Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
The Buccaneers and Rams will face off at Raymond James Stadium this afternoon. Leo Howell will keep you caught up on the action! You can join in the discussion in the comments section below, or by tweeting Leo by clicking here.
The Rams will force another turnover on downs, and with that, I will begin my recap post. Stay tuned to Pewter Plank for the wrapup, and discussion all through the week!
Bucs are taking it slow, and they’ve pretty much run out of time. With only 2 timeouts, the Bucs try for the end zone and miss. 3rd down, under 3 to go.
The Rams giving the Bucs everything over the middle, and Josh is padding his stats.
Bucs into Rams territory. Moving the ball in chunks, which is something that the Bucs lacked all day.
Doug Martin with a couple of short catches as the Bucs work the ball down the field slowly. Better than the insistence upon deep routes we had seen.
“@CommishOnline
Enjoyed the loud Tebow chants in @RJStadium today!! Lol”
Five and a half minutes to go, and yet another opportunity for Tampa Bay on offense.
The interception was on a tipped ball, and Josh wasn’t the true culprit. But on a day like today, it’s not a huge surprise. Bucs defense does well enough to get the ball back, but start deep in their own end of the field.
And a batted ball is picked off, and the Bucs turn it back over. Sigh.
Seriously tho, who do we need to talk to about a Josh Freeman Play60 Commercial/Pep Talk from the kid in the Cam Newton commercial?
Bucs have the ball, and over 80 yards stands between them and a 1 score game. Josh has had plenty of chances to redeem himself, and has been getting time to throw as the game as gone on.
Bucs are able to stop the Rams on 3rd down, so with a little under 10 to go, the Bucs will take over down by 15.
Under 10 to go in the 4th, and the Rams have a 3rd and short which will be crucial for the Bucs.
Steven Jackson doing what he does best, and is running hard against the Bucs D that’s been fighting very hard all day long.
The Rams are able to run for a first down and get out of the shadow of their goal post.
The Rams D is coming up big in big moments in this game. Laurinaitis has been huge for them all day. Shows the value of a great middle linebacker.
“JoeBucsFan @JoeBucsFan
Why in the world are you throwing to Doug Martin at the 10-yard line when you have to get the ball in the end zone???”
The Bucs throw underneath to Doug Martin on 4th and goal, and Martin cannot get into the end zone…
And Zuttah is hurt on the play.
Mike Williams had to play DB on the third down play. Interesting to see the playcall on fourth down, especially since the Bucs spent a valuable timeout to set up for it.
3rd down fade route is underthrown and could have been picked. Bucs going for it on fourth down and use a timeout.
Freeman misfires to Jackson on 2nd and goal. Throws it way too high. Missed an open running lane and an open Doug Martin. Too much focus on Jackson/Williams.
Jackson was wiiiide open on the third down play.
Inside the 10, first and goal. Fade route thrown and it’s not a catchable ball.
Vincent Jackson with a big play! 3rd and 10 and the Bucs get down into the red zone.
The Bucs miss on a couple of pass plays as the offense bails on Doug Martin, and it’s 3rd and 10.
Completed pass to Jackson, and it’s a first down for the Bucs.
Nine yards on first down for Martin, good to see the offense isn’t in panic mode yet. Use your best players!
Bucs take over with what will be one of their last chances to get back into this game. Down 15 in the fourth.
In no one cares news: I have bombed out of my last fantasy league.
Bucs get the ball back at their own 30 with around 14 and a half minutes left.
Bucs force an incomplete pass on 3rd down as a good pass rush forces Bradford to misfire.
Bradford has lost all of his accuracy as well, and this has turned into a good old fashioned QB fail-off.
The punt and a Rams run bring us to the 4th, and the Rams have totally let off the gas. Bucs D needs to bail out Josh here.
The third down pass was another “miscommunication”. These are happening way too much, is Josh the problem here?
Freeman overthrows his target on third down, and boos ring down as the punter takes the field once again.
The Bucs apparently think there’s no time left, as they are throwing it downfield and not connecting. Just missed an interception on 2nd down.
3rd down for the Rams after the turnover on downs. He misses Gibson, and the Bucs will get the ball back. Approaching the end of the 3rd, Bucs still down 15.
Ted Larsen and the guards were frozen in place, and Josh had no seam to plow through, and no push from the line to go up and over.
Can’t blame the Bucs for going for it. Nothing left to play for but a win, so might as well do for it.
According to Bucs radio, the refs had switched out the live ball for the kicking ball, which prevented a quick sneak play which the Bucs wanted.
It was a very long 4th and 1, and Freeman had no surge in front of him.
