The Buffalo Bills are fresh off a disappointing loss.
All week, topics and storylines have been discussed ahead of this cross-conference clash. In the end, regardless of what is said by players, coaches, media outlets and fans, it always comes down to what unfolds on the field in the NFL.
And once it’s game time, there will be a few particular things to look out for.
With that, here are five things to watch for during the Bills (6-3) versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) clash in Week 11:
There are a lot of outsiders questioning this Bills team. They are facing a Bucs side with the same record. Translation: Tampa needs this win just as bad.
Similar to the way Buffalo looked heading into their eventual win against the Kansas City Chiefs, can the Bills play desperate and beat the the Bucs to silence some critics? Nothing fancy, start well, and win.
The Bills are 0-3 in games where James Cook does not rush for 100 yards.
Things to watch for? Simple here.
Josh Allen is still an elite quarterback. Imagine how bad things would be in Buffalo without him?
He still needs help. Will Allen get that with a potential return from injury via receiver Josh Palmer (knee/ankle)? Can Gabe Davis make an appearance from the practice squad?
The Bills defense has had struggles simply making tackles. If the Bucs have running back Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot) return) back? That will be even more difficult… but for Buffalo… it doesn’t even really matter. Everyone is a problem. Tackle them.
Palmer was mentioned, but the likes of pass rusher AJ Epenesa (concussion), linebacker Terrel Bernard (ankle), pass rusher Joey Bosa (wrist), cornerback Taron Johnson (groin), and more, are all dealing with injuries.
The Bills have seen an uptick in health on their injury report this week. Can this team finally help?
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills vs. Buccaneers: 5 things to watch during Week 11 game