A career day from OJ Howard wasn’t enough. A beautiful catch from Mike Evans to take the lead wasn’t enough. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers found another way to lose on the road Sunday. Tampa Bay scored 14 unanswered points to take the a 27-20 lead late in the 4th quarter, but they couldn’t hold it. LeSean McCoy’s touchdown just 46 seconds later would tie it up. Adam Humphries fumbled on the 1st play of the ensuing Tampa Bay drive to give the Bills the ball back. Buffalo was able to milk the clock and kick a 30-yard field goal with 14 seconds left for the victory. Howard ended the day with 6 catches for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns and Jameis Winston was 32 of 44 passing for 382 yards, 3 touchdowns, and just one interception. With the loss Tampa Bay moves to 2-4 while Buffalo improved to 4-2.
After the slow starts the Bucs had had on the road this season they would take anything they could get on the opening drive. Tampa Bay moved the ball well, but 2 penalties short circuited the drive. Tampa Bay was still in the range of Patrick Murray and he hit a 50-yard field goal for the early 3-0 lead. Buffalo’s 1st drive looked very similar to Tampa Bay. Big plays from Tyrod Taylor’s arm and legs had the Bills in the Tampa Bay redzone, but their drive stalled and they had to settle for 3 points as well. Tampa Bay’s 2nd drive was much of the same. The Buccaneers went on an 11-play 68-yard drive, but after Jameis Winston was incomplete looking for Cam Brate in the endzone, Murray’s 25-yard field goal would have to do.
Buffalo’s 1st drive of the 2nd quarter would feature the 1st touchdown of the game. The 12-play 78-yard drive was capped by LeSean McCoy’s 1st touchdown of the season. The Bucs offense wouldn’t have the same success in the rest of the 2nd quarter. The Bucs turned the ball over twice, once when Winston was strip-sacked. The 2nd turnover came when Winston was intercepted trying to force the ball to Brate in the final minute of the half. Tampa Bay had a bit of luck on their side though. Thanks to a missed field goal and horrible clock management down the stretch, the 10-6 score would be the same heading to the locker room.
Buffalo got the ball to start the 2nd half and redeemed themselves for what happened at the end of the 1st. Taylor found fellow Virginia Tech quarterback, Logan Thomas, for a 22-yard touchdown to give the Bills a 2-score lead. Tampa Bay had an answer. The Bucs went right down the field in 7 plays and Winston found OJ Howard for the 1st Buccaneer touchdown of the game.
That 17-13 score would be what the scoreboard read to start the final quarter. Buffalo was able to add onto their lead on their 1st drive of the frame. Stephen Hauschka rebounded from missing an earlier kick by making a 52-yard field goal to make it a 7-point game. Jameis Winston got very lucky on the next drive when his overthrown ball intended for Mike Evans was dropped instead of being intercepted. That play would be huge as Winston connected with OJ Howard for his 2nd touchdown of the game. Murray’s extra point was good to tie the game at 20. The Buccaneer defense came up huge on the ensuing Buffalo series. Lavonte David stripped McCoy and recovered the fumble to get his offense the ball back. That turnover would lead to the first Tampa Bay lead of the half. Mike Evans showed impeccable footwork as he stayed in bounds on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Winston to put the Bucs in front, 27-20. Buffalo would answer right back. Taylor found Deonte Thompson on a long pass. An unnecessary roughness penalty put the Bills even more in business. McCoy ran it in from 7 yards out and the game was back tied just 46 seconds after the Evans touchdown. Things went from bad to worse for Tampa Bay after that. Adam Humphries fumbled on the 1st play of the Bucs’ drive to give Buffalo the Bills the ball right back. That fumble would spell doom for Tampa Bay. Buffalo was able to milk the clock and Hauschka was good from 30 yards out to hand the Bucs their 3rd straight loss.
Tampa Bay will return to the friendly confines of Raymond James Stadium next week. The Bucs will begin divisional play at home against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. Kickoff will be at 1 pm. Coverage on WDAE begins at 11 am with Countdown To Kickoff with TKras and Michael Clayton. The game can be heard on our sister station, 97.9 FM 98 Rock.