Here is how the Buffalo Bills fared in national power rankings polls heading into Week 15 following their 33-27 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
USA TODAY
11. Bills (10): Bucs LB Devin White definitely added insult to (foot) injury for Buffalo QB Josh Allen, who’s simply having to shoulder too heavy a load in this offense.
Touchdown Wire
11. Buffalo Bills (7-6)
Last week: 10The Bills were in Raiders drop territory in this poll at halftime as they looked lifeless against the Buccaneers. The Bucs took their foot off the gas a bit on offense, but Buffalo stormed back thanks to QB Josh Allen. Despite the 33-27 overtime loss, the Bills have to take a moral victory here and turn it into wins down the stretch.
Sporting News
12. Buffalo Bills 7-6 (8)
The Bills looked dazed and confused, going through a Patriots hangover for the first half against the Buccaneers. That’s before they kicked into high gear with Josh Allen leading the surge of emotion and sense of urgency. Unfortunately, he was still outdueled by Brady and also hurt himself.
Bleacher Report
11. Buffalo Bills (7-6)
Last Week: 7
Week 14 Result: Lost at Tampa Bay 33-27 (OT)
Not long ago, the Buffalo Bills looked like one of the top contenders to lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Now, after losing in overtime in Tampa on Sunday, the Bills are 7-6 and in danger of missing the postseason altogether.
Buffalo gave the defending Super Bowl champions all they could handle in the second half. However, the Bills were blasted 24-3 in the first half.
Josh Allen became only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to pass for 300 yards and run for over 100 yards in the same game. He also picked up a foot injury, but he told reporters afterward that he was fine.
“Finished the game. I don’t think it’s going to be a big deal,” Allen said. “It’s pretty sore. It’s football.”
“The team with the second-best scoring margin in the NFL is just 7-6,” Gagnon wrote. “On one hand, that suggests the Bills are much better than their record. On the other hand, they have very few impressive wins over quality opponents. Unless they beat the Patriots in two weeks, this might not be their year.”
NFL.com
10. Buffalo Bills (7-6)
Previous rank: No. 7
The Bills are on a losing streak that’s threatening their season, but Josh Allen reminded the world on Sunday this is not a team bereft of hope. The quarterback put his team on his back in the second half against the Bucs, leading Buffalo to four scoring drives to wipe out a 24-3 halftime deficit and force overtime. The Bills faltered on both sides of the ball in OT, but the team’s second-half surge against the defending champs showed the great potential that still lurks within. Allen became just the fourth player in NFL history to throw for 300 yards and rush for 100 yards in the same game. In a frustrating season, he remains an X-factor in the AFC.
CBS Sports
10. Bills (-3)
Two straight losses has them reeling as they head to the final four weeks. They have to get it going or they could be the biggest flop of the season. The schedule is favorable.
Pro Football Talk
13. Bills (7-6, No. 11): Only Josh Allen can save the season.
Yahoo! Sports
9. Buffalo Bills (7-6, LW: 9)
Bills fans are not happy with a non-call on what could have been pass interference on Stefon Diggs. If the Bills get that call, they would have had first-and-goal with the chance to win in regulation. You make the call:
ESPN
9. Buffalo Bills (7-6)
Previous ranking: 8
Offense: 7
Defense: 2
Special teams: 1The Bills’ numbers reflect a frustrating trend for a team that has performed well in all three phases at various times of the season but has fallen just short in too many games, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The special teams ranking stands out here, as it reflects an impressive season from place-kicker Tyler Bass and why the team likes punter Matt Haack. These ratings show a team that should have a better record than 7-6 but is 0-5 in one-score games this year.