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Bucs game day is approaching, and it’s time for the PewterReport.com staff to offer up its weekly game predictions.
Let us know what you think in the article comments section and add your prediction, too.
BUCCANEERS vs. BILLS
WHEN: Sunday, December 12, 2021 | WHERE: Raymond James Stadium | KICKOFF: 4:25 p.m. ET | TV: CBS
PLAY-BY-PLAY: Jim Nantz |ANALYST: Tony Romo | SIDELINE: Tracy Wolfson
RADIO: 98 ROCK 97.9 FM | PLAY-BY-PLAY: Gene Deckerhoff | ANALYST: Dave Moore | SIDELINE: T.J. Rives
SPANISH RADIO: 96.1 FM | PLAY-BY-PLAY: Carlos Bohorquez | ANALYST: Martin Gramatica
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Glory Days Grill
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Scott Reynolds: Bucs Win A Shootout vs. Bills At The End
Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski – Photo by: USA Today
I think the Bucs should keep the Bills off balance by throwing the ball on first down when they are expecting a run, and running it on second down when Buffalo might be expecting the pass. Then mix in a healthy dose of play-action to really mess with Buffalo’s linebackers and safeties and get them to play on their heels and off their landmarks in zone defense. I could see Mike Evans having a big day outside and Rob Gronkowski having a clutch game down the seam where he towers over smaller Bills linebackers and safeties.
Reynolds’ Score Prediction: Buccaneers 30, Bills 27
Reynolds’ Season Record: 8-4
Jon Ledyard: Bills Top Bucs In Explosive Affair
I trust the Bucs offense to put up points, even against arguably the best defense in the NFL. Buffalo doesn’t have a great 4-man pass rush or top-tier cornerbacks, but they’re extremely well-coached in both areas. We haven’t seen their secondary without Tre White, but Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer might be the best safety tandem in the NFL. Buffalo’s defensive versatility, especially in the middle of the field with Hyde, Poyer, nickel cornerback Taron Johnson and linebackers Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds, is a strength.
Bills S Jordan Poyer and CB Tre’davious White – Photo by: USA Today
That strength could help them counteract Tom Brady’s desire to work between the numbers just enough to get Tampa Bay’s offense off-balance for a bit. That’s where my distrust of Tampa’s defense comes in. If this unit struggled against Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Trevor Siemian and Jacoby Brissett, why should I trust them against Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs? Yes, the return of Carlton Davis helps, but there are plenty of other favorable matchups for the Bills offense.
Buffalo has run the ball better than given credit for all season. They aren’t elite in pass protection, which means the Bucs will have to win up front as a rush group. Can they do that consistently and finish sacks on Allen? They’ve struggled to get quarterbacks on the ground this year, and Allen is excellent outside of structure. I think the Bills present the biggest or second-biggest challenge (Rams) to the Bucs defense this season. They’ll put up some points, but the Tampa Bay defense can’t be the weakest unit on the field on Sunday. Right now, it looks like it is.
Ledyard’s Score Prediction: Bills 34, Bucs 28
Ledyard’s Season Record: 11-1
Matt Matera: Bucs Get Home Streak Finished By The Bills
This is the last game on the schedule for the Bucs to test themselves before the playoffs, no disrespect to the Saints, Panthers and Jets. I do think there’s an element to the Bucs picking up their game when they play against better competition, but I’m not exactly buying the idea either.
Bucs RB Leonard Fournette – Photo by: USA Today
There’s not really much you can take from the Bills’ last game on Monday Night Football where running the ball was the game plan, but you can understand that they’re not too happy with their result. The Bucs haven’t played against a top tier quarterback since Dak Prescott in Week 1 or Matt Stafford in Week 3, depending on your preference. Stopping the opponent on third down has been an issue for the Bucs, and I’m not really sure how it’ll be corrected in a week.
