Buccaneers: Key Plays from 2017 Week 10 against the Jets

The Buccaneers ended their five game winning streak with a hard-fought 15-10 victory over the New York Jets.

Ryan Fitzpatrick filled in for Jameis Winston and didn’t exactly impress, but he did just enough to pick up a victory. On another note, how nice is it to finally have a competent kicker? Shout-out to Pat Murray who had more than half of the Buccaneers’ points. Having a good kicker is essential to winning and Pat Murray proved his worth on Sunday.

The defense finally woke up and allowed less than fourteen points for the first time since week two against Chicago. The defense racked up six sacks and intercepted one pass. If the defense continues that level of play, the Bucs have a chance at turning this season around.

Without further ado, let’s get to the key plays.

Ryan Fitzpatrick – 22-yard pass to DeSean Jackson: 3:11 Q1

In what was shaping up to be one of the longer drives of the Bucs’ season so far, Fitzpatrick found DeSean Jackson for a big gain of twenty-two to the Jets eleven yard line on a 2nd-and-11 from the Jets 33. This was the biggest play of the game so far as it allowed the Bucs to reach the red zone.

This was a key play because it meant the Bucs were in scoring position and would likely get the first points up on the board.

Brent Grimes – Interception: 10:54 Q2

Early in the second, the Jets had the ball deep in their own territory following a holding call. On a 2nd-and-19, McCown tried forcing the ball deep into double coverage down the middle of the field to wide receiver Robby Anderson, however cornerback Brent Grimes had other plans. Grimes intercepted the ball and capped it off with a huge return back to the Jets 32.

This was a key play because it gave the Bucs the ball back with great field position and an opportunity to build on their 3-0 lead.

Ryan Fitzpatrick – Interception: 10:40 Q2

In what could only be described as something you couldn’t make up, Fitzpatrick returned the favor to the Jets. The very next play after the Brent Grimes interception, Fitzpatrick tried looking for receiver Chris Godwin right in front of the end zone. The play did not go to plan, however, as Fitzpatrick underthrew Godwin on a deep in route and it was intercepted by cornerback Darryl Roberts. This wasn’t really a poor decision by Fitzpatrick, rather a bad throw. Had he led Godwin into space, it likely results in Godwin’s first career touchdown.

This was a key play because the Bucs blew an opportunity to score after a turnover and gave the ball – and momentum – back to the Jets.

Josh McCown – 25-yard pass to wide receiver Robby Anderson: 2:16 Q2

Following a big-time sack on a 2nd-and-6 by defensive end Will Clarke, the Jets were backed up at the Buccaneers 45-yard line. On a 3rd-and-14, McCown found Robby Anderson for a gain of 25 to the Bucs 20-yard line. The Bucs found themselves unable to get off the field on third down yet again. This was a back-breaker for the Bucs defense who thought they had New York stopped.

This was a key play because it put the Jets deep into Bucs territory. The Jets were almost certainly going to come away with points barring a turnover.

Kwon Alexander – Forced Fumble: 3:31 Q2

Another week and another turnover forced by a Buccaneer linebacker. This time it was Kwon Alexander, who knocked the ball loose from running back Bilal Powell‘s hands. Lavonte David was able to recover the fumble and may have taken it for a touchdown had the referees not blown the play dead, citing Powell down at the time. This was the second turnover forced by the Bucs defense.

This was a key play because it halted a Jets drive and set the Bucs up with solid field position.

Darryl Tapp – Sack: 0:22 Q3

Tapp decided to join in on the sack party. Following a Bucs field goal that put the Bucs up by six, the defense faced a critical possession. On a 1st-and-10, defensive end Darryl Tapp sacked Josh McCown for a six yard loss that would set the tone for the drive. The Bucs were pressuring McCown all day and Tapp marked the fourth sack of the day to that point.

This was a key play because it showed the Bucs were able to constantly pressure and actually sack the quarterback.

Ryan Fitzpatrick to Charles Sims – six yard touchdown pass: 6:05 Q4

The Buccaneers had an opportunity to put the game away this drive and they did just that. Tampa Bay went on a lengthy drive that ended with points. The Bucs were able to establish the run this drive, which helped open up the pass. Following a pair of runs by Doug Martin, Fitzpatrick found Charles Sims for a six yard TD.

This was a key play because the Bucs got the first touchdown of the game and put the game pretty much out of reach.

Josh McCown – 28-yard pass to Austin Seferian-Jenkins: 3:45 Q4

The Jets needed a score on this drive for any chance at a comeback. The Bucs had just sacked McCown on a 3rd-and-11 setting up an extremely difficult 4th-and-16. Somehow ASJ got open and hauled in a 28-yard pass from McCown to get the Jets into Tampa Bay territory. The Bucs defense played well, but they continued to have lapses such as these.

This was a key play because it was a critical fourth down conversion that allowed the Jets to potentially stay in the game.

Josh McCown – 38-yard touchdown pass to Robby Anderson: 0:28 Q4

The game was well in hand for Tampa Bay, but Brent Grimes fell asleep against speedy receiver Robby Anderson. McCown found Anderson for a 38-yard touchdown as Anderson’s speed was a bit too much for Grimes on the play. This drive was the epitome of “garbage time” as the Jets’ win probability was microscopic with under a minute and no timeouts remaining. It helped fantasy owners for sure, but wasn’t going to win the game for New York.

This was a key play because it was the first TD of the game for the Jets.

Ultimately, it was nice to see the Buccaneers escape with a win. It was an ugly win, but a win nonetheless. They stayed committed to the run, despite Doug Martin managing just 51 yards on 20 carries. Granted, the offensive line didn’t do him, the other running backs, or Fitzpatrick any favors, but establishing the run – even though it wasn’t working – helped open things up down the field later in the game. The Bucs need to follow this formula if they want to start a winning streak.

Next: Bucs Hold Meeting Before Jets Game

Defense and commitment to the run game could help turn the Bucs season around.

Let’s hope the Bucs keep up their winning ways against Miami next week. A week that should have been a bye week, yes I’m still upset about it.