Game summaries
Week 1: at New York Jets
Game information |
First quarter
- Josh Freeman fumble out of bounds in end zone for safety, 8:35. Jets 2–0.
- Mike Williams 17-yard pass from Josh Freeman (Rian Lindell kick), 1:07. Buccaneers 7–2. Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 2:39.
Second quarter
- Nick Folk 43-yard field goal, 11:01. Buccaneers 7–5. Drive: 13 plays, 55 yards, 5:06.
- Doug Martin 5-yard run (Rian Lindell kick), 6:46. Buccaneers 14–5. Drive: 1 play, 5 yards, 0:05.
- Kellen Winslow 7-yard pass from Geno Smith (Nick Folk kick), 0:34. Buccaneers 14–12. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 1:59.
Fourth quarter
- Nick Folk 30-yard field goal, 5:05. Jets 15–14. Drive: 14 plays, 65 yards, 6:20.
- Rian Lindell 37-yard field goal, 0:34. Buccaneers 17–15. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 1:40.
- Nick Folk 48-yard field goal, 0:02. Jets 18–17. Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 0:32.
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Top passers
Top rushers
- TB – Doug Martin – 24 CAR, 65 YDS, TD
- NYJ – Geno Smith – 6 CAR, 47 YDS
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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Tampa Bay took the lead 17–15 with a Rian Lindell field goal with 34 seconds remaining. However, on the ensuing Jets drive, rookie quarterback Geno Smith scrambled for a 10-yard run to the right sideline. A personal foul penalty was called on Lavonte David of the Buccaneers for a late hit out-of-bounds, which advanced the Jets to the Buccaneers 30 yard line. With 2 seconds left in regulation, Nick Folk kicked a 48-yard field goal, and the Jets won the game 18–17.
Week 2: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week Two: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Saints |
10 |
0 |
3 | 3 | 16 |
Buccaneers |
7 |
0 |
0 | 7 | 14 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: September 15
- Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 93 °F (34 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 60,870
- Referee: Bill Leavy
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Erin Andrews
- Recap, Game book
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Tampa Bay took the lead 14–13 after an 85-yard interception return by Mason Foster with just under 13 minutes remaining. In the closing minutes the Buccaneers drove to the New Orleans 29 yard line, and attempted a field goal with 1:10 left. The kick missed, and the Saints took over with just over one minute left. Drew Brees drove the Saints to the Tampa Bay 9 yard line in three plays, and Garrett Hartley kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired.
Week 3: at New England Patriots
Week Three: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Buccaneers |
3 |
0 |
0 | 0 | 3 |
Patriots |
0 |
17 |
3 | 3 | 23 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Date: September 22
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 68,756
- Referee: Jeff Triplette
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Erin Andrews
- Recap, Game book
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Tom Brady threw for 225 yards and two touchdown passes, as New England soundly defeated Tampa Bay 23–3. Josh Freeman was sacked three times, and threw one interception, while Doug Martin was held to only 88 yards rushing.
Week 4: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week Four: Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals |
0 |
0 |
0 | 13 | 13 |
Buccaneers |
7 |
3 |
0 | 0 | 10 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Quarterback Josh Freeman was benched during the week, and Mike Glennon was elevated to the starting role. Glennon led the team to a 10–0 lead after three quarters, but miscues saw Tampa Bay fall late. Early in the 4th quarter, a fumble of the hand-off from Glennon to Doug Martin set up an Arizona field goal. With 3:23 left in the game, Glennon, deep in his own territory, threw a costly interception, which set up an Arizona touchdown, and a brief 10–10 tie. With 1:33 left in regulation, Arizona kicked the game-winning field goal to win 13–10.
Week 6: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week Six: Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Eagles |
7 |
7 |
7 | 10 | 31 |
Buccaneers |
3 |
14 |
0 | 3 | 20 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Eagles quarterback Nick Foles threw three touchdown passes and ran for another, as Philadelphia defeated Tampa Bay 31–20. The Buccaneers fell to 0–6.
Week 7: at Atlanta Falcons
Week Seven: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Buccaneers |
0 |
10 |
7 | 6 | 23 |
Falcons |
7 |
17 |
0 | 7 | 31 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: October 20
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 69,522
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Molly McGrath
- Recap, Game book
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
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Top receivers
Top tacklers
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Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns, as Atlanta defeated Tampa Bay 31–23. The Buccaneers attempted to rally in the fourth quarter, but managed only two field goals. A failed onside kick by Tampa Bay with 1:55 left sealed the win for Atlanta.
Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week Eight: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Panthers |
7 |
7 |
7 | 10 | 31 |
Buccaneers |
3 |
3 |
0 | 7 | 13 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
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Top receivers
Top tacklers
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Cam Newton threw for 221 yards and two touchdown passes, and rushed for another touchdown, as Carolina defeated Tampa Bay 31–13. The Buccaneers failed to enter the red zone until the final three minutes of the game. Doug Martin sat out with an injured shoulder, and with the loss, Tampa Bay fell to 0–7.
Week 9: at Seattle Seahawks
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top tacklers
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Winless Tampa Bay shocked first place Seattle by jumping out to a 21–0 lead just before halftime. However, the Seahawks came back in the second half to tie the game and force overtime. Tampa Bay won the coin toss in overtime, but went 3-and-out on their first possession. Seattle kicked a field goal on the next possession, and completed their greatest comeback (21 points) in franchise history.
This dropped the Buccaneers to 0–8 on the season. They also shared that start with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Due to a Jaguars victory over the Titans in Week 8, the Buccaneers became the NFL's only winless team.