Even though the Bills have allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the league, there’s no team better at scoring with their offense than the Bucs. Tampa Bay is at it’s best in the passing game, and they’ll be able to get the points when they’re needed. I don’t trust their defense, though, who I’d predict to play soft coverage as the Bills get down the field to win the game.
Matera’s Score Prediction: Bills 31, Bucs 30
Matera’s Season Record: 9-3
JC Allen: Bucs Survive In Back And Forth Game With Bills
After two thrilling road wins, the Bucs come back to Tampa to take on one of the toughest opponents left on their schedule. Tom Brady called their upcoming game against the Bills the most important game of the season. It’s a thought echoed by many of his teammates and coaches, including Rob Gronkowski.
Bucs QB Tom Brady and TE Rob Gronkowski – Photo by: USA Today
Brady and Gronk have an extensive history playing against Buffalo. Brady’s all time record against the Bills is a whopping 32-3. He’s thrown 70 touchdowns, with Gronk being on the receiving end for 12 of them.
It won’t be easy as the Bills boast the NFL’s number one ranked defense. That included the top pass defense unit, even without corner Tre’Davious White. If the Bucs can get the passing attack rolling early, it will help them churn out yards on the ground where Buffalo is ranked in the middle of the pack. The intensity has been dialed up in practice this week. With several starters banged up, it’s going to take a complete team effort to beat a Bills squad that is looking to prove that last week wasn’t an indication of their season’s trajectory.
Allen’s Score Prediction: Buccaneers 33, Bills 30
Allen’s Season Record: 9-3
Paul Atwal: Bucs, Bills Trade Blows In A Thriller
This is the game. The one that tells us if the Bucs are still a work-in-progress, or if they’re approaching Super Bowl form – as they did to end the 2020 regular season. The Bills are 7-5, but they lead the NFL in point differential per game. And the latter is more predictive of future performance than the former.
Bills QB Josh Allen – Photo by: USA Today
Buffalo’s offense against Tampa Bay’s defense will be a fascinating matchup. The Bucs – often matching three receiver sets with base personnel and bear fronts on early downs – want to stop the run first. Everyone throws early and often against the Bucs, but the Bills might take that to the extreme. They already drop back on 64 percent of early downs – the highest mark in the league. With all the blitzes and soft coverages, the Bucs challenge opponents to have a good quick game. According to Sports Info Solutions, the Bills have the league’s fourth most efficient quick passing attack (i.e. passes with zero-to-three step dropbacks and RPOs). I expect Brian Daboll to have a smart gameplan that presses all the right buttons.
The Bills are another quarters-heavy defense that likes showing two-high shells pre-snap and spinning down when necessary. They currently have the best defensive EPA per play in the NFL. But here’s the big caveat: they’ve played plenty of bad offenses, and this Bucs unit is anything but. Tampa Bay can beat teams in any way. The only thing a defense can do is show light boxes and hope that the Bucs take the ball out of Tom Brady’s hands. And while that’s the best option in a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don’t scenario, Leonard Fournette and the Bucs’ offensive line have been on a tear. It seems like the only time the Bucs don’t score is when they turn the ball over, with each interception and fumble being more ridiculous than the last. For the Bucs to win, their offense will have to play their cleanest game yet.
Atwal’s Score Prediction: Buccaneers 34, Bills 30
Atwal’s Season Record: 10-2
Kasey Hudson: Bucs Defense Out-Defends Buffalo
Will the path to 10-3 be more attainable than expected? The Bills are coming off of a crushing 14-10 loss against the Patriots, looking for redemption. Yet, the Patriots, amongst the Colts and Titans, have exploited the No. 7 ranked team in the AFC, who have allowed 136 rushing yards per game. Immediately, we all think Leonard Fournette will be the answer, but let’s not get carried away. The Bills will be prepared for him. Byron Leftwich and Tom Brady will need to have some tricks up their sleeves. Utilizing their offensive threats and decoys in unorthodox ways against Bills’ Jordan Poyer, Dane Jackson, and Micah Hyde will be imperative.
Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There is limited success running the ball against the Bucs. Tampa’s defense has stepped up in the last few games, but the secondary is still a work in progress. Jordan Whitehead remains out for Sunday’s game, but Richard Sherman and Jamal Dean appear hopeful to return. Due to the secondary’s issues, it is safe to presume that Josh Allen will attack through the air before using his legs. Receivers like Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, and Cole Beasley will be quality matchups. Heading into Sunday, the Bucs have forced nine turnovers and nine sacks over their previous three games. If they can bring that energy against the Bills and keep Allen’s jersey dirty, they will put the team in prime position to win.
If the Bucs defense really shows up, I say Raymond James remains intact and the Bucs continue to protect their home turf. Expect a tight game, but Tom Brady and company have been heading in the right direction – healing and rebuilding, week-by-week. Brady will maintain his ownership over the Bills and turn the page to Week 15.
Hudson’s Score Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Bills 24
Hudson’s Season Record: 9-3
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About the Author: PRStaff
Sorry Guys! This game won’t be close, It’s a Bad bad matchup! The Bills defense has no way to stop what we do on offense and once we get a lead the Bucs defense will stymie the Bills offense with Josh Allen trying to play hero ball. Trust me This one will be over by halftime, Bucs Win Big 35-10
I agree I think Bills are going down and by 10 points at least. If not more.
No – that is not a likely outcome. The Bills are not a bad team, like the Falcons or the Giants. They are an underperforming team that last season was good, but somehow lost their way this season.
I think it’s much more likely that this will be a one score differential at the end, but that the Bucs will win.
Never said the Bills were a “bad team” I said “it’s a bad matchup”. Got to be able to stop Leonard Fournette/RoJo from avg 5 yds a carry or else it’s a long afternoon for your team. Bucs will come out to test your run defense early and if you can’t stop it. Look Out
It’s actually not a good matchup on paper for the Bucs. We have the leading pass offense in the league, only 25th best rush offense … but the Bills have the leading pass defense in the league. Their run defense isn’t bad either at 11th. Bills also rank #1 in the league in points allowed, while the Bucs rank only 13th in PA.
On paper.
But paper doesn’t win games – players and coaches win games. Bucs will pull it out in a close hard fought game.
Bills D stats are misleading . They’ve played a bunch of either bad or really banged up teams and many backup QBs. They now are also missing their top CB plus their NT. They are still good but the Bucs will move the ball against them and score at least 30.
I expect the Bills to score around 21-24 points but it won’t be nearly enough.
paper doesn’t wind games for sure. The Ranked Passing and Running never tells the true story. We don’t run the ball nearly as much as other teams, not because there hasn’t been any success with it but because we are Pass heavy. So just because our Rushing Attack ranks low doesn’t mean it’s because we can’t do it.
Blowout Not a likely outcome? How you like 24-3 at halftime jackass? Your always so sure your right. Lol. Imo your an asshat.
i think the bills are the most desperate team right now
Let’s roll these Bills! Bucs win by two touchdowns!
A little surprising to see two of the Bucs homer writers predicting a Bucs loss to the Bills when the vast majority of sports talking/writing heads this week are calling for yet another Bucs home win against the reeling underperforming and extremely disappointing Bills. The Bucs are simply a much better team than the Bills, who have lost 4 of their last 6 games. The guys like Ledyard who think the end all be all of sports performance is gametape and stats but cannot figure out what it takes to actually win a game in the NFL are predicting a… Read more »
It’s gonna be a close game but if you pick the Bucs to lose “then you really believe the Bucs are a scam”. WTF does that even mean. Typical nipples “logic”.
Any non-idiot knows what it means.
Oop! You just outed yourself!
Better stick to baseball redsox whatever you are .. you certainly don’t know NFL football.
Just like the Chiefs in the Super Bowl these are guys are about to make a 50 degree change in weather overnight. They will not be able to adjust and I predict Lenny will be pounding them in the 4th quarter putting the game away while they are so gassed they’ll be begging to go back home. All this on a short week too.