QB sneak on 4th down, and it looks like Josh didn’t get the needed yard.
On third and short, Freeman has to throw it away. They’re going to go for it on fourth down after the play action pass gives Josh no options.
Josh had plenty of time to throw on the big play inside the red zone to Williams. Bucs have a 3rd and 1 inside the 10.
Josh trying to bounce back, and after being bailed out by a great catch by Luke Stocker, he connects with Mike Williams in the red zone. Bucs getting chunks of yards here.
The Bucs convert the third down, and can hopefully keep moving the ball. Mike Williams over 100 yards for the day.
Martin with a good gain on second down, sets up third and short.
Bucs start the ensuing drive with a play action pass to Lorig for no gain. At least it was complete!
Bucs didn’t have a return man on the punt. Will take over at their own 31.
3rd and 13 from the 3, and the Rams decide to run the ball. Playing it safe to give it back to the Bucs.
Rams get plenty of yards on second down, but there’s a holding call. Rams buried deep in Bucs territory. 2nd down from the Bucs 3.
“Stephen Holder @HolderStephen
#Bucs CBs right now are Anthony Gaitor and Danny Gorrer. Leonard Johnson and — apparently — EJ Biggers hurt. Bucs havent updated Biggers”
28-13 Rams. Buccaneers need to get the ball back quickly and put more points on the board. Rams starting with poor field position.
“Tampa Bay Buccaneers @TBBuccaneers
Josh Freeman’s 61-yard TD pass to Mike Williams is his 26th of the season, tying Brad Johnson’s 2003 record.”
Well, at least there’s that.
Williams was being covered by Jenkins, cut across the middle, and had linebackers chasing him once he made the catch. He did the rest for 61 yards.
Mike Williams with a long touchdown on 3rd and short, Bucs brought in a jumbo package and ran playaction.
Well, at least we can score touchdowns.
Some Twitter conversation about Mike Williams effort on the field the past week or so. Certainly something to keep an eye on and discuss this week.
Rams ran Austin Pettis right at Ahmad Black, and the linebackers weren’t short in coverage to help, they were biting on the playfake. Easy throw and catch.
Once again, the run fake burns the Buccaneers defense.
Leonard Johnson is injured on first down, and on second down the Rams score an easy touchdown.
Rams in the red zone and driving. Down inside the 10 as Bradford continues to pick apart the defense. Bradford is proving to be the more consistent of two inconsistent QB’s.
“Stephen Holder @HolderStephen
I have never seen a team and its quarterback fall apart this fast. #Bucs outscored 62-6 in past 7 quarters. Freeman w 7 picks in that span”
Here’s hoping we can slow down the Luke McCown led Falcons next week, otherwise the Buccaneers are looking at a 10 loss season.
It was a 3rd and 4, and Josh stares down Mike Williams. Rams DB jumps the route perfectly.
Well, he’s easy to defend for other teams. Tough to defend his worth and future as a quarterback.
And Freeman throws yet another pick. Boos ring out. He’s becoming tougher and tougher to defend.
“jasoncollette @jasoncollette
Good job, good effort Bucs”
We’ve pretty much reached this point of the season.
21-6 Rams, early 3rd quarter.
Kendricks lined up on the line, ran right between the hashes, and the safeties were otherwise occupied. Easy touchdown, no resistance whatsoever.
Bradford pass on first down, and Lance Kendricks with an 80 yard touchdown. He has been a mismatch for the Bucs all day. Play action roasts the Bucs and the wheels are off.
Second half is underway. Rams start at the 20.
Check out Josh’s halftime recap on the main page, and then hop right back into the Live Blog for the second half.
Bucs and Rams with very similar yardage and first down numbers, Bucs dominating time of possession. But the scoreboard is in favor of the Rams, and that’s due to turnovers, and missed opportunities.
“Stephen Holder @HolderStephen
Loudest crowd has been all day? When #Bucs were booed off the field at the end of the 2nd quarter. Let clock run out w/out trying to score”
Bucs had all three timeouts with half a minute left. With a solid kicker, would have liked to see them try and get 40 yards and a field goal, right?
Halftime stats of note: Freeman 11 of 17 for 100 yards, but 0 TD’s and 2 picks. Doug Martin with 11 carries for 31 yards, O-line has done him no favors.
The Bucs are booed off the field as they let the clock run down. Would have liked to see them go for a score there, Rams will start second half with the ball.
“Pewter Report @PewterReport
Gerald McCoy limping a bit coming off the field after extra point.”
Not. Good.
Ruling of a touchdown is confirmed, so the Rams will be up 8. 14-6 Rams, under a minute to go in the first half. Rams will start the second half with the ball.
