Three takeaways from Bills’ sloppy ‘TNF’ win over Buccaneers

Thursday was a step in the precise path, however one thing concerning the Payments offense does not appear proper, no less than at the beginning of video games. Whether or not that is an execution downside by the gamers or the failure of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, it is part of the Payments sport to regulate. 

As for the second half, the Payments scored on their opening drive however punted on their subsequent 4 possessions. So, consistency on that aspect of the ball is a rising concern heading into Week 9 towards the Cincinnati Bengals on “Sunday Night time Soccer.” 

The place was Mike Evans? 

Evans was almost invisible on Thursday evening, and whereas the Payments protection deserves a number of credit score for shutting down the four-time Professional Bowler, the Buccaneers additionally performed a job. 

Quarterback Baker Mayfield focused Evans solely 3 times by three quarters. By then, the Bucs had been already down 24-10. Evans caught three of six passes for 39 yards and a rating. Nonetheless, he had just one catch for seven yards by the beginning of the fourth quarter. By the point Evans was concerned, the outcome was all however determined with solely 2:44 remaining on the clock. 

Coming into Week 8, Evans averaged 8.2 targets per sport, so seeing him be such a nonfactor for a lot of the sport was shocking, particularly for the reason that Bucs wrestle to attain factors. Solely the New England Patriots (101), Cincinnati Bengals (100) and New York Giants (85) had scored fewer than Tampa coming into Thursday. 

Even towards a tricky Payments protection, making Evans a focus appeared like a sound technique. Though, the Buccaneers clearly disagreed. 

Lack of self-discipline on protection almost value Payments 

Issues had been a lot nearer than they appeared in a sport that felt just like the Payments had been up by 30 for many of it. So shut, in actual fact, that sloppy play down the stretch by the Payments protection almost opened the door for an unbelievable come-from-behind upset by the Bucs. 

Tampa scored with roughly two minutes to go, slicing the Payments’ two-score lead right down to 24-18. Through the 17-play, 92-yard drive, two defensive penalties by Buffalo on fourth down stored the Buccaneers alive, in the end resulting in Evans’ solely related contact of the evening and a profitable two-point conversion. 

With 21 seconds left, the Buccaneers had one final probability for a miracle, which nearly got here to fruition. On the sport’s last play, Mayfield heaved a Hail Mary deep towards the top zone, and if wideout Chris Godwin had turned his head a second earlier, we is perhaps discussing probably the most outstanding last-second victories ever. 

The Payments survived, however towards extra harmful opponents, they may not be so fortunate.