Location: Highmark Stadium
Final score: Bills 44 Buccaneers 32
Records: Bills (7-3), Buccaneers (6-4)
Next opponent: Bills at Texans Thursday, Nov. 20 at 8:15 p.m. EST
Buffalo defeated Tampa Bay on Sunday, 44-32, eventually ending the streak of lead changes and pulling away from the Buccaneers late in the fourth quarter.
Game Recap
In a last-ditch effort to pull his team out of a deficit, quarterback Baker Mayfield attempted to capitalize on the defensive roughing the passer penalty and get Tampa Bay into the end zone. On the newfound first-and-10, lineman DaQuan Jones rammed into Mayfield for the sack. While doing so, Jones forced a fumble and paved the way for linebacker Dorian Williams to recover the ball with less than two minutes left of the game.
Even though the Bills had to punt the ball away after the turnover, there wasn't enough time for the Buccaneers to climb out of a 12-point deficit.
In the third quarter, safety Cole Bishop flew toward his left to intercept Mayfield on third-and-six in Tampa Bay territory. The pass was intended for wide receiver Sterling Shepard, but was thrown out of his reach, but perfect for Bishop to extend and make the grab. The second-year safety returned to his feet and made the most of his interception, returning it for 13 yards to the Buccaneers' 25-yard-line.
Immediately after taking the field and getting the first snap off, quarterback Josh Allen got the ball out to running back James Cook III. Tampa Bay previously clogged up Cook's run game, but left him open as a receiver on that first down. He caught the ball and the celebrations from Bishop's interception carried over into Cook's touchdown. Buffalo reclaimed the lead - the seventh lead change of the day - 31-26.
Cook's reignited energy persisted through the remainder of the game. With four minutes ticking down in the fourth quarter, Allen handed the ball off to Cook for an eight-yard gain, followed by an 11-yard completion to wide receiver Gabe Davis. The quarterback found his righthand man again, completing a short pass to Cook. The running back took it all the way into Tampa Bay territory for a total 23-yard gain.
The late-game drive resulted in a nine-yard touchdown run from Allen. It was his third rushing score on Sunday. Buffalo took a 44-32 lead.
Running back Ty Johnson gave the Bills the lead at halftime in the back-and-forth battle at Highmark Stadium.
On third-and-five at Buffalo's 48-yard-line, Allen connected with Johnson on a short pass towards the left sideline. Johnson ran 52 yards along the left edge, speeding up after escaping a tackle with his sights set on the end zone.
The Bills took a 21-17 lead, leaving nearly 30 seconds left in the first half for Tampa Bay to take advantage of. While Mayfield and his Buccaneers drove down the field, they opted for a field goal try with less than 10 seconds remaining. The first attempt from kicker Chase McLaughlin was blocked, which would've given Buffalo a four-point lead at halftime. Tackle Alec Anderson was called for defensive holding, giving McLaughlin another try from five yards closer.
Buffalo went into the locker room with a one-point advantage over Tampa Bay.
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman made his Buffalo debut, after signing with the team earlier in Week 11.
On his first kick return of the afternoon, Hardman caught the ball at the four-yard-line and took advantage of a block to advance well into Tampa Bay territory. After making one man miss, linebacker Chris Braswell Jr. eventually took Hardman down at the Buccaneers' 35-yard-line for a 61-yard return.
On fourth-and-four three plays later, the offense remained on the field. Allen connected with another elevated wide receiver, Gabe Davis, to convert on the late down. Cornerback Zyon McCollum was on Davis' back the entire time, but the Bills wideout made the catch and kept the ball locked in his arm to give Buffalo more life.
Johnson almost lost a fumble on second-and-11 from Tampa Bay's 24-yard-line. Johnson landed on top of the ball to recover it, advancing the Bills nine yards closer to the end zone. Allen used his legs to convert on third-and-two on the following play then handed the ball off to Johnson. The running back squeezed his way through for another none-yard pickup.
The first attempt into the end zone from two yards out bounced off Davis' arms; Allen finished off the drive rushing it in himself. This gave the Bills a 7-3 lead after Tampa Bay opened scoring on Sunday.
