Buccaneers vs. Bills Free Pick – High Stakes Clash of Passing Titans and Defensive Struggles

In Week 8 of the NFL, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Buffalo Bills in a Thursday Night Football matchup. Both teams are coming off recent losses, with the Buccaneers having a 3-3 record and the Bills at 4-3 for the season. The Bills are favored by 8.5 points in this game, which takes place at Highmark Stadium. A significant focal point of this game is the clash between the Bills’ strong passing attack and the Buccaneers’ weak pass defense. Both teams are ranked 31st in different aspects, with the Bucs having the 31st-ranked rushing offense and the Bills possessing the 31st-ranked rushing defense.

Buccaneers’ Offense at a Crossroads: Mayfield’s Injury and the Challenge of Facing the Bills’ Pass Rush

Tampa Bay had faced tough defenses earlier in the season, including the Falcons, Saints, Eagles, Lions, and the Bears, who had an impressive run defense. Quarterback Baker Mayfield had been performing well but was starting to face more pressure due to the Bucs’ weak running game, which ranked second to last in the NFL. Mayfield was dealing with a knee injury and had not practiced leading up to the game, raising concerns about his ability to perform. The Buccaneers might consider resting him, especially given their strong offensive line’s ability to protect the quarterback, allowing a sack in less than 4% of passing situations. However, the Bills were second in the league in sacking the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage in passing situations, which posed a significant threat.

Game-Time Decision: Mayfield’s Impact on Scoring, Backup Challenge, and Buccaneers’ Road to Redemption

QB Kyle Trask

If Mayfield plays, the game was expected to have a high-scoring outcome, but if he sits out, it could turn into a lower-scoring contest, possibly ending around 24-13. The Buccaneers lack an experienced backup quarterback, with Kyle Trask, a former Florida Gator, having limited NFL experience. He had some attributes that set him apart, such as being six-foot-five and having an impressive college season with 41 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. However, he lacked the quickness and mobility that Mayfield possessed, which could be a problem against a strong pass rush. The Buccaneers were on a two-game losing streak, having lost three of their last four games, all of which were played at home. Surprisingly, they were undefeated on the road, winning by three points in Minnesota and by 17 points in New Orleans. The Bucs aimed to regain their success on the road and close the half-game gap behind Atlanta in the NFC South.

Mayfield’s Rollercoaster Ride: Buccaneers’ Offense, Defensive Strength, and Playoff Aspirations

Baker Mayfield had pleasantly surprised Tampa Bay, guiding the team to a .500 record in the initial six games of the season. However, his performance had declined in the last two games, throwing only one touchdown pass while having two interceptions. Mike Evans remained the top receiving threat for the Bucs, averaging 78.0 yards per game with four touchdowns, and Chris Godwin was a solid second receiver, averaging 66.3 yards per game. The Buccaneers struggled in the ground game, with Rachaad White being the top running back, averaging 44.3 yards per game and scoring the only rushing touchdown of the season for the team. Tampa Bay had a strong defense, ranking 6th in the league in scoring defense, allowing just 17.3 points per game. They had generated 13 takeaways while limiting their own turnovers to just six, resulting in a +7 turnover differential, the 2nd best in the league.

Bills in Turbulence: Playoff Hopes, Allen’s Challenge, and Bouncing Back Against Tampa

QB Josh Allen has a problem with interceptions this year

The Bills had a mixed season with high and low points, entering this game with a 4-3 record. Despite being favored in every game, they had suffered losses to the Jets, Jaguars, and most recently, the Patriots. Josh Allen was a key figure for the Bills, ranking 5th in total passing yards and tied for the league lead in touchdown passes with 15. 

However, he also had seven interceptions, and the Bills were looking for him to reduce turnovers. Stefon Diggs is the top receiver for Buffalo, averaging 96.9 yards per game with six touchdowns. The Bills had a strong offense, ranking 3rd in the league in scoring with 28.3 points per game, while their defense was 5th, allowing only 16.9 points per game. In recent weeks, the Bills had been struggling to deliver on their potential, with inconsistent performances and an increasing number of turnovers. The short week and the emotional toll of recent losses raised questions about their ability to bounce back in this matchup against Tampa.

Odds at Betanysports.eu & Free Pick

The Thursday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Buffalo Bills has significant implications for both teams. The game is expected to feature a strong passing attack from the Bills against the weak pass defense of the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield’s injury and the possibility of his backup, Kyle Trask, starting adds uncertainty to the outcome. Both teams are dealing with recent losses, and their performance in this game would be crucial to their respective playoff aspirations. With those uncertainties mixed with how well the Bills play at home, Buffalo seems like the surefire pick here. Make sure to visit https://aff.betanysports.eu/sba/ and claim a 30% cash bonus or 135% Free play on your deposit. 

Update: 10/26/23 – Baker Mayfield is cleared to play tonight but line still moves against Bucs.

Spread: Buccaneers +8 ½ (-110) – Bills -8 ½ (-110) Update:10/26/23 – Line has since move to Bills -10

Money line: Buccaneers +320 – Bills -400