NFL: Josh Allen inspires Buffalo Bills to victory over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Published
NFL 2023 regular season |
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Dates: 7 September 2023 - 7 January 2024 |
BBC coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website every Sunday. |
Josh Allen inspired the Buffalo Bills to a 24-18 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the quarterback threw for two touchdowns and ran in another.
The Bills had to withstand a late rally by the visitors in New York, having led 24-10 after the third quarter.
Baker Mayfield reduced the deficit to six points when he found Mike Evans for a 24-yard touchdown and combined with Cade Otton for a two-point conversion.
But the Buccaneers ran out of time in their search for a game-winning drive.
Allen completed 31 of 40 passes for 324 yards and an interception at Orchard Park.
Yet despite holding a 14-point advantage with 10 minutes and five seconds remaining, Buffalo came under late pressure before going 5-3 for the season.
Mayfield led the charge for Tampa Bay, throwing for 237 yards and two touchdowns, and finished 25 for 42 on passes.
But the visitors, who had recovered a 10-point deficit in the space of 54 seconds in the second quarter, could not avoid a third straight defeat despite a strong finish at Highmark Stadium.