Buffalo entered Sunday's game at 3-2, right in the middle of the AFC playoff race. Jameis Winston's status was up in the air, but he did start, and he played well at times for the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay would score 27 points against a defense that had been allowing just 15 points per game to opposing offenses. However, that number was not enough as Buffalo managed to score 30 points after Tre'Davious White forced a fumble late in the game. That doesn't change the fact that there were plenty of emotions throughout, as Buffalo had several miscues, including a really bad one in the first half.
Buffalo fans rip McDermott's decision making
The Bills defense made a huge play at the end of the first half, intercepting Winston and placing the Bills in field goal range. Unfortunately, Buffalo came away with no points thanks to a confusing playcall that had Jordan Matthews run an out route that didn't go to the sideline.
#Bills fans at the end of the first half pic.twitter.com/kgoQOFa1J1
— Ryan Talbot (@RyanTalbotBills) October 22, 2017
That miscue cost the Bills three points, and it could have easily cost them the game if more things didn't go their way.
What the hell was that play the Bills just called with no timeouts left and the first half seconds from ending?
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) October 22, 2017
Sean McDermott did admit to his mistake in a press conference after the game, and hopefully he can learn from it for future games, because this poor clock management cannot continue if the Bills are going to make a playoff push.
#Bills HC Sean McDermott about the end of the first half: It was all my fault. I thought we could get three plays off there. All my fault.
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) October 22, 2017
'Pirate's of the Carribean' Memes
The "Pirates of the Carribean" theme started with the Buffalo Bills tweeting a preview of today's game between the Buccaneers and the home team.
But it didn't stop there, as Bills writer Joe Buscaglia used the theme throughout the game. Here's a play by play of how the game went for Bills fans. It all started with a first quarter that ended without a punt.
We made it! A #puntless 1st! pic.twitter.com/jxQD7gDRwj
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) October 22, 2017
He followed that up with LeSean McCoy breaking free for his first touchdown of the season.
#Bills RB LeSean McCoy has his first touchdown of the season. He is #free pic.twitter.com/5mluBkew5i
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) October 22, 2017
Then Ryan Davis pulled down Jameis Winston and the Bills recovered a fumble, making it look like a rout was about to start.
Ryan Davis just now pic.twitter.com/FppmztgudI
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) October 22, 2017
The first punt of the game for the Buccaneers certainly made it look like Tampa Bay was in full control of this one.
The Buccaneers are punting pic.twitter.com/e2xzo7FOCE
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) October 22, 2017
But then the aforementioned disaster happened, and Buffalo ended the first half with just a four point lead, 10-6, as time expired.
#Bills fans upon seeing that completed pass in bounds, looking at the ticking clock, and then realizing they had no timeouts remaining: pic.twitter.com/GjwQMPePlS
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) October 22, 2017
In the second half, the "Pirates of the Carribean" GIFs didn't end. A quick touchdown to Logan Thomas had Bills fans at New Era Field and at home celebrating.
#Bills fans right now pic.twitter.com/Fr47jdYFEZ
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) October 22, 2017
But things quickly changed for the worse after a LeSean McCoy fumble when the game was tied.
#Bills fans following the McCoy lost fumble in a tie game pic.twitter.com/ZE6E6YZ7wm
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) October 22, 2017
After a Buccaneers touchdown, things looked bleak, but the Bills quickly drove down and scored a touchdown.
A forced fumble by White gave the Bills the ball, and Taiwan Jones picked up a first down on an impressive run.
Taiwan Jones on that first down pickup pic.twitter.com/9duBz75XOZ
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) October 22, 2017
Finally, the Buffalo Bills lined up for the go-ahead field goal and you can bet that fans were nervous.
Live look at #Bills fans ahead of this FG attempt pic.twitter.com/RAGFzj4qJh
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) October 22, 2017
But Hauschka narrowly snuck it in, and Buffalo won, improving to 4-2 on the season, which prompted wide receiver Jordan Matthews to Tweet:
Another wagon circled
— Jordan Matthews (@jmattjmattjmatt) October 22, 2017
The Bills will try to circle the wagons again next week at New Era Field against the Oakland Raiders.