The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a massive win against the Los Angeles Rams. Here is who won our gold, silver, and bronze medals in the win for the Buccaneers.
Revenge is a dish best served cold, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in the mood for something frosty. After the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Buccaneers in both the 2021 regular season and then the divisional round of the playoffs in spectacular fashion, the stage was set for a bit of vengeance.
The Bucs needed this win, and ripping the hearts out of the Rams and the fans they may have was the best way to get there given the recent history. It also was a much-needed triumph because now we’re able to pick back up with our three medalists now that the Buccaneers appear to be steering the ship in the right direction. So let’s get to it, but first some honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions: Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Keanu Neal, Jake Camarda
The secondary of the Buccaneers may have gotten their usual dose of Cooper Kupp, but other than that they were pretty stout. Keanu Neal’s ten tackles (six solos) led the Buccaneers and trailed only Bobby Wagner’s 13 total from leading all players in the game. Second and third place in tackles were the six total (five solos) and five total (four solos) from cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting respectively. Both also added tackles for a loss, which came up big. Sure, there is still work to be done, but with the emergence of Neal and the re-emergence of Murphy-Bunting, the secondary is trending in the right direction.
Jake Camarda easily could have won a medal, and honestly probably should have since his foot in the battle for field position was a huge factor in the game, but with the breakout/re-breakout of our winners, our hands, or feet were tied. Camarda’s day on the podium will eventually come.
Now for the medal winners.
Buccaneers Bronze Medalist: Cade Otton
Don’t look now, but the Buccaneers may have a ballplayer on their hands at tight end. A lot was made about the departure of Rob Gronkowski, and how the Bucs prepared as such, but it looks like they may have something with Otton.
Cade Otton was the Buccaneers leading pass-catcher with five catches for 68 yards. Of course, he also added a touchdown at the end of the game that of course was the game-winner, it what arguably the biggest touchdown of the season to this point.
Time will tell what the Bucs have in their rookie tight end. If he keeps this trajectory though, then they will be just fine at tight end (and perhaps a more decorated medal collection for Otton to boot). You tell us what’s more significant.
Buccaneers Silver Medalist: Vita Vea
Uh oh. Does Vita Vea have his swagger back? If he does, watch out, because not only would that potentially vault the defense of the Buccaneers from good to great, but then this writer would become VERY excited/borderline insufferable in the process.
Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea was having a bit of a downer this season after being named a captain, but the captain came up in a big way when his pirate ship needed him most.
Other than being his normal monster in the middle self and creating gridlock in the line of scrimmage almost single-handedly (as we’ve sorely missed him doing), he was also able to light up his own stat sheet by collecting three tackles, all of which solo, to go along with a pair of sacks that were as massive as the Bucs’ nose-guards body and charisma.
Is this a little much? Perhaps, so find some forgiveness in your heart if this writer is a little, shall we say “enthused” about this. If it’s any consolation though, restraint was shown by giving Vea the silver medal, no matter how desperately we wanted the gold awarded. In due time though in due time. Things are looking up for Vea.
As far as the gold medal goes, this was obvious, and a great sign for the Buccaneers.
Buccaneers Gold Medalists: Tom Brady
Duh. We mentioned several defenders being back. If Tom Brady is also on that list, then the ship is out of the rough waters. At the very least navigating its way out of the tail end of it. Either way, the fashion in which Brady was able to will the Buccaneers to a win late against the Rams is something fans should be singing pretty about.
Brady completed 36 passes for 280 yards and one touchdown. A modest stat line in today’s NFL to be sure, however, that doesn’t tell the whole story here. Brady threw the ball 58 times, FIFTY-EIGHT TIMES. Keep in mind the man is 45 years old, or, young.
This 45-year-old man looks like he was playing rope-a-dope with father time there for a bit because the way he willed and drove the offense down the field for his winning touchdown pass as time was all but expired was vintage Brady. Just when we all thought he was down.
The impact of this performance can’t be understated. Brady looked to be back to his old clutch self, and it’ll be interesting to see where things go from here, but things are certainly looking up. GOATs do GOAT things, and that is fantastic news for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.