The Buffalo Bills’ running game has been snuffed out the last four weeks. Running back Lesean Mccoy could not find the end zone. First downs came tough. That all changed yesterday, as McCoy scored a pair of touchdowns to help Buffalo secure a 30-27 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Newly signed wide receiver Deonte Thompson ended his first game as Bill with 107 yards, as stated by the Buffalo News. In a matchup where the Bills defense gave up over 400 yards, it was the Buffalo offense that paved the way to a nail-biting victory.
LeSean McCoy lights up running game
The bye week seemed to pay off for Buffalo. After having two weeks off, the Bills coaching staff seems to have repaired the team’s defunct rushing attack. Besides McCoy’s twos scores and 91 yards, Tyrod Taylor took off for 53 yards. The rest of the yardage was made up by Mike Tolbert. McCoy raced through holes and gaps. Taylor looked like his old self, as he scrambled through open lanes down the field.
Taylor puts up high passing numbers
Taylor looked like more than a game manager, as he aired the ball to Jordan Matthews, tight end Nick O’Leary, and Deonte Thompson. Taylor gave Logan Thomas his shining moment when Thomas snagged a pass in the end zone in the third quarter for his first NFL touchdown.
For the day, Taylor threw for 268 yards. While he did overthrow a couple of wide receivers, he was mostly on the target all game. For the fifth straight week, the Bills had more passing than rushing yards. Despite the franchise’s 50 plus year run identity, fans knowing that Buffalo can win with passing is a refreshing change of pace.
Deonte Thompson torches defenders
Deonte Thompson has been with the Bills less than a week but found a way to be a breakout star. The wide receiver’s biggest play came on a 44-yard sideline catch that helped set up McCoy’s touchdown to tie the game. Thompson’s 100-plus yard game makes him the first Buffalo wide receiver to hit the triple digit mark in receptions this season.
Charles Clay is the only Bill besides Thompson to post such high numbers. He had 112 receptions yards in the Bills’ win over the Falcons in Week 3. However, his knee injury has him out of the lineup for a couple of months.
Defense has redemption play fumble recovery
The Bills’ defense was due for a down day. Jameis Winston picked apart the Buffalo secondary. He made the cornerbacks look foolish when he found an uncovered O.J. Howard for a touchdown. However, at the end of the game, Tre’Davious White forced a fumble that helped Stephen Hauschka kick the game-winning field goal. While the Buccaneers’ lateral plays with no time left revived nauseating thoughts of the Bills’ Music City Miracle loss in 1999, Buffalo hung on.
Buffalo is now 4-2. They face the Oakland Raiders at home next week.
