For the second straight week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look impressive defeating the Seattle Seahawks 14-5
Take it in Tampa Bay. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can sniff that final playoff spot at just a half game back. With their second impressive victory in as many weeks, the Buccaneers are a legitimate topic in playoff talks. Although the Tampa Bay pass defense got a bad rap in the beginning of the season, lately they have been playing championship caliber defense, especially against Seahawks. The four turnovers, six sacks and 245 yards they gave up in the game is not only good, it’s playoff bound good.
The Buccaneers came to Raymond James Stadium today ready to play. The best way to take it to a strong defense is to get off to a fast start, and the Bucs offense did just that. Starting off with the ball, Jameis Winston made it a priority to establish a rapport with Mike Evans. Great plan, as the two hooked up three times on the opening drive, including a three-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead. The two would hook up six times for 84 yards and a pair of scores, both of which coming on the Buccaneers first two offensive drives.
Although the offense made the early noise, it was the defense that was the shining star in the first half. Besides holding the Seahawks to just 60 yards of offense in the first half. Of those 60 yards, only one of them was a passing yard. For a team that was struggiling against the pass earlier in the season, the passing defense showed major potential in the first half of a huge game against Seattle. The defense finished the half with four sacks, and interception and a fumble recovery.
After getting out to a 14-0 lead, a little bit of bad luck was bestowed upon the Buccaneers. A offensive holding call on Luke Stocker while Jameis was holding the ball in the end zone resulted in a safety to end the shutout. The Seahawks would then use their ensuing possession, thanks in large to a Bradley McDougald pass interference call, to kick a 43 yard field goal to pull the Seahawks to within nine.
Although the offense fizzled out in the second half, the defense continued its dominance over the Seahawks. The defense pitched an impressive shutout in the second half, forcing another two turnovers in the process. Although the Buccaneers received a scare in the fourth quarter after Jameis Winston threw to a double covered Mike Evans in the end zone, the defense bailed out Winston when Bradley McDougald intercepted a Russell Wilson pass to put the icing on the cake.
Again take it in Tampa Bay, as of right now, the Buccaneers are looking playoff bound.
Up next for the 6-5 Buccaneers is a trip to the west coast to take on the San Diego Chargers who are 5-6 after a 21-13 win over the Houston Texans next Sunday at 4:25 P.M.
