WGR

‘Each team struggled out of the gate, with both the Panthers and the Bills going three-and-out on their opening drives. When the Panthers got the ball back for the 2nd time, they were able to drive deep into Bills territory, but were stopped with a turnover on downs at the Buffalo 24-yard-line. The Panthers had to go for it as they were without their kicker, Zane Gonzalez, who suffered a quad injury in the pregame warmup.’

‘The Bills didn’t give up the big TD run as we’ve seen several times this season, but they still gave up four runs of at least 10 yards, two that went for at least 20 yards, 151 total yards on the ground and 5.2 yards per carry.’

‘The Bills had led the league in takeaways just a few weeks ago, but have only forced two takeaways on defense over their last four games (they also have one special teams takeaway). They now sit tied for third with 26 overall. The Panthers have turned the ball over 23 times, fourth most in the NFL, including 17 interceptions thrown, second most in the league. The Bills have to get back to taking the ball away and setting their offense up with short fields. Opportunities will be there.’

‘As for injuries, McDermott says that wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders will not play this week due to a knee injury, while defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (foot) and special teamer Taiwan Jones (knee) are questionable.’

‘Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was listed as “limited” for a second-straight day of practice on Thursday, as he deals with a foot injury suffered in the fourth quarter of the team’s 33-27 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.’

‘”Hopefully, this donation is a small step in the greater fight of fighting blindness and getting those with visual impairment the help they need so something like this never happens again,” Schinabeck said.’

‘The team opted to hold a walkthrough practice on Wednesday, as opposed to their usual full session. McDermott said that was due to the extra snaps players played during the overtime game in the heat in Tampa Bay, as well as the longer-than-usual trip back.’

‘McDermott added they will see how Allen’s foot responds to treatment throughout the week before making any determinations and his playing status next Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.’

‘Dodson joins fellow linebacker AJ Klein on the Covid list. Klein was placed there a week ago, just before the Bills faced the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football and has missed the last two games.’

‘Despite starting deep in their own territory, Brady and the Buccaneers were able to muster a six play, 94-yard touchdown drive to strike a dagger in the Bills comeback hopes. Brady found wide receiver Breshad Perriman on a crossing route around midfield, Perriman evaded Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and ran in for the game-winning touchdown. Buccaneers 33, Bills 27.’

‘The Bills trailed 10-0 in the second quarter and faced a fourth and goal at the Bucs three yard line. McDermott opted for a field goal. You might have had flashbacks to the AFC Championship game at that moment. In a first half where the defense was getting picked apart by the possible league MVP Tom Brady, the Bills head coach didn’t think a touchdown would be more important. Tampa has the number one scoring offense and averages more than 30 points a game yet McDermott felt three points would be enough. I’m not sure why he forgot you need touchdowns to beat the explosive offenses and not field goals.’

‘The Bills finished the game a putrid 2-of-13 on third down for just 15.4%. They were 0-for-5 in the first half on third down, where they not only couldn’t score, but had a lot of trouble sustaining drives.’

‘The addition of Feliciano means the Bills could have all five of their starting offensive linemen back playing in their regular positions on Sunday, including left tackle Dion Dawkins, right guard Daryl Williams, center Mitch Morse, and right tackle Spencer Brown.’

‘The Buccaneers defense is the second-best in the league at stopping the run, giving up just 84.3 yards per game, and eighth-best at 4.06 per play. The Bills have struggled to run the ball lately, and are ranked 14th in the NFL in yards per game overall. So it will be tough to do that in this one. However, Tampa has given up over 248 yards passing a game, as well as a 68.2% completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks, seventh-most in the NFL. The Bills have thrown for over 259 yards a game and should look to do what they do best against a Tampa defense that can be susceptible to it – throw the football, and keep throwing it.’

‘Lotulelei, who just returned to game action last week after missing three games while on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, will be out with a toe injury. Sweeney is dealing with a hip injury.’