Tampa Bay (3-3) at Buffalo (4-3)
When: Thursday, October 26th, 2023
Where: Highmark Stadium,
Orchard Park, NY
Time: 8:15 ET | TV: Prime
Opening Odds: Buffalo -9/42
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The Buffalo Bills will try and get back on the winning track when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to kick off Week 8 of the NFL schedule on Thursday night. The Bills suffered their third loss of the season when rival New England got them 29-25 last week. Buffalo’s inability to get off to quick starts has hurt them in recent games. Over the last three weeks, the Bills have scored a total of 10 points in the first half. Buffalo will come into this game as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 42.5.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are about to embark on one of the unfriendliest schedules we’ve ever seen. The Bucs will only play two games at home in a span of eight weeks – Nov. 12 and Dec. 3. It’s only the third time in franchise history that the team will play six road games in a span of eight weeks. Tampa has lost three of their last four after a 16-13 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is dealing with a knee injury and is questionable for this game.
The Bucs are 7-1-1 ATS in the last nine meeting with Buffalo with the last meeting being during the 2021 season. That was a 33-27 overtime win for Tampa behind Tom Brady’s 363 yards and two touchdowns, including his 700th career TD throw (incl. playoffs). The Over is 3-1 in the last four matchups.
The Bucs have taken two steps back after starting the season 2-0. The offense has been horrendous, scoring only 19 total points in back-to-back home losses. With Mayfield iffy for Thursday, this might be the opportunity to see how Kyle Trask can do. Mayfield had the Bucs on a first and goal at the Falcons 8 down 13-10 late in Sunday’s game but could only manage a field goal. The defense allowed the Falcons to march right down and set up the winning field goal. Mike Evans recorded his 85th career TD reception, tying him for 18th place on the all-time NFL list.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injury Report [Week 8]
| Player | Pos. | Status/Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Godwin | WR | Ques Thurs - Neck - 10/23/23 |
| Baker Mayfield | QB | Ques Thurs - Knee - 10/23/23 |
| Matt Feiler | OL | Ques Thurs - Knee - 10/23/23 |
| Kaevon Merriweather | S | Ques Thurs - Ankle - 10/23/23 |
| Vita Vea | DL | Ques Thurs - Groin - 10/23/23 |
| Derrek Pitts | CB | Ques Thurs - Hamstring - 10/23/23 |
| Chase Edmonds | RB | Ques Thurs - Knee - 10/23/23 |
| Ryan Jensen | C | I-R - Knee - 8/29/23 |
| Russell Gage | WR | I-R - Knee - 8/20/23 |
Buffalo has not played well since a dominating 48-20 win over Miami on Oct. 1. The loss against rival New England was a little embarrassing considering the Pats were 1-5 coming into that contest. The Bills managed to rally from down 22-10 with about six minutes left to take a 25-22 lead but allowed the Patriots to come down for the winning touchdown with 12 seconds to go. Josh Allen was 27-of-41 for 265 yards with two touchdowns and also ran for another score. Buffalo tight end Dawson Knox will undergo wrist surgery and is out indefinitely. Fellow tight end, Quintin Morris, didn’t practice on Tuesday because of an ankle injury.
Buffalo Bills Injury Report [Week 8]
| Player | Pos. | Status/Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Allen | QB | Prob Thurs - Shoulder - 10/23/23 |
| Terrel Bernard | LB | Prob Thurs - Knee - 10/23/23 |
| Spencer Brown | T | Prob Thurs - Knee - 10/23/23 |
| Kaiir Elam | CB | Prob Thurs - Ankle - 10/23/23 |
| Von Miller | LB | Ques Thurs - Knee - 10/24/23 |
| Baylon Spector | LB | Ques Thurs - Hamstring - 10/23/23 |
| Jordan Phillips | DT | Ques Thurs - Back - 10/23/23 |
| Ed Oliver | DT | Ques Thurs - Toe - 10/23/23 |
| Quintin Morris | TE | Ques Thurs - Ankle - 10/23/23 |
| Dawson Knox | TE | Out indefinitely - Wrist - 10/23/23 |
| Damien Harris | RB | Out indefinitely - Neck - 10/20/23 |
| DaQuan Jones | DT | I-R - Pectoral - 10/11/23 |
| Matt Milano | LB | I-R - Leg - 10/11/23 |
| Tre'Davious White | CB | I-R - Achilles - 10/7/23 |
| Justin Shorter | WR | Out indefinitely - Hamstring - 8/30/23 |
| Tommy Doyle | T | I-R - Knee - 8/22/23 |
| Nyheim Hines | RB | I-R - Knee - 7/25/23 |
| Zach Davidson | TE | I-R - Knee - 8/3/23 |
The Bills haven’t played well but this is the right team to get them going again. The Bucs offense has been horrible the last two weeks and now Mayfield is dealing with a knee injury on short-rest. Look for the Bills to finally get off a hot start offensively and cruise to a much-needed victory.
Pick: Bills -8.5
