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Buccaneers Game Grades: 2017 Week 6 loss to Arizona Cardinals

By Philip Schwegler

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football after a reception past cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football after a reception past cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football after a reception past cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football after a reception past cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The disaster in the desert is what most are calling the week 6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Again we see the Buccaneers start slow and have to play catch up throughout the duration of the game. Collectively, everyone can be blamed for this horrible loss. We see the Buccaneers again lose a game by 6 or less points in back to back weeks.

The Buccaneers defense gave away a perfect first half to quarterback Carson Palmer, who is 37 years old. Not to mention the glorious return of 32 year old running back Adrian Peterson. Did I forget to mention a huge day for 34 year old wide out Larry Fitzgerald?

To say the less, the Buccaneers allowed some of the most seasoned vets in the NFL embarrass them for nearly three quarters of football. Now there was a small spark in the third quarter. Fitzpatrick came into the game and seemed to be able to get the offense going midway through the third.

After a pass intended for intended for wide receiver Desean Jackson was intercepted by the Card’s Bethea, Fitzpatrick marched the Bucs offense down the field from their own 25 to score their first points of the game. A four yard pass to Jackson for six that would be followed by a failed two point conversion.

After a three and out by Fitz and the offense, the back-up veteran quarterback seemed to find a rhythm with stud receiver Mike Evans for a beautiful 41 yard touchdown reception that brought some life back into the staggering Bucs.

After a great drive by Fitzpatrick previously, an under thrown ball to Evans caused an interception on the pass and the Cardinals would take over at the one yard line.

The rest of the game went on as it did. Fitzpatrick played pretty well during the fourth and almost had the Bucs in a comeback win. Counting Winston’s short time on the field out, Fitzpatrick seemed to play well under head coach Dirk Koetters offense.

If you remove the two interceptions, Fitz might have gotten the Bucs into a winning last few drives.

Fitzpatrick finished the day with 22 for 32 290 yards, three touchdowns and two costly interceptions. Not bad for coming off the bench to a team that was so far behind.

Grade: C+

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