The review might go against the Rams, his knee might have been down early as Jackson stretched for the end zone.
The play that set up the TD, the pass to Kendricks, should be on the tape for Josh to watch. Throw over the middle, throw it to your guy, away from defenders, and early enough in the play that helping defenders haven’t swarmed.
Steven Jackson on the run from the 6, and he works and hustles his way into the end zone. Pending a review, it’s a touchdown, Rams.
Bradford to Kendrick once again, and the Rams are just a handful of yards away.
Bucs had brought extra pressure, and it left one-on-ones, and the pressure didn’t phase Bradford, who stepped up and found a receiver coming back to him for a first down.
Rams convert third down. Please refer to this post in the future, as it will likely happen again.
Rams look to throw it downfield again, and Bradford again misfires. Bradford has not been great today, but third down is coming, so he’ll likely have room to work against this Bucs D.
Coming back from the two minute warning, the Rams try and throw it deep unsuccessfully.
“Pewter Report @PewterReport
Freeman doing nothing to quiet the doubters today. Had Mike Williams and Doug Martin open, tries to force ball into triple coverage.”
Two minute warning, Bucs down 7-6 to the driving Rams.
Lance Kendricks with a big gain, and the Rams are driving. Any player who is not covered man-to-man by a DB is probably going to be open for Sam Bradford.
And the Rams finally get Steven Jackson involved, with a big gain on the first play after the pick.
First and 10, Freeman had all day to throw, and throws over the middle, and there were at least 4 Rams in the picture. A throw that late over the middle needs to be pinpoint, and Josh lacks that kind of precision.
Annnnd nevermind. Josh Freeman throws it right back to the Rams. Boos ring down from the Ray Jay crowd.
Freeman to Mike Williams for a nice gain, and with just a handful of minutes left in the first half, the Buccaneers are driving. Rams defense is probably wearing down a bit, tons of possession so far for the Bucs.
Bucs Radio reporting that EJ Biggers has picked up an injury as well. Not good for Tampa Bay.
Back to the third down play: Bradford made an awful decision, and two Bucs DB’s undercut the route perfectly. Problem is, neither could grab the ball. Would have been a pick 6.
Bucs get the ball back, and really need to score here. Offense needs to get into a rhythm.
3rd down for the Rams. Bradford throws it to Ronde Barber, who can’t haul in the pick, as he collided with a teammate.
SJ39, as he likes to be called, has been contained well all game. The Rams running game has not gained 5 or more yards yet today.
In non-Bucs news, Dez Bryant is having quite the game in Dallas. Same Saints defense that shut out the Bucs is laying down for Romo and Bryant.
One key to this game so far is that the Buccaneer O-line has been getting worked. Certainly not giving Josh and Doug room to work.
7-6 Rams, just under 6 minutes to go in the first half. Bucs really need to finish drives, the pass defense isn’t good enough to make up for field goals.
Barth with a 49 yarder, and a decent drive stalls out yet again.
Janoris Jenkins covers Vincent Jackson well to prevent a touchdown, and on the next play the coverage is a bit more “hands on” from the Rams, but no flags. Brings up 4th down.
Bucs at the Rams 38, and Doug Martin gains a big chunk on first down. Time being chewed off the clock, but again, this drive will be defined by how it ends.
Mike Williams hauls in a quick pass on 3rd down, and beats the Rams blitz. First down, Buccaneers!
3rd and 11 for the Buccaneers, trying to recover from the sack (and fumble).
Rams give a gift of an offside. 3rd and 6 is more manageable.
Rams get a free shot on Freeman. Pass protection has been awful today.
A bit of a pick play, Jackson got Clark open on that third down.
Dallas Clark with a one handed first down catch. Good start to the drive.
Buccaneers with a pass and a run to get 8 yards on first and second down, Josh needs to execute this third down well or the wheels could come off.
Bucs down 7-3. Need to grab momentum back on this drive, Rams will get the ball to start the second half.
I will definitely be taking a look at Freeman’s pick six later on this week. See what happened on Williams’ route. However, Free should not have thrown the ball off his back foot on such a long route.
Donald Penn is injured, as well. Collided with Ted Larsen. Hopefully Penn is healthy for next year, he WILL be a part of the team next season.
Looks like Mike Williams may have slipped on the route. Still not sure what Josh was looking for, a pair of Rams in the area.
Freeman was going deep own the left sideline, throwing off his back foot, and it looked like Jenkins was the intended receiver. Poor decision by Josh.
And bad Josh comes storming into Raymond James. Janoris Jenkins with a pick 6.
