Game story
In Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season on 2023-10-26, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 24–18 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with +7.55 total EPA, and -2.6% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.55 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-11.6% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Buffalo Bills changed the game: (7:40) 17-J.Allen pass short middle intended for 86-D.Kincaid INTERCEPTED by 92-W.Gholston (31-A.Winfield) at BUF 23. 92-W.Gholston to BUF 23 for no gain (60-M.Morse).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 18 |
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Mayfield · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +7.55 total EPA · 53 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 2 K. Shakir · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +6.98 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
- 3 R. White · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +5.06 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
- 4 G. Davis · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.20 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
- 5 J. Allen · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +3.76 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
- 6 J. Allen · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +3.04 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
- 7 M. Evans · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.60 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
- 8 C. Godwin · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.22 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Mayfield — TB · Passing
B. Mayfield posted the highest total EPA (+7.55) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Tampa Bay Buccaneers's efficiency. Across 53 counted snaps, they averaged +0.14 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.55 EPA) came from Buffalo Bills: (7:40) 17-J.Allen pass short middle intended for 86-D.Kincaid INTERCEPTED by 92-W.Gholston (31-A.Winfield) at BUF 23. 92-W.Gholston to BUF 23 for no gain (60-M.Morse).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Buffalo Bills — J. Allen
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Godwin (B. Mayfield pass)
- Buffalo Bills — D. Kincaid (J. Allen pass)
- Buffalo Bills — G. Davis (J. Allen pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Evans (B. Mayfield pass)
Field goals
- Buffalo Bills — T. Bass
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. McLaughlin
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 3–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the TB 19 (Q1 53:08) — (8:08) 2-T.Bass 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin..
The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 14–10. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the TB 13 (Q2 41:10) — (11:10) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen up the middle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 41:03) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the BUF 39 (Q2 37:45) — (7:45) 4-C.McLaughlin 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-5-J.Camarda.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the BUF 3 (Q2 36:51) — (6:51) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 14-C.Godwin for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q2 36:46) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-5-J.Camarda.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the TB 22 (Q2 32:46) — (2:46) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 86-D.Kincaid for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 32:40) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin..
The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the TB 4 (Q3 25:46) — (10:46) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 13-G.Davis for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q3 25:40) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin..
The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the BUF 24 (Q4 2:51) — (2:51) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep left to 13-M.Evans for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the BUF 2 (Q4 2:44).
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 37:40) — (7:40) 17-J.Allen pass short middle intended for 86-D.Kincaid INTERCEPTED by 92-W.Gholston (31-A.Winfield) at BUF 23. 92-W.Gholston to BUF 23 for no gain (60-M.Morse).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 49:26) — (4:26) 4-C.McLaughlin 50 yard field goal is BLOCKED (90-S.Lawson), Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-5-J.Camarda.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 50:57) — (5:57) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass incomplete deep middle to 88-C.Otton [56-L.Floyd]. PENALTY on BUF-20-T.Rapp, Defensive Pass Interference, 21 yards, enforced at TB 39 - No Play.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 32:46) — (2:46) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 86-D.Kincaid for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 0:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass incomplete deep middle. Hail Mary fell incomplete.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 37:40) — (7:40) 17-J.Allen pass short middle intended for 86-D.Kincaid INTERCEPTED by 92-W.Gholston (31-A.Winfield) at BUF 23. 92-W.Gholston to BUF 23 for no gain (60-M.Morse).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 2:51) — (2:51) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep left to 13-M.Evans for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 49:26) — (4:26) 4-C.McLaughlin 50 yard field goal is BLOCKED (90-S.Lawson), Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-5-J.Camarda.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 32:46) — (2:46) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 86-D.Kincaid for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
B.Mayfield led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B.Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 53 dropbacks · 47.2% completion · -2.6% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +7.55 total EPA
- J.Allen (Buffalo Bills) · 46 dropbacks · 67.4% completion · +10.1% CPOE · +0.07 EPA/play · +3.04 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.013 | +0.075 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.1% | 51.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.142 | +0.066 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.205 | +0.134 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.075 | -0.013 |
| Defensive success rate | 48.8% | 60.9% |
By the numbers
Buffalo Bills held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs +0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, +6.41 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, +1.15 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Buffalo Bills leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- B. Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- J. Allen (BUF) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q1 53:08 · TB 19 · Score 0-3
(8:08) 2-T.Bass 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 41:10 · TB 13 · Score 0-9
(11:10) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen up the middle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 41:03 · TB 15 · Score 0-10
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 37:45 · BUF 39 · Score 3-10
(7:45) 4-C.McLaughlin 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-5-J.Camarda. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 36:51 · BUF 3 · Score 9-10
(6:51) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 14-C.Godwin for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 36:46 · BUF 15 · Score 10-10
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-5-J.Camarda. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 32:46 · TB 22 · Score 10-16
(2:46) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 86-D.Kincaid for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 32:40 · TB 15 · Score 10-17
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 25:46 · TB 4 · Score 10-23
(10:46) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 13-G.Davis for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 25:40 · TB 15 · Score 10-24
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 2:51 · BUF 24 · Score 16-24
(2:51) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep left to 13-M.Evans for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+8) — Q4 2:44 · BUF 2 · Score 18-24
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 6-B.Mayfield pass to 88-C.Otton is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Pass caught over middle, 5 yds. into end zone. J.Phillips tipped ba
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Buffalo Bills?
The Buffalo Bills beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-18 in Week 8, 2023 on 2023-10-26.
What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Buffalo Bills?
The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 18, Buffalo Bills 24 (TB 18-24 BUF) in Week 8, 2023 on 2023-10-26.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Buffalo Bills?
Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Buffalo Bills 3; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10, Buffalo Bills 14; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Buffalo Bills 7; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14, Buffalo Bills 0; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 18, Buffalo Bills 24.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Buffalo Bills?
Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Allen (Q2 41:10) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Godwin (B. Mayfield pass) (Q2 36:51) Buffalo Bills touchdown — D. Kincaid (J. Allen pass) (Q2 32:46) Buffalo Bills touchdown — G. Davis (J. Allen pass) (Q3 25:46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Evans (B. Mayfield pass) (Q4 2:51) Buffalo Bills field goal — T. Bass (Q1 53:08, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. McLaughlin (Q2 37:45, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Buffalo Bills?
B. Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 47.2% completion, -2.6% CPOE, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +7.55 total passing EPA. J. Allen (Buffalo Bills), 67.4% completion, +10.1% CPOE, +0.07 EPA per dropback, +3.04 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Buffalo Bills?
B. Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led the game in total EPA with +7.55 on passing plays. across 53 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.55 EPA): (7:40) 17-J.Allen pass short middle intended for 86-D.Kincaid INTERCEPTED by 92-W.Gholston (31-A.Winfield) at BUF 23. 92-W.Gholston to BUF 23 for no gain (60-M.Morse).. The biggest win-probability swing was -11.6%.
Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Buffalo Bills a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Buffalo Bills won 24-18 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 3-3 Now 3-4 L
Buffalo Bills
Entered 4-3 Now 5-3 W
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