Bucs defense shines in win against the Jets.
On a cloudy, windy aternoon in Tampa, the Buccaneers defense showed up and played one of their best games of the season in a 15-10 win over the NY Jets. With the win, the Bucs snapped a five game losing streak to improve to 3-6 on the season. It was not a thing of beauty, but the offense did just enough and the defense showed up big time in the win this afternoon.
A six yard TD pass to Charles Sims from Fitzpatrick with just over six minutes to play sealed the deal for the Bucs as they went up 15-3.
There was a beautiful interception by Brent Grimes. The defense which had eight sacks all season coming into the game collected six against the Jets all by different players in the win. Everyone seemed to get lined up correctly, there were very few misssed tackles. If not for the defense, this game would have gone in the loss column for the Bucs.
The Bucs defense also had their best game of the season on third down conversions as the Jets were only able to convert 3/15. All three third downs that the Jets converted were third and long situations and that has to be a continuing concern. The Bucs defense kept the Jets in check all afternoon until late in the game when Josh McCowan connected with Robby Anderson on a 38 yard TD pass with 1:25 to go.
The offense led by Ryan Fitzpatrick, did just enough to squeak by the Jets. The running game was non-existent until the fourth quarter when the OL was able to create some holes to spring Doug Martin. DeSean Jackson seemed to be the favorite target of Fitzpatrick as he caught six passes for 82 yards. Chris Godwin had his best game as a pro catching five balls for 68 yards filing in for the suspended Mike Evans.
After the kicking debacle with Nick Folk earlier this year, Pat Murray was 3/3 in his FG attempts to help the Bucs get the win.
The other good news to come out of this game is that there were no significant injuries to report, just your normal bumps and bruises after a football game. You could see the relief on Dirk Koetter’s face and in his demeanor after the game in his post game press conference as the Bucs snapped that long losing streak. Koetter admitted himself that this game was not thing of beauty, but you never aploogize for a win.
It was great to see the Bucs defense show up and play like they are capable of playing.
it’s just one in a string of hopefully many more to come in the last half of the season. The Bucs are now on to Miami to make up the game that was postponed the first week of the season due to hurricane Irma. The Dolphins are a lot like the Jets hot and cold and you never know from week to week which Dolphins team will show up.
The Dolphins will have a short week of practice as they will play Monday night in Carolina.
It‘s victory Monday. Been too long since we have had one of these. Enjoy Bucs fans.
