Tom Brady hits walkoff TD pass to lead Buccaneers past reeling Bills
At another time in the season, or perhaps if it weren't for the massive preseason expectations, maybe the Buffalo Bills could feel good about coming all the way back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just to ultimately lose.
But the Bills need wins. They had a great rally from 21 points down to force overtime, but the Buccaneers put together a drive in overtime and Breshad Perriman broke a 58-yard touchdown to end Tampa Bay's 33-27 win. If there was any doubt about Tom Brady winning another MVP, that play should seal it up.
This fact will sneak up on some people: The Bills are 7-6 and not even a lock to make the playoffs. While the comeback Sunday could spark something the rest of the season, it was just another loss that puts the them in a deeper hole.
Bills have a bad start
The Bills started terribly. They gave up a 47-yard touchdown to Leonard Fournette. That's the same defense that has been battered on the ground a few times this season.
Brady threw a touchdown to Mike Evans, and then had a quarterback sneak for a score. The Buccaneers led 24-3 at the half and had 303 yards by halftime. The Bills became the first team since 1991 to not have a single rushing yard or attempt from a running back in the first half, according to CBS.
Then on fourth-and-2 to start the second half, the Bills sent on the punt team. It made no sense to punt, so it was obvious to everyone that a fake was likely. The Bills ran a direct snap to Matt Breida and it was stopped for a 3-yard loss. It was awful.
At that point, the Bills looked like they were finished. Tom Brady was 106-1 in his regular-season career when leading by 21 or more points. However, Allen and the defense heated up in the fourth quarter.
Bills tie it, sent it to overtime
The Bills got back in it. When Josh Allen hit Dawson Knox for a touchdown, the Buccaneers' lead was down to 27-24. Then Buffalo got a stop, forcing a punt after linebacker Matt Milano sacked Tom Brady on third down.
With 1:48 left, the Bills had a fourth-and-4. Gabriel Davis caught a pass short of the sticks but bulled his way forward for the first down. Cole Beasley picked up 15 yards. Knox took a short pass and turned it upfield for 24 yards to put Buffalo well within field-goal range. They couldn't punch it in but Tyler Bass' field goal tied the game and it went to overtime.
Momentum meant nothing. The Bills got the ball first and couldn't move it. The Buccaneers were driving when Perriman — the former Baltimore Ravens first-round pick who was only playing because Antonio Brown is suspended — ran a shallow crossing route. He got matched up against a linebacker, got a step on him, Brady led him perfectly and Perriman had nothing but green grass in front of him.
it was a great win for the Buccaneers, who are 10-3, almost have the NFC South wrapped up and are in the mix for the NFC's No. 1 seed. The Bills should feel OK about the comeback against a good Buccaneers team, but there's not enough time left this season for moral victories.
