Tampa, FloridaThe Buffalo Bills defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-19 on Saturday night thanks to a pass from Shane Buechele that went for 278 yards and one touchdown.
Josh Allen, the reigning NFL MVP, finished his first preseason without playing a game for the Bills (1-2).
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For the first time in his career, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield did not take any snaps during exhibition games.
With the exception of Buccaneers rookie safety Shilo Sanders, players fought for snaps, backup roles, and roster places for 60 minutes while both teams rested their starters.
In the second quarter, he punched Zach Davidson, which led to his dismissal. After playing for his father in Colorado and going undrafted, Sanders, the son of Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, is fighting for a spot on the team. Earlier in the game, he was also punished for interfering with a pass.
With Allen, Mitchell Trubisky, and Mike White ahead of him in Buffalo, Buechele, who was placed on injured reserve for the previous season, might have a chance to play for another team.
His score was 25 out of 30.
By completing 13 of 17 throws for 93 yards and one score, Kyle Trask demonstrated why he should be Tampa Bay’s backup quarterback. Trask, a 2021 second-round pick, has thrown 11 passes during his career’s regular season.
During the team’s TV broadcast, general manager Jason Licht stated that a decision has not yet been made over whether Trask or veteran Teddy Bridgewater will support Mayfield.
In the final two minutes of the second half, rookie Connor Bazelak went 12 of 19 for 107 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Greene, helping the Bucs (2-1) win.
The Bills took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter as Frank Gore Jr. ran one yard up the middle for a touchdown.
Gore ran for 32 yards and caught two passes for 29 yards.
After making a fantastic one-handed diving catch for an 11-yard score over cornerback Bryce Hall, who had tight coverage on the play, Tyrell Shavers, a wide receiver with the Bills, may have increased his chances of making the squad.
Tez Johnson, a wide receiver for the Buccaneers, hit the highlight reel with a spectacular flip after his 1-yard touchdown catch that reduced Buffalo’s advantage to 14–10.
Running it back
Five kickoff returns yielded an average of 38 yards for the Buccaneers. Josh Williams had three returns with a high of 42 yards and an average of 36 yards. One was returned 57 yards by Kameron Johnson.
On five kick returns, including a 38-yarder by Laviska Shenault, the Bills averaged 31.6 yards.
Bringing the boot
Punter Brad Robbins was ill, so Zach Davidson, a tight end for the Bills, punted. On his first attempt, Davidson, a punter at Central Missouri, hit a 62-yarder. It came back twenty-two yards. His final and second punt was returned for five yards after traveling forty-two yards.
Injuries
Bills: General manager Brandon Beane reports that CB Tre Davious White had a lower leg injury during practice this week. White’s return has not yet been given a timeline. Due to illness, wide receiver Curtis Samuel was unable to go.
Buccaneers: All-Pro left lineman Tristan Wirfs may make a comeback to the starting lineup ahead of wide out Chris Godwin, according to general manager Jason Licht during the team’s broadcast. Wirfs is anticipated to miss a few games following knee surgery he had during the offseason. After suffering a serious ankle injury in Week 7 of the previous season, Godwin is currently recuperating.
Up next
Bills: On Sunday Night Football on September 7, the team will host the Baltimore Ravens to begin the regular season.
Buccaneers: On September 7, travel to Atlanta to play the Falcons.
