Wow! What a thriller! The Bucs ended up winning an unbelievably wild game at the end of overtime against the Cleveland Browns… but first things first.
The Buccanners defense played a great first half under new defensive coordinator Mark Duffner allowing 0 points. The only points the Bucs did allow came on a safety, as the Bucs were forced to start their first drive of the game on their own 1 yard line and Barber was tackled in the end zone. Other than that, the defense played as better than is has been in a long time. Finally, Tampa Bay was able to create a pass rush, even without Pro Bowler DT Gerald McCoy and starting DE Vinny Curry. The Bucs recorded a total of 5 sacks in the game.
At the half, the Buccaneers seemed to be in control of the game, as they had a 16-2 lead and received the ball to start the second half. However, a costly turnover deep in their own territory by Jameis Winston put the Browns right back into the game. Winston was strip-sacked by Myles Garrett and the fumble was recovered by the Browns, who were able to score on the ensuing drive to make it a one-possession game.
Offensively, Jameis Winston did not have a very good game. He was able to move the ball, and yet he added two interceptions to the lost fumble mentioned earlier. He now has thrown 6 interceptions in 10 quarters of football since he came back from his suspension. One of the interceptions came at a very crucial point in the game, in overtime, where Winston made a rookie mistake and threw a pass right into the hands of a Cleveland linebacker. On the other hand, Winston made a lot of first downs happen with his feet on third down. He ran for a total of 55 yards on 10 carries and also ran it in impressively for a diving touchdown.
The tragic figure of the game for Tampa Bay was, once again, the kicker Chandler Catanzaro. If he had not missed the point after on the Bucs first touchdown, this game might not even have gone into overtime. Then in overtime, Catanzaro had the chance to win the game with a 40-yard field goal, he missed it wide right, again. Thanks to a great defensive stand, including an excellent pass defense by Carlton Davis, Catanzaro and the Bucs were given another chance to win the game, this time with a 59-yard field goal and he nailed it. Final score 26-23. Bucs win!
