Ira’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Seahawks
November 27th, 2016
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Demar Dotson, the longest-tenured Buccaneer, said it was the best defensive performance he has seen since joining the team in 2009. It’s hard to argue with the big man after Russell Wilson was limited to a 38.8 passer rating in Sunday’s 14-5 triumph. That’s not a passer rating — that’s the overnight temperature in Seattle. Enjoy these 10 tasty fat-free holiday appetizers:
* When I mentioned to Warren Sapp after the game that it was a defensive effort worthy of 2002, the Hall of Famer nodded in agreement. Between the passionate crowd and the inspired defense, it felt like the glory days along Dale Mabry.
* Jameis Winston can’t believe he is still being asked why he targets Mike Evans so often. Winston is right … those questions need to stop right now. Seattle’s vaunted secondary, missing elite safety Earl Thomas, had no answers for No. 13, who beat Richard Sherman cleanly down the left sidelines for his second TD catch of the opening quarter. Evans has earned a lucrative contract extension, along with the attention of Pro Bowl voters.
* Let’s hear it for Bryan Anger, whose outstanding punting played a critical role in a low-scoring game the Bucs simply had to have. Anger placed all four of his kicks inside the 20 and he has proven to be a savvy free-agent signing.
* The Seahawks thrive on their physicality and Dotson labeled them as Northwest bullies. Pete Carroll’s club is good and the Seahawks know they’re good, but Tampa Bay won the majority of the trench battles. While Winston wasn’t sacked in 28 throws, Wilson was under siege from the start, dropped six times and hit on 11 other occasions.
* How special was Tampa Bay’s defense? Seattle’s longest drive of the day was a 49-yard march that took 10 plays in the final minutes, ending with an interception by a rejuvenated Bradley McDougald. The only third down the Seahawks converted all day came just before the 2-minute warning.
* I assume even Miko Grimes has no quibble with Buc fans after Sunday’s turnout. Seattle is famous for having a 12th man at home, but Tampa Bay supporters who showed up deserve a bow. Next man up at Raymond James Stadium is Drew Brees and the Saints in two weeks … another loud challenge.
* Doug Martin has looked better each week since returning from that serious hamstring injury. He gained 87 yards on the ground and helped Dirk Koetter maintain offensive balance with 35 runs and 28 passes. The Bucs are 5-0 this season when they have more than 30 rushing attempts.
* Tampa Bay’s three-game winning streak, fueled by stout defense, has resurrected the reputation of coordinator Mike Smith. After yielding 73 points in back-to-back losses against Oakland and Atlanta, the Bucs have allowed only 32 points in the past three weeks, with nine takeaways and 10 sacks. Smith’s group has gone from passive to aggressive and Buc fans are loving the mood swing.
* Except for an ill-advised throw that was intercepted in the end zone by Kam Chancellor with 4:06 remaining, Winston continued his stellar play. He carved up the NFL’s No. l scoring defense in the opening quarter with sharp passes and smart decisions in building a 14-0 advantage against a team that had allowed only 27 first-quarter points all season.
* The Bucs won’t talk about it publicly, but I will. The P-word is alive and well, with the Bucs in the thick of the NFC playoff chase at 6-5. Except for the 10-1 Cowboys, the rest of Tampa Bay’s opponents are a combined 19-25. After Sunday’s dynamic effort, the Bucs have to be asking the million dollar question: why not us?
November 27th, 2016 at 9:30 pm
Verner also had a great game.
November 27th, 2016 at 9:34 pm
Play like you have the last three weeks, play with anyone.
November 27th, 2016 at 9:48 pm
i am sorry, but jw3 cannot keep throwing dumb picks forcing balls to me13 with other folks wide open.
November 27th, 2016 at 10:14 pm
Hey satch, sorry we didn’t pick your boy Mariota, but the rest of us are ecstatic to have this guy. Just go root for TN
November 27th, 2016 at 10:31 pm
Some fans will never be happy.
November 27th, 2016 at 10:33 pm
@TDTB- the criticism of Winston is warranted he only has 2 turnover free games all year. Both Winston and Mariota look to be good but if this team is gonna be serious about getting to the post season Winston needs to play better. The bad turnover could’ve turned out worse.
November 27th, 2016 at 10:34 pm
The Bucs are baaaaack!!!
November 27th, 2016 at 10:35 pm
Also I get tired of hearing MM he’s trash in my eyes have the titans beaten a team with a good record heck they can’t get past the. Colts come on man
November 27th, 2016 at 11:07 pm
We still need a WR2 our offense would be so dynamic. Emanual Sanders would be perfect for this team.
November 27th, 2016 at 11:37 pm
I was at the 2002 divisional playoff game against the Niners, never saw a more dominant defense…..until today. We all know how that 2002 squad finished the season…..
November 28th, 2016 at 12:30 am
The helpless Bucs are gone. I remember so many times in the past we could win but we didn’t. It really feels different to see a team that plays like they want to win every week. It’s so nice to have a franchise quarterback now
November 28th, 2016 at 2:41 am
The Bucs are 5-2 in their last 7, and that includes the OT loss to Oakland who is now 9-2. Next week will make or break the season – going west after a big home win normally means the Bucs will lose in humiliating fashion, if they can beat San Diego they’ll be 7-5 overall and wow, that would be awesome.
Also congrats to Dirk. He was an absolute disaster earlier in the season – things like not using his timeouts (Rams), not knowing the rules (Carolina), quitting on his team (Denver) – it seems like from a coaching side that bye week did him an amazing amount of good. Maybe Mike Smith sat down with him, or perhaps he just figured it out on his own – but he’s been doing a great job lately, hopefully he keeps it up.
November 28th, 2016 at 5:13 am
Wow, what a game by the D, to keep that team to a field goal is a tremendous feat. Safeties played well and that fumble caused by our duo Alexander and LVD was game clincher!!! Welcome back Verner, game ball for your play, especially after your pops passes.
November 28th, 2016 at 8:09 am
Still want to see the carries spread out a little more, Martin will be injured again in no time if they keep this up.
Winston absolutely cannot throw that jump ball at that point of the game, take the underneath route and take the three points.
For as awesome as the defense was the whole game, the offense sh!t the bed for the last 3/4 of the game. They have to find a way to at least manufacture field goals in a game like that, and you can’t continue to have poor clock management before halftime.
I’m not trying to be a Debby Downer, I just know this team could be better. The defense is beginning to look like a playoff caliber unit, the offense needs to be more consistent throughout the game, and alot of that needs to be Winston knowing when to hold back a little bit and Dirk doing a better job calling plays on 3rd and shorts. As good as we’ve been on 3rd down, we aren’t doing worth a damn in 3rd and short situations.
All in all, the arrow is finally pointing up for this team. Keep the foot on the gas for this cross country trip.
November 28th, 2016 at 9:52 am
Happy and proud to say I witnessed this dominant defining victory and boy did I help bring the noise. Section 310. White Winston jersey. I yelled i jumped i screamed i pulled the Bucs fans next to me to their feet when needed.
My voice is gone
November 28th, 2016 at 12:54 pm
We can’t put all the blame on Wilson if we can’t make field goals/extra points. I understand him forcing the ball if all we’re going to do is miss anyway