Pushed back at his own five-yard-line, Allen couldn't escape the pressure coming in from Tampa Bay's defense. On his first attempt to move the offense forward and away from its own end zone, Allen tried to escape the Buccaneers and flicked the ball out.
He was nearly intercepted and was forced to make that decision again as linebacker SirVocea Dennis had Allen by his waist. He tried to pull the quarterback down in the end zone for a safety when Allen threw the ball out to any receiver who could grab it. Wide receiver Khalil Shakir was too far past the ball to get his hands on it, allowing cornerback Jacob Parrish to grab it and put Mayfield back on the field.
Buffalo's defense halted running back Sean Tucker on two rushing attempts from the Bills' seven-yard-line. After a gain of two, linebacker Deone Walker stopped Tucker at the line of scrimmage. Looking for the end zone on third-and-five, Mayfield targeted wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who was making his way to the back of the end zone. Egbuka threw one arm up to try and make the grab, but he couldn't bring it in. The Buccaneers were forced to settle for a field goal.
Buffalo and Tampa Bay had back-to-back 43-yard touchdowns in the second quarter.
On third down, Allen had the option to scramble and convert. As he got himself out of harm's way and weighed his options in the pass game, Allen found wide receiver Tyrell Shavers making his way toward the end zone and slowly gaining separation. Allen took his shot deep down the field and Shavers caught the ball for the Bills' second touchdown of the afternoon.
Following that drive, the Buccaneers responded.
Linebacker Terrel Bernard had a tackle for a loss of three on second down. On third-and-12, Mayfield targeted Shepard. He caught the 14-yard pass that advanced Tampa Bay to Buffalo's 43-yard-line. Mayfield then handed the ball to Tucker on the next play. The running back pivoted right and made his way along the right side all the way into the end zone, too quick for the Bills to dive forward and make a tackle.
Key Stats and Facts
- Bills improve 4-0 at home against Tampa Bay all-time.
- Josh Allen posts first career game with three or more pass touchdowns of 25-plus yards.
- Bills improve to 7-0 at home against NFC teams since 2023.
- Josh Allen has fourth career game with multiple passing touchdowns of 40 or more yards.
- Bills scored 28 or more points in all seven wins of 2025.
- Bills scored 30 or more points against last five games against NFC teams, including Sunday vs. Tampa Bay.
Scoring Plays
First Quarter
BUF 0, TB 3 – C.McLaughlin 23-yard field goal is GOOD.
BUF 7, TB 3 – J.Allen left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. M.Prater extra point is GOOD.
Second Quarter
BUF 7, TB 10 – B.Mayfield scrambles right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD.
BUF 14, TB 10 – J.Allen pass deep left to T.Shavers for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. M.Prater extra point is GOOD.
BUF 14, TB 17 – S.Tucker right tackle for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD.
BUF 21, TB 17 – J.Allen pass short left to Ty.Johnson for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. M.Prater extra point is GOOD.
BUF 21, TB 20 – C.McLaughlin 24-yard field goal is GOOD.
Third Quarter
BUF 21, TB 26 – S.Tucker right tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. B.Mayfield rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT FAILS.
BUF 24, TB 26 – M.Prater 39-yard field goal is GOOD.
BUF 31, TB 26 – J.Allen pass deep left to J.Cook for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. M.Prater extra point is GOOD.
Fourth Quarter
BUF 31, TB 32 – B.Mayfield pass short right to S.Tucker for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. B.Mayfield pass to S.Shepard is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS.
BUF 37, TB 32 – J.Allen right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. J.Allen pass to R.Gilliam is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS.
BUF 44, TB 32 – J.Allen right guard for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. M.Prater extra point is GOOD
FINAL
Milestone Watch
- Sean McDermott reaches 100 career wins between regular and postseason and is the sixth coach to do so in his first nine seasons.
- Josh Allen becomes only player in NFL history with multiple games where he has three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns.
- Josh Allen becomes the fifth starting quarterback with 90 wins between regular and postseason in his first eight seasons.
- Josh Allen ties Cam Newton with 75 for most rushing scores by a quarterback in NFL regular season history.
