Buffalo Bills @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers Official Game Day Thread- 12/12/21

[Dread]

This one has been circled on the schedule since it was released as two teams with Super Bowl aspirations meet up in a mid-December showdown.

The 7-5 Bills are looking to bounce back after a tough divisional loss to the Pats on MNF. They've dropped 4 of their last 7 games after a 4-1 start to their season. In that span they have NOT lost b2b games though and are looking to avoid doing so today. A loss would put them outside the playoffs and officially in desperation mode whereas a win would give them the confidence they need to get back to playing like the AFC favorites many had them as.

For the 9-3 Bucs, we're on a 3 game win streak and this is that last opponent on the schedule with a winning record. A win today keeps the pressure on the Cards and Packers in the chase for the coveted #1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

More importantly the Bucs want to keep stacking wins and keep the momentum heading into the playoffs hopefully playing their best football.

Things are slowly getting better on the health front. All 3 starting CBs look to be making their 2nd consecutive start together. Jordan Whitehead was the only player ruled out. Still no AB or Mike Edwards as this is game 2 of their 3 game suspension.

Keys to the game will be turnovers (as usual) and the Bucs defense keeping Allen contained and getting him to the ground. The Bills are a good passing offense which has been a weakness for the Bucs defense.

The Bucs defense needs to turn it up a notch down the stretch and start playing like they did in last years playoffs. We've seen it for a half here an there (like last week) or against subpar opponents, but not for 4 quarters against a quality offense like Buffalo.

LFG BUCS!!!

[njdungeoneer]

The Bucs should be able to run on the Bills when they need to so that they can present a balanced attack. Play action passing will be very important to both offenses, so hopefully the Bucs D doesn't bite on the play fake. It will also be critical to stopping Bill's drives by not letting Allen escape for first down earning runs!

[mdb1958]

I want what is needed, a statement game. It's time to go above a hard fought victory - mdb

[Kona]

Currently waiting to get into the parking lot. They really need to change this 3.5 hour rule for NFL stadiums

[King Bootz]

I'm feeling a real statement being made by us.

[Patrick McIrish]

I'm feeling VERY concerned about this one today......

Why? Because there is no reason to be concerned.

Everything seems to point to a rather easy home win against a soft Bills team.

Yeah, this one scares me. Really scares me.

And not just a loss, I'm talking a real fear of it being the 2021 version of last year's regular season Chiefs game.

I'm wrong occasionally, hope this is one of those times.

[Dread]

I know I mentioned in the OP, but I really want the Bucs defense to make a statement today.

The teams that are playing the best in the NFL right now are doing so being led by defense. Cards, Packers, Chiefs, Cowboys, are all playing good defense right now. The Bucs defense needs to be firmly in that group.

It's what led us to the Super Bowl championship last year.

Everyone knows Brady and the offense is capable. It's time for the defense to step the fuck up. It's mid-December so there shouldn't be many surprises from opposing offenses.

[Dread]

I'm feeling VERY concerned about this one today......

Why? Because there is no reason to be concerned.

Everything seems to point to a rather easy home win against a soft Bills team.

Yeah, this one scares me. Really scares me.

And not just a loss, I'm talking a real fear of it being the 2021 version of last year's regular season Chiefs game.

I'm wrong occasionally, hope this is one of those times.

I don't view the Bills as soft. They're also the more desperate team which is always an advantage in football.

I think fans just understand it's an important game. I don't believe people are overconfident.

[King Bootz]

I know I mentioned in the OP, but I really want the Bucs defense to make a statement today.

The teams that are playing the best in the NFL right now are doing so being led by defense. Cards, Packers, Chiefs, Cowboys, are all playing good defense right now. The Bucs defense needs to be firmly in that group.

It's what led us to the Super Bowl championship last year.

Everyone knows Brady and the offense is capable. It's time for the defense to step the fuck up. It's mid-December so there shouldn't be many surprises from opposing offenses.

Yep. Should be no surprises at this point. Early today the Chiefs and Cowboys are winning their games because of great defense. And it's not as if they are playing against scrubs.

I also want that from us today. We haven't had that impressive defensive game yet. You could say the Giants game but that's setting a low bar. This team would be the ideal team to make a defensive statement against today.

[LavonteDavid54]

Bills will throw for 400 yards. Unless we use Fournette wisely and help the defense out. Limit Allen’s possessions, give that sense of panic and lull him into mistakes.
I also do not see us just dropping back and passing on a very good pass defense.

I’m not trying to be negative or the pessimistic clown. I just fear even when we know they are throwing it there’s nothing we can do to stop it. Especially with the Beasley YAC type plays, Diggs route rubbing ability and their depth at WR.

I hope I’m wrong but if they show no signs of a pass defense today ? Then what will we do against teams with a balanced attack?

[Patrick McIrish]

I don't view the Bills as soft.

I do.

They're also the more desperate team which is always an advantage in football.

Negative. History shows us (those that gamble at least) desperate teams actually perform worse than their opponents.

Want a nice fade to round out the weekend? Look for a "must win" team.

