Josh Allen delivered an impressive performance on Thursday Night Football, guiding the Buffalo Bills to a thrilling 24-18 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Josh Allen Shines
Josh Allen, the Bills’ star quarterback, remained undefeated on Thursday night games. He showcased his prowess by completing 78 percent of his passes, accumulating 324 passing yards, and scoring two touchdowns. Despite one interception, caused by a tipped pass, Allen’s overall performance was outstanding.
What set Allen apart was his versatility. In addition to his aerial achievements, he demonstrated his prowess on the ground, amassing 41 rushing yards and scoring a rushing touchdown on seven carries. His quick decision-making and agility allowed him to evade defenders and secure critical yardage.
Dalton Kincaid’s Breakout
With key tight ends Dawson Knox and Quintin Morris sidelined due to injuries, rookie Dalton Kincaid assumed the role of the primary tight end for the Bills. Kincaid made a remarkable impact, finishing the game with five receptions for 65 yards and his first career touchdown.
In a memorable play late in the second quarter, Josh Allen’s pass found Kincaid, who sprinted past his defender to reach the end zone. The 24-year-old celebrated his first professional touchdown by leaping into the stands, creating a lasting memory.
Strong Offensive Start
The Bills’ offense, which struggled in previous games’ first halves, showed remarkable improvement. They scored 17 points in the first half, setting a strong foundation for their victory. Kicker Tyler Bass, who had missed two field goal attempts in the previous game, delivered a 37-yard field goal, putting Buffalo in the lead early in the match. The Bills maintained their lead throughout the game.
Defense and Special Teams Shine
The Bills’ defense and special teams units played a pivotal role in containing the Buccaneers’ offense in the first half. Shaq Lawson’s crucial block of Chase McLaughlin’s field goal attempt kept Tampa Bay from scoring after entering Buffalo territory.
While the Bills’ offense struggled to find the end zone in the first quarter, they heated up in the second. Josh Allen seized the opportunity, rushing for a touchdown from the Tampa Bay 13-yard line. This marked his fifth rushing touchdown of the season.
As the Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield gained momentum, he connected with receiver Chris Godwin for a significant gain, setting up a 57-yard field goal by McLaughlin, granting Tampa Bay their first points of the game.
After Josh Allen’s interception, Mayfield swiftly threw a touchdown pass to Godwin, equalizing the game. However, Dalton Kincaid’s touchdown reception before halftime allowed Buffalo to reclaim the lead.
Later Stages and the Bills’ Victory
In the third quarter, Josh Allen continued to target Dalton Kincaid, achieving an 18-yard gain on the first offensive play. Allen then led a proficient nine-play drive, culminating in a touchdown pass to Gabe Davis, the final touchdown of the game.
The later stages of the game saw six consecutive punts as both teams grappled to build successful scoring drives. Bills punter Sam Martin played a crucial role, pinning three of his four punts inside the 10-yard line, with two downed within the 5-yard line. Despite an attempt by Cam Lewis to down the ball, the last punt resulted in a touchback.
Tampa Bay posed a threat late in the game, scoring a touchdown with a successful two-point conversion. Buffalo was forced to punt, and Mayfield attempted a Hail Mary pass from their own 45-yard line.
As the game ended, the ball landed in the Bills’ end zone amidst a cluster of defenders and receivers, securing Buffalo’s victory.
Key Stats and Facts
- With his three total touchdowns in this game, Josh Allen tied quarterback Dan Marino for the second-most touchdowns in a player’s first six seasons with 199, surpassed only by Patrick Mahomes (204).
- Allen’s rushing touchdown marked his 43rd career rushing touchdown, tying him with Steve Young for the second-most by an NFL quarterback, with Cam Newton leading all quarterbacks with 75.
- Josh Allen’s unbeaten record on Thursday games continued, while Baker Mayfield, previously undefeated on Thursday Night Football, experienced a loss with the Buccaneers.
- Rookie Dalton Kincaid played a significant role in the Bills’ passing game, achieving 65 yards and maintaining the highest catch rate among rookies this season.
- Ed Oliver’s second-quarter sack tied his personal season-high, which he set in 2019. After missing the previous week due to a toe injury, he accounted for two total tackles.
- Josh Allen has thrown 18 passing touchdowns on scrambles outside the tackle box to the right side of the formation since 2020, the most in the NFL during that period.
- Gabe Davis set a career-high with nine receptions, surpassing his previous high of six.
In Summary
The Buffalo Bills’ exciting 24-18 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was characterized by Josh Allen’s spectacular performance, Dalton Kincaid’s breakout, and a strong start for the Bills’ offense. The defense and special teams units played pivotal roles, contributing to the Bills’ impressive win. With this victory, the Bills improved to a 5-3 record for the season, setting the stage for an upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday.
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