Buffalo secured a 44-32 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, improving their season record to 7-3. The win also maintained the Bills’ perfect home record against Tampa Bay, now standing at 4-0.
The game featured several lead changes before Buffalo pulled away in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Josh Allen played a key role, accounting for multiple passing and rushing touchdowns. “Josh Allen becomes only player in NFL history with multiple games where he has three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns.” He also tied Cam Newton for the most regular-season rushing scores by a quarterback with 75 and became the fifth starting quarterback to reach 90 wins in his first eight seasons.
Late in the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield tried to rally his team after a roughing the passer penalty. However, Buffalo defensive lineman DaQuan Jones sacked Mayfield and forced a fumble that linebacker Dorian Williams recovered with less than two minutes left. Although Buffalo had to punt after this turnover, time ran out for Tampa Bay to close the gap.
Safety Cole Bishop intercepted Mayfield early in the third quarter, setting up a touchdown pass from Allen to running back James Cook III. This play gave Buffalo its seventh lead change of the day and momentum that continued through the rest of the game.
Cook contributed significantly as both rusher and receiver, helping set up Allen’s third rushing touchdown late in the game. Ty Johnson added another score just before halftime on a 52-yard catch-and-run.
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman made his debut for Buffalo, returning a kickoff 61 yards deep into Buccaneers territory during his first appearance. Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers each caught long touchdown passes from Allen.
Buffalo’s defense stopped several red-zone attempts by Tampa Bay and limited them to field goals on key drives. The teams traded long scoring plays throughout, including matching 43-yard touchdowns in the second quarter.
The win marked head coach Sean McDermott’s 100th career victory between regular season and postseason play, making him just the sixth coach to achieve this milestone within nine seasons. “Sean McDermott reaches 100 career wins between regular and postseason and is the sixth coach to do so in his first nine seasons.”
The Bills have now won all seven home games against NFC opponents since 2023 and have scored at least 28 points in each of their seven victories this season.
Buffalo will face Houston next on Thursday night.
