis and Mecole Hardman’s outstanding kickoff returns were able to set the Bills up with short fields all day long; wide receiver Gabe Davis picked up where he left off in his first game back with Buffalo; the Bills’ run defense was once again porous, surrendering 202 yards on the ground, including letting backup Sean Tucker run wild (19 carries for 106 yards and two TDs); Cole Bishop really is playing like Buffalo’s best defender; how Jordan Poyer stepped up and delivered a few big plays in a vintage performance; and more!
