Buccaneers Clip Cardinals 20-17

Yes, it shouldn’t have been that close, yes the Offense looks more like a jalopy instead of a Mercedes and yes the Defense still let’s their foot off the gas at the worst possible times BUT I’ll never be that upset over a win.

Sitting in the stands for the first time since the playoff loss to the Commanders last January, it was  great being back “home!”

Rather than talking about the specifics of the game, I’ll use this space to talk about my experience at RayJay.

I attended the game with a Bucs fan from Jacksonville who hasn’t been to a home game since before Covid. We arrived at 1030 and did a walk around the stadium. We also went to Bucs beach to see the drum line and flag wavers get us pumped for the game.

Typically there is anywhere from 25 to 50% representation from the visitors. It’s something that irritates me but I’ve come to accept that it’s just the way it is. However, yesterday I think I spotted maybe 10 Arizona jerseys and none in section 120 which is where I sat.

From the National Anthem, to the recognition of the military to the helicopter flyover everything was spectacular. At halftime they put Simeon Rice into the Bucs ring of honor and seeing players like Brooks, Barber and Sapp along with Jon Gruden made the day very special. Simeon belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame but he seemed very touched to be forever remembered as a legend in Tampa.

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Our seats were in the corner of the endzone and we had a great view of the field.  I’ve sat in many different sections in that stadium and never complained about the view.

When Bucky scored his TD and threw the ball into the stands, it  landed about 5 feet from where we were sitting.

Both Bucky and Chris Godwin Jr. were instrumental in the Bucs win and it was nice to see them contributing because the team really needs them now to step up. Hearing chants of “Bucky, Bucky, Bucky” really has been missed.

Our section really made the game fun and we all stood up on every 3rd down to create some extra noise when Buccaneers were on Defense. I’d say the stadium was about 3/4 full today.

The  Defense stopped a potential Cardinals game winning TD or tying FG with just over a minute left in the game to seal the win.  The Buccaneers played the “opposite” of complimentary football today as they went up 17-3 and 20-10 but each time they did, the Defense couldn’t stop Arizona from pulling to within 1 score.

The Offense should have put the game away after the Defense stopped Arizona on downs in the 4th quarteron but couldn’t even get 1 yard!  Thankfully they were bailed out by a 57 yard Chase McLaughlin FG to go up 20-10.

As the clock wound down to 0 the fans left the stadium somewhat subdued but I was happy.   After losing 3 games in a row, I got to see a win.

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At the end of the year they don’t ask “how” , they ask how many! The Buccaneers still sit atop their division at 7-5. They hold a 1/2 game lead over the Carolina Panthers and must win their next 2 games if they want to win their Division.

Thanks to Teressa, Ed, Dean, Tommy and Nikki for making it so special. See you in 7 days Tampa!

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