I don't believe people are overconfident.

Not coming from the overconfident angle, just have a bad feeling here.....

Bills are not performing to standards, Allen certainly playing below his capabilities.

How many times have we made a 2nd/3rd or poorly playing QB get right?

Maybe I just woke up in a bad mood but seriously I have a bad feeling about this one.

[Patrick McIrish]

BTW I've said this one time this year, everyone said I was wrong, we ended up losing.

I see a Bills win, a big one today.

[King Bootz]

Buffalo soft? Based on what? Sounds like throwing shit at a wall to seeing if it stuck. You don't have the 2nd best defense in football being soft.

[Patrick McIrish]

Everyone talking about a statement win today......

Was it a statement win last year that seemed to light our asses on fire?

Or an absolute drubbing by the Chiefs? A loss.

If and I say IF we get what I fear today I hope it does the same thing for us as that game last year.

Sometimes it's a statement loss you need to really put a team on course for a playoff push.

Nervous Nellie over and out.

[Patrick McIrish]

Buffalo soft? Based on what? Sounds like throwing shit at a wall to seeing if it stuck. You don't have the 2nd best defense in football being soft.

I don't have time to teach you the game and not going to argue over an opinion......

I hope I'm wrong, fully admit I could be absolutely on the wrong side of this. Hope like hell I am.

[King Bootz]

Buffalo soft? Based on what? Sounds like throwing shit at a wall to seeing if it stuck. You don't have the 2nd best defense in football being soft.

I don't have time to teach you the game and not going to argue over an opinion......

I hope I'm wrong, fully admit I could be absolutely on the wrong side of this. Hope like hell I am.

Nor do you have the acumen. But that's neither here nor there.

You are wrong. Doesn't have any bearing on whether we win or lose. But your assessment of Buffalo is wrong.

[King Bootz]

[Patrick McIrish]

I don't have time to teach you the game and not going to argue over an opinion......

I hope I'm wrong, fully admit I could be absolutely on the wrong side of this. Hope like hell I am.

Nor do you have the acumen. But that's neither here nor there.

You are wrong. Doesn't have any bearing on whether we win or lose. But your assessment of Buffalo is wrong.

Bills played the 30th 'toughest' schedule in football.

When playing the top 16 teams they've won once in 4 tries. Yeah, 1-3. Hopefully 1-4 after today.

Sure, nice to pad stats when you shut down teams like Jets, Houston, Jax and so on.

You see the Monday night game?

When the other team hangs a banner and says "WE'RE running every play" and you can't stop them you got a problem.

You're soft as a MF'er! That was embarrassing! I'm going to scream if we don't run the football today.

And BTW as much respect I have for BeliCheat if you think the Patriots are a team going to make a playoff push you are wrong.

They're kind of like Coach Dungy teams in the past, coached up to just make the playoffs but a complete no-factor when getting there.

Bills are not going anywhere this year but that doesn't mean we can't get spanked today.

Buffalo is soft, overrated and playing poorly......

In BucVille that makes them a very dangerous team.

We move on.

[Nano]

Bucs inactives:
S Jordan Whitehead
QB Kyle Trask
DT Steve McLendon
WR Scotty Miller
CB Pierre Desir

Bills Inactives
RB Zack Moss
TE Tommy Sweeney
OL Cody Ford
DE Boogie Basham
DT Star Lotulelei
DT Vernon Butler
LB A.J. Klein (reserve/COVID)
S Damar Hamlin

[Rocker]

Lets fucking go!

[King Bootz]

Seems we receive the kickoff at the start of every game.

[Rocker]

Oof

[King Bootz]

[Primeminister]

Seems we receive the kickoff at the start of every game.

And I hate that. Arians is intent on taking the ball first. It makes no sense.

[Cheb]

Dat snap.

[Primeminister]

I missed the first play. Who fumbled?

[Primeminister]

Dat snap.

Is Jensen playing?

[Cheb]

Seems we receive the kickoff at the start of every game.

And I hate that. Arians is intent on taking the ball first. It makes no sense.

If you believe in your offense, it's not a bad idea. Theoretically, you score first and take command of the game.

But yeah, I always defer. I like getting the ball in the second half when I have a feel for how the game is going.

[BJJ34]

I missed the first play. Who fumbled?

Bad snap by Jensen. Snapped it two feet to the right of Brady.

[Primeminister]

Good coverage, Stewart.

[Nano]

I missed the first play. Who fumbled?

Wasn't really a fumble. Jensen just yeeted the ball past Brady at an angle

[Primeminister]

I missed the first play. Who fumbled?

Bad snap by Jensen. Snapped it two feet to the right of Brady.

JFC. Get your shit together Jensen.

[King Bootz]

I missed the first play. Who fumbled?

Nobody. It was a shitty snap by Jensen.

[Cheb]

Dat snap.

Is Jensen playing?

Yes. He snapped it WAY right of Brady, and Brady by all rights shoulda not been able to recover it.

Mr Irrelevant with the tackle.

[Primeminister]

Nice play Adams!