Buffalo Bills found 'special' secret weapon during Week 11 win over Buccaneers

The Buffalo Bills' return game was at its best on Sunday, leading to positive field position time and again during the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Nov 16, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (22) runs the ball against Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Kaevon Merriweather (26) during the second quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

One of the significant factors that led to the Buffalo Bills' acquisition of wide receiver Mecole Hardman leading into their Week 11 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was his ability in the return game.

And through one game, there have already been signs of promise, albeit with a slight bump in the road.

“Very impressed,” said Head Coach Sean McDermott of Hardman's performance against the Buccaneers. “That was the vision.”

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Mecole Hardman with a 61-yard kickoff return in his Bills debut

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Entering Sunday’s game, the Bills’ return game was lacking, having recorded an average starting field position of their own 28.5-yard line. But against Tampa Bay, Buffalo’s average starting field position jumped to their own 36.8-yard line, thanks in large part to the efforts of Hardman and fellow returner Ray Davis.

Before a costly fumble later in the game, Hardman helped set up the Bills’ first scoring drive of the game with a 61-yard kick return, outrunning defenders to give Buffalo a drive start at the Tampa Bay 36-yard line.

“Explosive, really explosive,” said McDermott of Hardman. “Great signing by (General Manager Brandon Beane) and his staff. I mean, you felt it. Very first one, it’s like he was shot out of a cannon.”

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Oct 13, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (22) runs after the catch for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Later, Davis recorded two returns of 44 yards and another for 41 yards. The Bills’ previous long return this season was 41 yards recorded by Brandon Codrington, who has since been released.

“Ray Davis stepped in and certainly did his part,” McDermott added.

After his fumble, it appeared Hardman had been benched, but he was later ruled out with a calf injury.

“I feel good,” said Hardman postgame. “Calf hurt a little bit. Figure it out tomorrow, see how it goes and go from there.”

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He added, “Wanted to get back out there and redeem myself, but, you know, just can’t really go, put no pressure on it or really even run. So there’s no point in trying to go out there and, you know, make it worse.”

If Hardman can heal up quickly, he and Davis could combine to be the team’s secret weapon on special teams down the stretch of the regular season. Things have been relatively uninspiring for Chris Tabor in his first year as Bills special teams coordinator. But with Hardman’s influx of speed, Tabor's unit may be on its way to getting things turned around. 

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