ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Bills desperately needed some offensive production, especially in the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday night. They got just that and then some during their primetime matchup on Thursday night.
They had combined to score ten points in the first halves of the previous three games combined losing to the Jaguars and Patriots while narrowly beating the Giants.
Buffalo answered with 17 points over the first two quarters en-route to a 24-18. win.
Gabe Davis and Khalil Shakir were the front runners on offense tonight.
Despite not having a touchdown, Shakir led the team in receiving yards with 92. He ended the night with six receptions and averaged 15.3 yards per catch.
Allen hit Gabe Davis for a 4-yard TD to open the second half to open a 24-10 lead. Davis had 9-receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown on the night.
Allen connected with first-round pick TE Dalton Kincaid for a 22-yard touchdown in the second quarter to give Buffalo a 17-10 lead. It was the first career touchdown for the Bills first-round pick. Kincaid finished with 5 catches for 65 yards.
Allen and the offense responded after Tampa Bay was able to capitalize on an interception Baker Mayfield hit Chris Godwin on a 3-yard TD pass to tie the game. Allen's pass was deflected by cornerback Antoine Winfield Jr. and picked off. It was Allen's first throw after briefly spending time in the medical tent to deal with what appeared to be an aggravation to his injured shoulder.
The Bills squandered a chance for additional points earlier on 4th and goal at the 2-yard line. Allen's pass intended for Kincaid was well-defended and turned over on downs.
The Bills had some much-needed success early in the game on special teams. Shaq Lawson blocked a Buccaneers field goal attempt. Tyler Bass connected on a 37-yard field goal to open the scoring. Bass had missed from 42 yards in the loss to the Patriots Sunday.
The Bills improved to 5-3 on the season. The team will have 10 days until their next game when they travel to Cincinnati to take on Joe Burrow and the Bengals. The game will be available right here on Channel 2, so be sure to tune in for the 8:20 p.m. kickoff.
