Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals: Key Plays

The Buccaneers lost to the Cardinals in a fighting effort, but the comeback fell short. What key plays led to Tampa’s third loss of the year?

Back-to-back losses for the Buccaneers have officially ended their season. Just kidding, this loss definitely hurt, and the Bucs did not even look they belonged on the same field as Arizona in the first half. Tampa Bay was down 24-0 at the half and was down as much as 31-0.

While some may not care that the team only lost by 5, I try to look at the positives. I think it is a good sign the Bucs did not quit without their franchise quarterback. I thought it was encouraging how the defense finally started to get stops. However, in the end it ultimately doesn’t matter, but the biggest positive is that Winston escaped major injury.

Let’s take a look at the key plays in this action-packed game.

27-yard Adrian Peterson TD run: 11:52 Q1

I think all of us had the same thought while Peterson was running rampant during the first drive. What year is this? The Buccaneers defense made him look like it was his MVP season all over again. Peterson capped off his impressive drive with a long run, he finished the drive with four carries for 54-yards and a score.

This was a key play because Arizona took the lead and got their new running back going early.

Carson Palmer 14-yd TD pass to Troy Niklas: 5:24 left in Q1

The Cardinals continue to move the ball with ease on the Buccaneers as if they were playing a high school team. Palmer looked flawless, picking apart the Bucs defense. The veteran led the Cardinals on a 86-yard scoring drive with the final pass going to a wide-open, Troy Niklas.

This was a key play because it extended Arizona’s lead and showed they can move the ball with ease.

Carson Palmer 11-yard TD to Larry Fitzgerald: 12:04 in Q2

I did mention that the Buccaneers were making old guys look good right? Fitzgerald was certainly one of the old guys having his way against the Bucs defense. He had already accumulated 50+ receiving yards in the game and capped off a 95-yard drive by catching a touchdown pass on a play which he was completely unaccounted for.

This was a key play because this pretty much puts the game out of reach.

Carson Palmer to Larry Fitzgerald for the TD! pic.twitter.com/x5KHA3jFJ0
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 15, 2017

Carson Palmer 17-yd TD pass to John Brown: 11:58 left in Q3

This touchdown may be the most frustrating one because if Evans had just tracked the ball it would have been an easy interception. Evans had a good game outside of this pay, but this was a really poor one to give up. Palmer continued to have his way against this defense.

This was a key play because if there was ever a glimmer of hope for the Bucs it disappeared with the Bucs down 31-0 it had vanished.

Ryan Fitzpatrick 4-yard TD pass to DeSean Jackson: 8:27 left in Q3

Tampa Bay finally started to attack the defense and finally got into the end zone. Jackson already had a big catch on the drive and capped it off with a short touchdown. The Bucs would not be shutout, fortunately.

This was a key play because the Buccaneers finally got on the board and showed signs of life.

Ryan Fitzpatrick 10-yd TD pass to Cameron Brate: 13:32 in Q4

Following a long pass to Evans, the Buccaneers were deep in Arizona territory. Fitzpatrick would strike again, this time to Cameron Brate to make it a three possession game.

This was a key play because now the Bucs finally showed what they are capable of.

Lavonte David 21-yard fumble recovery return TD: 12:56 left in Q4

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Less than a minute after scoring a touchdown, the Buccaneers scored another. This time the defense got in on the action. The returning Lavonte David made his presence felt by putting the Bucs back in this game.

This was a key play because it gave the team and fans hope as now they were only down 11 points with more than 12 minutes left.

Ryan Fitzpatrick INT: 7:28 left in Q4

The Bucs defense made a pivotal stop and put it on the offense to get a score. The Bucs were backed up on their own 1-yard line and needed a score. Fitzpatrick had other plans as he threw an interception on a hitch route to Evans and Tramon Williams was ruled down at the Buccaneers 1-yard line.

This was a key play because when the Bucs needed a score more than ever, Fitzpatrick ruined what was a pretty good game for him with a boneheaded mistake essentially losing the Bucs the game.

Adrian Peterson 1-yd TD Run: 7:17 left in Q4

Following the giveaway by the Bucs, Arizona had one yard to go and got it very easily. Peterson would get his second touchdown of the day with an easy plunge.

This was a key play because it made it a three possession game again, making it virtually impossible to come back from.

Doug Martin 1-yd TD Run: 3:02 left in Q4

Martin, in his second week back got his second score of the season, matching Peterson’s 1-yard score just a drive earlier. Fitzpatrick recovered with a rather impressive drive following his huge mistake.

This was a key play because it made it a two-possession game again and restored a little hope.

Next: Is Winston a Franchise QB?

Ryan Fitzpatrick 37-yard TD pass to Mike Evans: 2:02 left in Q4

Game on! Fitzpatrick delivered a beautiful pass to Evans right before the two-minute warning to make it a five point game for the first time since the first quarter. The Buccaneers offense ran absolutely rampant in the fourth quarter. Fitzpatrick wanted to make up for his critical interception and nearly did.

This was a key play because the Bucs legitimately had hope for the first time since the first quarter.

Unfortunately, the onside kick was not even close and the Bucs furious comeback would fall short as they lost 38-33. It was impressive to see the team show fight instead of just lay down.

Following the past couple of weeks where kicking doomed them, who would have thought not kicking would cost the Bucs. If Tampa had taken extra points on their early two failed two-point conversions and kicked the 22-yard field goal before half, the game would have theoretically been tied. Of course, there is no guarantee that Murray would have made them, but when there is a close loss I always think about what could have been.

Ryan Fitzpatrick played fairly well in relief, but in no way shape or form is he better option than

Jameis Winston

. If there is a crowd that would prefer Fitzpatrick over an available Jameis, I would really have to question whether they are truly a fan of this team.

The Bucs will look to bounce back against a tough Buffalo team in what is nearing a must-win game for Tampa Bay. A 2-4 record going into two straight divisional match-ups could spell doom for the 2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.