Let’s remind ourselves Ledyard picked Green Bay to beat us last year. You’re not from here dude. Stick to what you know. It’s not the Bucs. You know nothing about this team.
Hear Hear! Some have to try really really hard to convince us that they’re smart while in that silly makeup, wearing those huge clown shoes. It’ll be criminal if the Bucs didn’t run the ball Sunday.
Come out passing against a team that just got their defense run into the ground? I can see why S.R. writes about football, and doesn’t coach it. My guess is the Bills D is still black, and blue from the ground pounding the Pats put on them. Coming off a short week to boot, I’d see how much they want to tackle Lenny, and if they can stand up to our O line. Body blows, the run game, than go for the knock out, play action. Why turn the game into a shoot out?
I agree short week for Bills and was physical game. IMO they were exposed some in New England. When you simply cannot stop a run and they knew the team is just running and not passing is absurd regardless weather. They are undersized and or not good against a power run game. I would run right at them again and see if they can stop it then mix in play action and short passes. Loosen them up before airing it out.
While the Bills could certainly pull this out, I really just don’t see it. Ledyard mentions 4 mobile QB’s, forgetting Prescott from week 1, and says we struggled against them, despite the fact we only lost to Heinicke at Washington. Our defense has been lights out for most of the year at home. They started playing much better on the road the last couple of games as well. I fully expect them to harass Allen all game long. Then when you look at their “vaunted” defense, I see a team that has run up the defensive stats against some of… Read more »
Bills are choking dogs. All we got to do is keep it close and let them lose the game. Just look at their record. 7-1 in games decided by 10+ points, 0-4 in games decided by less than 7 points. Hasn’t been quite the season Bill’s fans were hoping for.
I predict that the stadium will be infested by a lot of transplanted Bills fans who finally have a team worthy of their rekindled support. I suspect, after the recent home defeat by the surprising Flying Elvises, that those “Let’s Go Buff-a lo” chanters might not be quite so confident as they might have been. Since I’m a believer in the mental approach to the game, I wonder if the Bills are still a bit shaken and subdued from that MNF loss when they were unable to score at the close of the game. Our Bucs should be a confident… Read more »
This will give us an idea of how we do in the playoffs. If we dominate the Bills, it bodes well for us in January. If it is a nail-biter, we are probably going to have a short run in the playoffs. If we lose, well, let’s just say I don’t even want to think about that option.
Like most on this thread, I believe the bucs will be victorious today. Other than a win over the Chiefs (when everyone was beating them), they merely beat a bunch of very bad teams. yes they have a good pass defence, but when teams have committed to running (bills blew out a lot of teams taking the running game out early). Add to that their (extremely good) safeties were extremely sensitive to having the ball run down their throats… and you will see a team over committing to play-action. Their rushing (offence) is virtually none existent… except Allen. Hopefully White… Read more »
Really think this comes down to our secondary and D line. With Davis and Dean outside and SMB in the slot we should be able to be physical at the line to disrupt routes and timing. Throw in more reps for the young guns at DE – JTS, Gill, and Nelson to pressure and chase down Allen – and the D should should dominate. But starts with DB’s and press vs soft zone.
Pretty confident in our O line and our ability to be successful with either the run or pass depending on how they try to defend us.
Bucs will win by at least 15. Something like 38-23.
one thing I will say is if anyone knows how to beat the Bills it’s Brady. I think he’s 32-3 against them. Their Defense sounds like KC last year, no stars but plays well together. Well we have stars on our Offense… Top to bottom… It’s time they get out and show what they can do. I am well aware that this game could go either way, blow out or nail bitter either way. As a die hard fan I will say that it all depends on us. If we are disciplined and play smart we can beat any team… Read more »
Did you forget who our ” Offensive ” coordinator is, sucky Leftwich, really 3 points in the 2nd half, Pathetic!