The Buffalo Bills improved their record to 7-3 after a 44-32 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) in Week 11 at Highmark Stadium.
Quarterback Josh Allen had a standout performance, scoring six touchdowns—three passing and three rushing. Head coach Sean McDermott described Allen’s determination by saying, “He will not be denied.” Despite two early interceptions, Allen led the team to scoring drives on seven of eight possessions before the end of the fourth quarter.
Allen reflected on his performance: “After the first quarter, it was really fun. Early on I was just probably riding the wave a little too much. And just taking it one play at a time, understanding what Joe’s calling and again, just trying to execute the play being called.”
The Bills made changes to their wide receiver lineup, including using Gabe Davis from the practice squad and Mecole Hardman Jr., as well as returning Joshua Palmer after an absence. Keon Coleman was inactive due to missing a team meeting.
Allen explained how he adjusted during the game: “I got into a rhythm and felt like I was seeing what they were doing. Getting the ball out a little bit quicker and putting it into some space. And guys were making some plays.”
He threw for 134 yards and two touchdowns on passes longer than 15 yards, with several completions over 20 yards. One touchdown came on a swing pass to running back Ty Johnson for a 52-yard score—the longest play of Johnson’s career.
“When you bring a lot of different blitzes from all over the field, you don’t need to attack downfield as much as you think as you saw with Ty Johnson,” Allen said. “It’s a swing route that he takes 50 yards. That’s the opportunity you have when teams blitz like that. So all we’re trying to do is get them out of doing that.”
Running backs Cook and Johnson contributed significantly in receiving, combining for 127 yards on five catches—the most by Bills running backs this season.
“Ty Johnson down the sideline, just out-running people. And then Jimbo making a heckuva catch for that touchdown later too,” Allen said.
The Bills set season highs with eight pass plays gaining at least 20 yards and scored their highest point total of the year. Allen also generated his highest expected points added per drop back this season since Week 15 last year.
Buffalo trailed in the second half but responded with four consecutive scoring drives led by Allen, who became the first NFL player with multiple games featuring three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns.
“That’s the type of competitor, type of person, type of teammate that he is,” McDermott said about Allen.
With key receivers unavailable, other players stepped up. Tyrell Shavers led with 90 receiving yards and caught a diving 43-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
“It’s amazing, it’s what you work for,” Shavers said. “I knew the opportunities would come, it’s just a matter of when.”
Allen commented on Shavers’ contribution: “We checked out into a zone concept…and then Shaves did a fantastic job of just turning up the sideline and making a heck of a catch.”
Shavers joined Buffalo as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and made his first active roster this season.
“It’s so freaking cool,” Allen said about Shavers’ progress. “The guy just continues to work extremely hard. He’s never once complained. Working from the practice squad to now making legit plays in the NFL.”
Shavers praised Allen’s resilience: “That’s a part of being great, is to overcome your mistakes…it’s how you respond to it that makes you better…”
On defense, veteran DaQuan Jones forced a fumble from Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield late in the game to secure Buffalo’s fifth home win this season. Since 2022, Buffalo has posted an NFL-best home record at Highmark Stadium with only three losses over that period.
Special teams also played an important role; Mecole Hardman Jr.’s first kick return went for 61 yards and set up an early touchdown run by Allen. Ray Davis averaged nearly 40 yards per return across four attempts as Buffalo totaled its fifth-highest single-game kick return yardage in franchise history.
“It’s such a spark. I’m proud of how they returned today. That’s huge for an offense to win the field position like that,” Allen said.
