When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills meet on “Thursday Night Football,” both teams will be looking to put an end to their recent skids.
The Buccaneers have lost their last two games to drop to .500 (3-3) for the first time this season and now sit in second in the NFC South. The Bills, meanwhile, are coming off a stunning loss to the New England Patriots and have dropped two of their last three games. Which of these two 2022 playoff teams will get back on track?
Check back throughout the night for more updates on the clash between the Buccaneers and Bills:
Home sweet home
Since the start of the 2020 season, the Bills are a league-best 23-5 in their own building, Highmark Stadium, including 3-0 this season. Their lone “home” loss of 2023 occurred against the Jaguars in London. Beginning with the Bucs, three of Buffalo’s next four games will be played in Orchard Park. — Nate Davis
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What time does Buccaneers vs. Bills start?
Kickoff for Buccaneers vs. Bills is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET on Oct. 26.
How can I watch Buccaneers vs. Bills?
Buccaneers at Bills will be streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and will be broadcast in local markets only.
Buccaneers vs. Bills inactives: Vita Vea out for Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers will be without space-eating defensive tackle Vita Vea against the Bills. The 2021 Pro Bowl selection was listed as questionable this week with a groin injury, and missed three straight practices leading up to Thursday night’s game.
Buccaneers’ inactive players:
OG Matt FeilerS Kaevon MerriweatherDL Patrick O’ConnorRB Sean TuckerDL Vita VeaLB Markees WattsTE David Wells
Bills’ inactive players:
S Damar HamlinCB Kaiir ElamLB Baylon SpectorOG Germain IfediOT Alec AndersonTE Quintin Morris
Buccaneers vs. Bills predictions
Lorenzo Reyes: Bills 24, Buccaneers 17
Buffalo, right now, is going through a rough patch and cannot be trusted to cover spreads this large. Josh Allen is turning the ball over with too great a frequency and the rushing game has been wildly inconsistent. On a short week, there’s not a lot of time to work out kinks. The Bucs, meanwhile, cannot afford to fall too far behind in the NFC South.
Tyler Dragon: Bills 28, Buccaneers 17
Both teams are coming off disappointing losses. The Bucs have lost two straight after starting 2-0. The quick turnaround favors the Bills playing at home. Buffalo has the NFL’s fifth-ranked offense and they average the third most points per game. Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league in points per game.
Safid Deen: Bills 27, Bucs 23
The Bills and Buccaneers both need a bounce-back win Thursday night but give me Josh Allen over Baker Mayfield every single day of an eternity. It’ll be closer than we imagined, but I love Buffalo at home in this one.
Victoria Hernandez: Bills 23, Buccaneers 17
Both teams are coming off disappointing losses and, midway through the season, have proven to be inconsistent. The Bills are at home and have more to prove after an embarrassing loss to the lowly New England Patriots. Stefon Diggs is fourth in the league with 678 receiving yards and had a few impressive plays last week that should count for something in this matchup.
Jordan Mendoza: Bills 22, Buccaneers 16
Ever since that statement win against the Dolphins, it’s been hard to trust Buffalo. The offense has been shaky and has a knack for playing down to lesser opponents. But a primetime game in Buffalo has proven it is tough to win for road opponents. The Bills squeak by, but don’t cover this big point spread.
➤ USA TODAY Sports’ experts’ picks for NFL Week 8
Buccaneers vs. Bills odds
The Bills enter Thursday as 9.5-point favorites, according to BetMGM NFL odds.
‘Thursday Night Football’ betting tips
Highlighting Thursday Night Football odds, the Buffalo Bills are among the best bets for NFL Week 8 in their primetime game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bills are 9.5-point home favorites, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023.
Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs is among the most popular NFL prop bets as a -115 favorite to score a touchdown during Thursday’s game.
According to the top NFL betting apps, Bills quarterback Josh Allen (+1000) boasts some of the best NFL MVP betting odds in 2023. The Bills (+1200) also have some of the best early Super Bowl betting odds.
Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Sunday Night Football odds, Monday Night Football odds and more.
If you’re new to sports betting, don’t worry. We have tips for beginners on how to place a bet online. And USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the online sportsbooks and sports betting sites. — Richard Morin
NFL Week 8 picks, predictions and odds
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