With the season coming to an end this upcoming Sunday, we take a look at the three games from this season that made us fall in love with the Buccaneers once again. It’s no secret that the Bucs season didn’t go as planned, as there were some surprise losses and injury concerns the team had to deal with. However, the team has done t’s best in troubled waters and is thriving amid the bumps in the road. What I appreciated about this Bucs season is that there was always a chance that the Bucs would be in a dogfight with the other team, meaning that it wasn’t always certain they would blow the next team out. This made the games a lot more interesting to watch and kept you on the edge of your seat.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this season, even through all the ups and downs, as it has encompassed what being a true Bucs fan is really all about. Sure, the team may have a bad day, but the underlying belief that we are the best team in the NFL is always there. In saying that, let’s take a look at the greatest three games from the current Buccaneers season. Without further ado, let’s jump right in.
Home-Opener Against the Cowboys
Although the Bucs showed some rust in this game, the team ended up defeating the Cowboys in the final minutes of the game. The Cowboys were inching at our heels for the better part of the game, but it was a stingy Buccaneers defense that delivered the win for us in the fourth quarter. Devin White and Lavonte David combined for 13 tackles in the win, while Shaq Barrett registered a sack as well. The defensive effort was outstanding in this game, even though Dak and the Cowboys were able to put up 29 points.
In the end, Tom Brady and his magic were what ultimately got us across the finish line. His two-touchdown throws in the second quarter would prove to be the difference. He started the season with a 379-yard outing, as well as putting up four touchdowns in the win. In terms of receiving, Antonio Brown had an absolutely stellar game, posting 121 receiving yards on only five catches.
What made this game so great was the uncertainty leading up to the end. I remember watching and thinking, “wow, the Cowboys could really steal this game away from us in the final seconds”. Thankfully, things turned out differently.
Win at Colts
This season, Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts has been an absolute revelation, posting rushing numbers that would make some of the all-time greats blush. This season Taylor has posted (as of this article) 1734 rushing yards, as well as 18 rushing touchdowns. The stat that blows my mind the most is the fact that he has had 10 games of 100+ yards this season.
During his game against the Buccaneers this season, however, he did not register at least 100 rushing yards. Instead, he was outdueled by fellow running back and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Leonard Fournette. The Louisiana native was having an inconsistent season for the Bucs before this game, but he proved just how effective he can be in this game.
Fournette rushed for 100 yards in this game, making clutch play after clutch play. If it wasn’t for him and his theatrics, this game would have turned out completely different. This was also the game where he scored a season-high in touchdowns, with three in the game. I’ve been pretty harsh on the Bucs running game this season but Fournette pleasantly surprised me in this game, and he was the main driving force in our 38-31 win over the Colts.
Overtime Win against the Buffalo Bills
Leonard Fournette shined once again in this overtime thriller that kept us on the edge of our seats. Josh Allen and the Bills completely ran through our defense in this game, causing us to be tied for the entirety of the game. It took Tom Brady throwing 363 yards and Fournette rushing for 113 yards to elevate us past the Bills.
This game was so great in my opinion because firstly, it went to overtime, which is always the mark of a great game. Also, the Bills were the closest thing we had faced to a playoff team, so I really wanted to see how the Buccaneers would fare in this one. It’s safe to say that they rose to the challenge.
Which was your favorite game from this season? Let me know in the comments below!