Baker Mayfield throws Hail Mary the perfect distance but Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin agonizingly fails to look up in time and lets the attempt drop to see the Bills hang on for 24-18 win

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were on the cusp of a last-second victory against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night.

Unfortunately, what could have been the perfect Hail Mary play to steal the game was to no avail.

With four seconds left, down 24-18, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield marched backwards as he scanned the field in front of him. After taking a few stuttering steps, Mayfield passed between two Bills defenders before launching the ball forward.

The designated target, if any, could have been Trey Palmer, Chris Godwin or Mike Evans, who were swarmed in the end zone by five blue jerseys.

But as the ball dropped toward Godwin, the wide receiver stood with his back turned, trying to shake off Buffalo’s Terrell Bernard.

Godwin turned and looked up a split second too late. The ball hit the turf and the game was over.

Wide receiver Godwin had his back turned as he tried to shake off Buffalo’s Terrell Bernar

Mayfield’s last second attempt was not caught by Godwin and the Buccaneers lost 24-18

Buffalo built a 17-10 lead at halftime and never trailed again. That was seven more points than the Bills had combined in the first half of their previous three games, two of which they lost.

Having a lead took the pressure off a defense missing three key starters.

Mayfield finished 25 of 42 for 237 yards and two touchdowns, including a 3-yarder to Godwin. Running back Rachaad White led the Bucs with seven catches for 70 yards and had nine carries for 39 yards.

Tampa Bay’s defense was missing both defensive tackles. Vita Vea was ruled out with a groin injury and Logan Hall hurt his groin during pre-match warmups.

Allen took advantage and topped 300 meters for the 23rd time in his career.

Allen said Tuesday that he may be partially responsible for Buffalo’s slow-moving offense after making a conscious decision last month to hold his emotions in check. Allen called it a “low-positive” approach and acknowledged that he may have gone too far in lowering his energy levels.

The only thing subdued about Allen was his touchdown celebration after his 13-yard scoring run. Allen stood in the left corner of the end zone in front of a cheering crowd and casually walked onto the sideline after being congratulated by several teammates.

Josh Allen took advantage of Bucs’ injuries to top 300 yards for the 23rd time in his career

On the play before his TD run, Allen was sacked on the sideline, and that hit sent him to the medical tent to have his shoulder examined. He returned in time for Buffalo’s next drive, but threw an interception when his pass went off the fingers of Antoine Winfield Jr. ricocheted and was caught by defensive lineman William Gholston.

The Buccaneers scored two plays later on Mayfield’s pass to Godwin, tying the game at 10.

The Buccaneers suffered their third consecutive loss. They remain second in the NFC South despite a 3-4 record. The Buccaneers will take on the Houston Texans on November 5.

On the other hand, the Bills are 5-3 in second place in the NFC North ahead of their matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals that same Sunday.