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Buffalo Bills: Previewing the Week 14 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Aaron Tully

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Jordan Poyer #21 of the Buffalo Bills breaks up a pass intended for Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Era Field on October 22, 2017 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Tampa Bay 30-27. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Jordan Poyer #21 of the Buffalo Bills breaks up a pass intended for Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Era Field on October 22, 2017 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Tampa Bay 30-27. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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In Week 13, the Buffalo Bills lost a disheartening 14-10 slugfest to the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. This week, the Bills will head down to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers in an important matchup.

Buffalo Bills All-Time Record vs Buccaneers

The Buffalo Bills are 4-7 all-time against the Buccaneers. The Bills and Bucs have traded wins in their last four matchups, taking two games apiece, with the Bills having the most recent win. The average margin between these two teams in their four meetings since 2005 is 5.25 points in favor of Tampa Bay.

Last Meeting

The Buffalo Bills and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last met in Week 7 of the 2017 season. The Bills jumped out to a 17-6 lead before the Bucs scored 21 of the next 24 points to take a 27-20 lead with four minutes and change to go. Buffalo tied the game just 46 seconds later, before driving down the field again to set Stephen Hauchska up for the game-winning 30-yard field goal. The Bills won 30-27 and improved to 4-2.

Last Week’s Result

In Week 13, the Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 30-17 in a game that was competitive for a while. Tom Brady had a good day, completing 38 of 51 passes for 368 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. Brady has thrown an interception in each of his last five games, but that hasn’t seemed to matter to the Buccaneers, who have won three of those five.

Season Numbers

Leonard Fournette has been a menace for Tampa out of the backfield so far this season. Fournette has accumulated 1,067 scrimmage yards, with nine total touchdowns and 58 receptions. Chris Godwin has perhaps been Tampa’s most consistent weapon, catching 82 passes for 949 yards and five scores. Across from him, Mike Evans has caught ten touchdowns, and Rob Gronkowski has caught six.

Defensively, the Buccaneers have been average so far this season. They are 16th in points allowed, tenth in total yards allowed, 20th in passing yards allowed, and second in rushing yards allowed. Tampa has been excellent against the run so far this season, which means the Bills will need to heavily rely on the passing game in this matchup.

Final Thoughts

The Buffalo Bills are in trouble; big trouble. They now sit at 7-5 and in the seventh seed in a jumbled but competitive AFC Wild Card scene. The Bills still have games against a great Tampa Bay team and the AFC’s top-seeded New England Patriots left on the schedule.

Buffalo have been beating themselves all season, and Tampa Bay is a team that will certainly make them pay for it if they are mistake-prone in this game. This game should be treated as a must-win by both Bills Mafia, and the team itself.

Must Read. Bills don't move much in power rankings after loss. light

This team is running out of time to generate momentum, and if they cannot find a way to win in Tampa against one of the NFL’s best teams, the wheels may begin to fall off the wagon.

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