Buccaneers in Overtime Survive Furious Bills Comeback Attempt

Well, there’s an old saying in the NFL that there is no such thing as a bad win. While that may be true, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might want to try prettying up the victories for the remainder of the season. That as a result of blowing a 21 point second half lead but ultimately improving to 10-3 with an overtime escape against the desperate Buffalo Bills, 33-27.

Things started out as most expected with the Bucs taking control in the first half. The defense harassed Bills signal caller Josh Allen constantly and held the once high scoring Buffalo offense to only a 21 yard Tyler Bass field goal in the second quarter. The Bills running game was basically non-existent for the first 30 minutes, and while Allen completed some passes on the Bucs secondary, it wasn’t enough to dent the scoreboard.

The Bucs kicked off the scoring in the first quarter with running back Leonard Fournette’s 47 yard touchdown run to go up 7-0. The Bucs added 17 points in the second quarter on a 23 yard field goal by Ryan Succop followed by a 13 yard strike from Tom Brady to Mike Evans. The scoring for the half ended on Brady’s one-yard sneak to put Tampa Bay up 24-3.

The second half was a totally different game. Allen and the Bills got their running game going primarily because of his legs. So much so that Allen led Buffalo on the ground with 109 yards rushing.

Among those yards was a 18 yard touchdown in the 3rd Quarter than began the Bills’ comeback. Buffalo outscored Tampa Bay 24-3 after halftime, including Bass’ 25 yard field goal with 22 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

The Bills won the coin toss and quickly went three and out. The Buccaneers then took the ball after a punt at their own 6 yard line. Five plays and a defensive pass interference later, it was 3rd and 3 for the Bucs at their own 28 yard line.

The walk off was sealed on the next play when little used wide receiver Breshad Perriman was targeted for the only time all day. He caught a crossing route from Brady and raced pass the defense for the game winning touchdown 58 yards later.

The Buccaneers, like every team in the NFL will take an overtime win. They probably just wish they had scored more points and put it away in regulation. That said, the Bucs are set up to still get the top seed in the NFC and put the NFC South Division away next Sunday night against the hated New Orleans Saints.