Super Wild Card Weekend has been nothing short of entertaining thus far. That didn’t end until the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stopped the Washington Football Team one last time inside the two-minute warning. The Buccaneers would win their first playoff game since the 2002 Super Bowl. Here’s how the game unfolded.
Quarter One
The Buccaneers start with the football, and the opportunity to start the game fast. After a promising drive, Tampa Bay stalls in the red zone. Ryan Succop converts on a 29-yard field goal to give the Buccaneers a 3-0 lead.
A drop by Washington leads to a three and out, and Brady will get another opportunity to score.
After a big play to Cam Sims, Sean Murphy-Bunting gets the interception off a tipped pass.
The Tampa Bay offense converts off the turnover with a touchdown pass to Antonio Brown. Unfortunately, the extra point was blocked, but the Buccaneers still lead by two possessions.
Score: 9-0
Quarter Two
Taylor Heinicke looks calm in the pocket as he Washington into the red zone. A J.D. McKissic touchdown from three yards out brings the score to 9-7 with 12:59 left in the half.
On the other side, Tom Brady executes the play-action to perfection, hitting Chris Godwin 27 yards downfield for a touchdown. The two-point conversion comes on short on a Fournette run, so the score remains at one possession, 15-7 Buccaneers lead.
After a Washington punt, the Buccaneers answer with a drive down to the seven-yard line. Ryan Succop is called on to kick a field goal, giving Tampa Bay an 18-7 lead with under two minutes remaining.
On a clear sack-fumble recovered by Shaq Barrett, the booth didn’t see enough to award the Buccaneers the ball. Regardless, Tampa Bay goes into the half with an 18-7 lead.
Score: 18-7
Quarter Three
On what should have been a red-zone interception by Jordan Whitehead, Washington is forced to kick a field goal to make it a one-possession game. Tampa Bay will try to at least match leading 18-10.
After a few back and forth possessions, rookie Ke’Shawn Vaughn coughs up the ball in Washington territory.
It doesn’t seem as though the defense has shown up today. The XFL backup Taylor Heinicke scored on a scramble to the pylon. Fortunately, Washington fails to score on the two-point conversion, and the Buccaneers lead 18-16.
Score: 18-16
Quarter Four
Heinicke leaves the game on third down due to an apparent injury, giving the keys to Steven Montez. Brady and company drive right down the field and powers in the end zone with Leonard Fournette.
Tampa Bay fans can finally breathe with a 28-16 lead.
In a change of plans, it looks like Heinicke comes out of the locker room and enters the game for Washington.
Heinicke makes it look easy, driving right down the field for a touchdown to Steven Sims. Washington leads 28-23 with 4:51 remaining. Crunch time for Tom Brady.
Brady hits Evans deep, and then Fournette delivers with a big run. But Brady is sacked and pushed out of field goal range. A big gain by Chris Godwin gives Ryan Succop a 37-yard field goal to give the Buccaneers an eight-point lead. 31-23 with 2:49 remaining.
Lavonte David delivers on third down with a sack to force a fourth and 21. Pressure by Pierre-Paul forces a hail marry by Heinicke, which is batted down. The Buccaneers win 31-23 and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs.