On second down, Freeman has to throw again, they try and set up the screen. Play is blown up, and sets up 3rd and 15 Buccaneers.
Freeman sacked again.
Roscoe Parrish forced into WR duties with Underwood out. But Doug Martin proving that we don’t need wideouts, pounding the ball on the ground and making something out of nothing.
Buccaneers will start their second drive with just over 14 minutes left in the first half.
Doug Martin with a gain of 4 on first down. Need to keep going to him, no matter what.
Gorrer was stride for stride with Amendola, and Bradford didn’t throw it to the sideline, but instead threw it out in front of Gorrer, who caught it in stride.
Danny Gorrer! Interception! Bradford tries to get it into the end zone to Amendola, and Gorrer gets the pick.
Givens with another chunk of yards from Bradford, and the Buccaneers pass D is the same old sad song.
Bucs/Rams is the only game in the 2nd quarter in the NFL today, 11 games going right now. Quick moving game with both teams keeping the ball for long stretches.
Rams on their own drive, chewing up the clock and marching down the field. First quarter already over, 3-0 Bucs.
There is a big gap between the linebackers and safeties in the zone. So let’s not assume the pass coverage issues are all on the corners.
3rd down and 6, and guess what?!?! Rams first down!
Mark Barron seems to be 5-10 yards too deep in coverage on most pass plays. Curious why he’s staying so deep.
Mark Barron has been active in stopping the run today.
And as it usually goes, the Bucs go with a blitz, and cannot get to the quarterback. Can’t leave the DB’s to cover with no pass rush, but no blitzes seem to work.
Buccaneers drop too deep (as usual), and allow an easy 3rd down conversion. First down, Rams. No pass rush of note so far.
Leonard Johnson has been all over the field today. This kid is working hard to be a part of the roster next year.
Leonard Johnson put his helmet on the ball to cause the Amendola fumble. Then the ball was seemingly covered by the Bucs, but squirted free.
Second and 10 for the Rams is a completed pass, followed up by a fumble, and chaos ensues, ball bouncing all over the field. The Buccaneers recover the ball, fumble again, and it gives the Rams the ball deep in their own end.
Adam Hayward rocks Steven Jackson out of the backfield on play number one for the Rams.
Bucs Twitter reports Tiquan Underwood has a back injury and “his return is questionable.” All the more reason to rely on VJax and the running game.
Freeman started off 5 of 6, a couple high throws hauled in, but so far he’s been “Good Josh”
Would have liked to see 7 points on a drive like that. Penalty on Larsen (who hopefully isn’t on the team next year) and a sack killed momentum.
Barth from about 30 yards out, and the Bucs are on the board 3-0 over the Rams! Nice 10 minute drive, 5:33 left.
And on 3rd and goal from about 20 yards out, the Buccaneers check down and accept a field goal. Not a big fan of this strategy, hopefully Barth gets us on the board.
The line isn’t giving Freeman time to look at the routes for too long, and Josh is a sitting duck back there. He needs plays with quicker decisions.
And now a sack by Chris Long, and the Buccaneers are almost 20 yards out.
Penalty in the red zone. Let’s see if the Bucs can overcome…
Vincent Jackson down inside the 10! Freeman finding him well so far, good adjustment after ignoring him last week.
Per the Bucs twitter, VJax has surpassed Antonio Bryant on the Buccaneers single season receiving yards list. He’s now 4th in team history.
Josh Freeman showing his legs early, with a bootleg completion and a run for a first down. Should see more of this next year!
As one of my twitter followers astutely observed, the delayed handoff running plays aren’t very smart with a weakened offensive line leading the way.
Josh Freeman remembers that he has Vincent Jackson! First down, Bucs!
Bucs face a longer third down now, as Doug Martin loses yardage on second down. Third downs are going to be very important today for the Buccaneers. Gotta stay on the field.
Bucs go for the sneak on 3rd and short. Freeman barely gets to the line to gain. First down, Buccaneers.
Bucs get a 2nd down and 1 after a penalty, but cannot covert on a Doug Martin run. Big third down early.
Doug Martin with a short gain on first down to start the game. Good sign to try and establish the running game.
The Buccaneers will start with the football.
Just 5 minutes to kickoff. Weather in the Tampa Bay area is beautiful, a bit cool for Florida, but great football weather. No clouds, no wind, great day for football.
Leo is a lifelong Tampa Bay sports fan, currently living in central Florida. He loves the Rays, Bucs, Magic, Bolts, and Swansea City (which is not in Florida). Leo is currently the editor of The Pewter Plank, a staff writer for Rays Colored Glasses, as well as the co-host of the Tampa 2 Podcast.
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