Tampa Bay Buccaneers Get First Preseason Win
Aug 23, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a pass for a touchdown as Buffalo Bills free safety Aaron Williams (23) defends during the second quarter at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are into the preseason win column after they defeated the Buffalo Bills 27-14 Saturday afternoon.
The Buccaneers’ starters played well into the second half, as head coach Lovie Smith had promised, and he was rewarded with a very good effort all round.
The Bucs stormed to a 24-0 half time lead courtesy of a first quarter Doug Martin touchdown run, while a Clinton McDonald fumble recovery and a 24-yard touchdown pass from Josh McCown to Mike Evans in the second quarter propelled the Bucs to a big half time lead.
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McCown was 13-of-16 for 112 yards with a touchdown and an interception but he looked very poised all game long. He played the first half and was replace by Mike Glennon to start the third quarter. The offense stumbled with Glennon and put up only three points, however, Glennon was 5-of-7 for 45 yards.
Martin had 38 yards on 12 carries and also had a 21-yard reception which set-up his one-yard touchdown run. Jeff Demps showed flashes of being a straight running back as he had 26 yards on 11 carries. Bobby Rainey struggled with just 14 yards on 13 carries.
Vincent Jackson hauled in five passes while Evans had three catches for a team high 44 yards. Brandon Myers and Austin Seferian-Jenkins got the most reps at tight end for the Bucs with Tim Wright being limited once again.
The Bucs offense was efficient on third down going 6-of-14. The offensive line looked better today as they allowed just two sacks.
As has been the case all preseason long, the Bucs defense has been fantastic and today was no different.
Keith Tandy, Mason Foster, Johnthan Banks and Anthony Gaitor (who had a sack too) all had a team high six tackles. Larry English, who continues to make a strong case to be on the 53-man roster, registered two sacks. The Bucs had five sacks as a team while Dashon Goldson had the Bucs lone interception.
Quinton Pointer picked off Jeff Tuel late in the fourth quarter but it was overturned as Damaso Munoz was flagged for a very questionable late hit on the quarterback.
Tampa Bay had just five penalties in the game. Starting SAM linebacker Jonathan Casillas didn’t travel with the team because of disciplinary reasons.
The Bucs play their final preseason game on Thursday night at home to the Washington Redskins.
However, before that game the Bucs must get down to a 75-man roster by 4 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday.