Former Buccaneers star stunned after team gives up 44 points to Bills
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were looking to avoid losing two straight coming out of their bye week in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills, but things unfortunately did not work out that way, as they will head into Week 12 after losing 44-32.
The 44 points put up by the Bills is not something that usually happens against a Todd Bowles-led defense. Many fans have voiced their concern about the defense during and following the game, and that also includes former Tampa Bay legend Gerald McCoy, who summed up the defense's afternoon with a simple "44 points" and a face-palm emoji.
Nov 16, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images / Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
The Buccaneers held the Bills' offense, led by Josh Allen and James Cook, in check to start the game, but after the first quarter, everything fell apart.
Tampa Bay hadn't allowed more than 40 points during the Bowles era, so it can be a bit concerning moving forward, albeit going up against last season's MVP. The last time the Bucs' defense allowed more than 40 points was when the Seattle Seahawks beat them 40-34 in overtime back in 2019.
While the defense was solid in some areas, like limiting the Bills' rushing attack to under 100 yards and the first career interception from Jacob Parrish, it was mostly picked on for much of the day by Allen, who had yet another record-setting day, throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for three as well.
It's difficult not to be upset with the performance by the defense against the Bills like McCoy is. The Bucs struggled in coverage throughout the day in the back-and-forth affair, especially once Jamel Dean, who is arguably the best corner in the league this season, left the game due to a hip injury.
With Dean out, rookie Benjamin Morrison stepped in, but he once again had a poor performance. Morrison getting more playing time has been a talking point since Week 10's loss to the Patriots, where he struggled, so the hope is that Dean's injury isn't serious.
The road doesn't get any easier for the Bucs defense in Week 12 as they make the cross-country trip to Los Angeles, where they will take on a surging Rams team.
"IT WAS NOT A FAIR WIN!" — Cardinal head coach Jonathan Gannon ACCUSES 49ers of using ILLEGAL tactics after 22-41 loss, calling it "A dishonorable win." Brock Purdy fires back, sparking NFL chaos!
The San Francisco 49ers dominated the Arizona Cardinals with a decisive 41-22 victory, but the aftermath of the game has been anything but ordinary. Emotions ran high on the sidelines and in the press room.
Fans celebrated a strong performance, praising the precision of the offense and the tenacity of the defensive line. Analysts noted the team’s cohesion, which seemed nearly flawless despite the challenging weather conditions at State Farm Stadium.
Cardinal head coach Jonathan Gannon, however, quickly took center stage, visibly upset after the final whistle. He called the outcome into question, highlighting moments he believed undermined the fairness of the game.
“It was not a fair win! This game crossed lines that should never be crossed. It was a dishonorable win,” Gannon exclaimed, his voice echoing across the post-game press conference, sparking immediate controversy.
The comments did not sit well with 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who responded with measured but firm words. Purdy emphasized the team’s hard work and adherence to the rules throughout the matchup.
“We played within the rules. Every play, every drive was earned on the field. Respecting the game is paramount, and we did exactly that,” Purdy stated, drawing both applause and criticism from the media.
Pundits on live broadcasts debated Gannon’s allegations extensively, with former players weighing in. Many noted that while refereeing can always be questioned, the 49ers’ statistical dominance suggested a legitimate performance.
Footage from the game showed explosive plays by Purdy and George Kittle, including multiple third-down conversions and crucial touchdowns that widened the gap early in the second quarter.
Social media erupted with divided opinions. Fans of the 49ers celebrated the win as historic, while Cardinals supporters expressed outrage, amplifying the drama across platforms and fueling a trending NFL debate.
NFL officials have acknowledged Gannon’s complaint but have yet to indicate whether they will launch an investigation. Analysts predict the league will review game tape carefully before making any statement.
Meanwhile, the 49ers are already looking ahead. Purdy’s leadership and Kittle’s receiving prowess will be key as the team prepares for its next challenging matchup, with fans expecting no letdown despite the surrounding chaos.
As the controversy simmers, one thing is clear: the fallout from this game will continue to dominate headlines. The clash between strategy, skill, and perception has turned a regular season matchup into a league-wide debate.
