Aug 16, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Zach Sudfeld (44) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety
Keith Tandy(37) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now 2-0 for the preseason after losing to the New England Patriots by a score of 25-21 on Friday evening in Foxboro, Mass.
The Buccaneers started off slowly, unable to keep up with the fast pace of the Patriots’ offense. The Tom Brady led Pats’ offense would drive down the field easily, featuring slot receivers and running backs catching passes from the future Hall of Famer. The drive would end in a touchdown, and a two point conversion, putting the Patriots ahead 8-0.
The Buccaneers would then have a scary moment, as Doug Martin would leave the game after taking a knee to the head. There would be no official word on a diagnosis of any sort of injury for Martin, as this is all the information we have:
RT @simondwatkins: @TKras What's the word on Doug Tom? --> Nothing yet. Got dinged in the head. #Bucs say he's being 'evaluated'
— Tom Krasniqi (@TKras) August 17, 2013
The Buccaneers would eventually get on the board with a nice pass from Mike Glennon to Kevin Ogletree, who broke wide open into the end zone.
And after that, the Buccaneers’ second and third teamers went back and forth with the Patriots, matching them point for point and mistake for mistake.
Mike Glennon would make his fair share of solid throws, but would also make some big mistakes, including delivering a pick-six to former Rutgers corner Logan Ryan on a telegraphed out route.
But the real story for the Buccaneers was the running game from the second and third team.
Mike James and Peyton Hillis both carried the ball very well, combining for 154 yards on 33 carries as they plowed ahead behind the backup offensive lines. James showed a ton of burst and some good tackle-breaking, and Hillis showed his usual downhill running style, actually staying inside rather than bouncing outside as he has tended to do in the past.
The Patriots had some success against the Buccaneers offense as well, but mainly though the air. Ryan Mallet and Tom Brady both had plenty of time to throw, as the Buccaneers were unable to get a quick enough pass rush to impact the incredibly fast New England offense.
The Buccaneers showed much improved special teams play as compared to week 1 against the Ravens, as the coverage and return teams made no mistakes and actually had a few shining moments.
Rapid Reaction:
The Buccaneers had the opposite performance as compared to last week, with the starters unable to hang with the opposition’s starters, but the backups performing well and showing promise. There are plenty of things to be concerned with, including a general sense of slowness and lethargy from the starters, but overall there are positives to be gained from this game.
Stay tuned to The Pewter Plank all weekend as we break down the game to provide analysis and insight, and pass along any breaking news (Especially about Doug Martin).