‘“It’s another opportunity, and it’s closer than Sunday,” quarterback Josh Allen said. “It gives us a chance to do what we love, and that’s to play this game. Our goal is to play it at a high level. We’re very aware we haven’t played up to our standard and our potential the last couple weeks, and we’re working to fix that.”’
Archives for October 2023
PlayAction column: Baker Mayfield’s revival, Josh Allen’s challenge, Iowa reunion
‘Through seven weeks this season, Mayfield has the second-lowest sack rate in the NFL, behind only Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes. He has thrown only four interceptions and is 12th in interception rate.’
No timetable yet for Bills’ Dawson Knox after surgery; Quintin Morris out against Tampa Bay
‘Rookie Dalton Kincaid is the only healthy tight end on the roster. The Bills could use fullback Reggie Gilliam at tight end, a role has occasionally played this year. Reserve offensive lineman David Edwards is expected to continue serving as the jumbo-personnel tight end.’
Scouting Report: James Cook has been a top-10 running back for Bills this season
‘Bills 26, Bucs 20.’
How we see it: News writers on what they expect for Bills vs. Buccaneers
‘On the other side of the ball, Mike Evans is a tough matchup for the Bills’ cornerbacks. Tampa is 29th in rushing yards, but the Bucs don’t give up on the run game because they want to play to the strength of their defense. They don’t want a shootout. Another slow start for the Bills’ offense could be in the works. Bills, 22-16.’
View from Vegas: With Bills struggling on offense, our bet is to take the Buccaneers with the points
‘Prediction: Bills by 6.’
Bills game and afternoon commute to impact traffic Thursday around Orchard Park
‘“Most people that work in and around that area really, really do try super hard to avoid the stadium as much as humanly possible and plan alternate routes,” Erie County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Jeremy R. Lehning said. “They’re very keenly aware of the fact that there’s an event at the stadium Thursday night, so they adapt to it.”’
Buffalo Bills vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers prediction and keys to Thursday Night Football game
‘Sal’s prediction: Bills 24, Buccaneers 14.’
What channel is the Bills game on? How to watch Buffalo Bills vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
‘As it stands right now, the Bills are clinging to the seventh and final playoff berth in the stacked AFC. Simply put, the Bills can’t afford to stub their toe as they did against the Patriots because if they find a way to lose this game and fall to 4-4, their playoff chances are going to take a precipitous dip.’
Bills should lean on Allen to lift offense
‘Now, three games later, nearing the midpoint of the season, Allen and company have a new problem at hand. They can’t seem to find offensive potency until it’s almost too late. Scoring 10 points combined in the last three first halves, the Bills have had to hope for their defense to keep them in games, or the offense to do just enough when it matters to salvage a win in cardiac-inducing fashion for fans. It barely worked out against the Giants and almost did against the Patriots, only to be undone by a late New England touchdown.’
Bills’ Josh Allen experimenting with ‘low positive’ mindset, but he may be overthinking it
‘Allen said he’s been thinking about a switch to “low positive” for a while but a talk with somebody outside the organization nudged him into adopting the mindful approach. Whether it’s been working is a bit of a mixed bag.’
How to watch Buffalo Bills vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Thursday Night Football live stream on Prime Video
‘Bills vs. Buccaneers Thursday Night Football will air exclusively on Prime Video (free trial), except in those teams’ markets, where it will be simulcast on WTVT (FOX/13) in Tampa and WKBW (ABC/7) in Buffalo.’
Five Takes: Bills hoping an energized Allen can spark a rebound win over Buccaneers; Buffalo must start fast, figure things out defensively in Week 8
‘Several players discussed the likelihood of the Bills employing a simpler game plan this week against the Buccaneers out of necessity, with the team being provided a short week to prepare for the primetime matchup. In addition, a few of those players were asked about the chances of Buffalo developing a more up-tempo style that may allow them to get off to hotter starts early in games, a goal the Bills’ offense has been unable to achieve over the past several weeks.’
Bills defense searches to patch holes as injuries challenge ‘next-man-up’ mentality
‘An injury to one of those players — perhaps two — would be reasonable to overcome, but all three of them are daunting. Mix in injuries to starters Christian Benford, Dane Jackson, Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau that have cost each of them a game over the last three weeks and the toll has been evident on the defensive production.’
Four keys that will determine the outcome of Bills’ Thursday night tilt vs. Buccaneers
‘The Bills have been outscored 30-10 in the first half over the last three weeks, only to turn it on during the second half to win or come close. At some point a slow start is going to result in an ugly blowout. And while a 4-4 record isn’t typically when changes are made to coaching staffs, if the Bills suffer another slow start and lose, it could happen.’