Week 10: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week Ten: Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Dolphins |
0 |
7 |
12 | 0 | 19 |
Buccaneers |
10 |
5 |
0 | 7 | 22 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
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Top tacklers
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The Buccaneers defense allowed a franchise low 2 rushing yards, besting the previous record set last season during the home opener, when the Buccaneers rushing defense held Carolina to 10 rushing yards. Darrelle Revis caught the game winning interception off a desperation pass from Ryan Tannehill, and the Buccaneers won their first game of the season against the Miami Dolphins.
Week 11: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week Eleven: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons |
0 |
6 |
7 | 15 | 28 |
Buccaneers |
3 |
21 |
14 | 3 | 41 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
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Bobby Rainey rushed for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns. Vincent Jackson caught 10 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown. Gerald McCoy had 3 sacks in the game. Mike Glennon threw for 2 touchdowns. Mason Foster and Dashon Goldson both had an interception. Dekoda Watson blocked a punt.
Week 12: at Detroit Lions
Week Twelve: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Buccaneers |
3 |
14 |
0 | 7 | 24 |
Lions |
0 |
14 |
7 | 0 | 21 |
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford threw four interceptions, as Tampa Bay upset Detroit 24–21. The Buccaneers became the first team since 1978 to start the season 0–8 and win their next three games. Stafford was leading the Lions on a potential game-winning or game-tying drive in the final minute. At the Tampa Bay 28 yard line with 1:00 left, Stafford threw to Calvin Johnson at the 3 yard line. Johnson appeared to catch the ball, but it was stripped out and fell into the hands of Johnthan Banks for an interception, and sealed the win for Tampa Bay.
Week 13: at Carolina Panthers
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Cam Newton threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for another touchdown, as Carolina soundly defeated Tampa Bay 27–6, sweeping the season series. With the loss, the Buccaneers were officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week Fourteen: Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Bills |
3 |
0 |
3 | 0 | 6 |
Buccaneers |
14 |
10 |
3 | 0 | 27 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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Bobby Rainey scored an 80-yard rushing touchdown on the second play of the game and rushed for 127 yards total. On offense Mike Glennon threw two touchdown passes, one each to Vincent Jackson and Tim Wright. The Buccaneers defense had seven sacks and four interceptions, two by Lavonte David. On special teams, Dashon Goldson recovered a fumble muffed by the punt returner.
Week 15: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week Fifteen: San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
49ers |
7 |
10 |
3 | 13 | 33 |
Buccaneers |
0 |
7 |
0 | 7 | 14 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: December 15
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 64,142
- Referee: Scott Green
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Ronde Barber and Kris Budden
- Recap, Game book
Game information |
First quarter
- SF – TD (7:05) Michael Crabtree 4 yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson XP)
Second quarter
- SF – FG (6:12) Phil Dawson 47 yard field goal
- SF – TD (1:47) Vernon Davis 52 yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson XP)
- TB – TD (0:29) Vincent Jackson 11 yard pass from Mike Glennon (Rian Lindell XP)
Third quarter
- SF – FG (7:51) Phil Dawson 43 yard field goal
Fourth quarter
- TB – TD (14:54) Tim Wright 24 yard pass from Mike Glennon (Rian Lindell XP)
- SF – FG (4:27) Phil Dawson 21 yard field goal
- SF – TD (4:21) Kendall Hunter 2 yard return of fumbled kickoff return (Phil Dawson XP)
- SF – FG (2:49) Phil Dawson 35 yard field goal
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Top passers
- SF – Colin Kaepernick – 19/29, 203 yards, 2 TDs
- TB – Mike Glennon – 18/34, 179 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Top rushers
- SF – Frank Gore – 22 rushes, 86 yards
- TB – Bobby Rainey – 11 rushes, 27 yards
Top receivers
- SF – Vernon Davis – 5 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD
- TB – Tim Wright – 7 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD
Top tacklers
- SF – Patrick Willis – 5 tackles, 1 sack
- TB – Dekoda Watson – 10 tackles, 2 assists
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Vincent Jackson and Tim Wright caught the only two offensive touchdowns for the game. On defense, Gerald McCoy and Adrian Clayborn had the only sacks for the bucs defense. On special teams, Eric Page handed a ball to Russell Sheppard on a tricky play during the kick return and Sheppard fumbled which caused the 49ers to recover and score a touchdown.
With the loss, the Buccaneers dropped their record to 4-10.
Week 16: at St. Louis Rams
Week Sixteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Buccaneers |
7 |
3 |
3 | 0 | 13 |
Rams |
0 |
14 |
3 | 6 | 23 |
at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
- Date: December 22
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 54,423
- Referee: John Parry
- TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Game book
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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On offense, Bobby Rainey scored the only touchdown of the game. On defense, Gerald McCoy had a sack. Also Adrian Clayborn and Dekoda Watson both forced fumbles which Lavonte David and Keith Tandy both successfully recovered for the Buccaneers defense. On special teams, Ryan Lindell scored 2 field goals.
Week 17: at New Orleans Saints
Week Seventeen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
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1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Buccaneers |
7 |
7 |
3 | 0 | 17 |
Saints |
14 |
14 |
7 | 7 | 42 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: December 29
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 73,150
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Game book
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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On offense Mike Glennon threw 2 touchdowns passes to Tiquan Underwood and Tim Wright. On defense, Adrain Clayborn had the only sack. On special teams, Ryan Lindell made a 54-yard field goal.