Sep 14, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Mark Barron (23) tackles St. Louis Rams wide receiver Brian Quick (83) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been beaten by a third-string quarterback.
The Bucs fell to 0-2 after a 19-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams (1-1) and quarterback Austin Davis who was making his first career NFL start at Raymond James Stadium Sunday afternoon.
Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein kicked the game-winning field goal with 38 seconds left, which had been setup by a 27-yard completion to Austin Pettis on third down earlier in the drive.
The Bucs had taken a 17-16 lead with 5:15 left in the fourth when Patrick Murray connected on his first career field goal.
However, the Rams drived from their own 9-yard line to get Zuerlein in position for the game-winner.
The Bucs got the football with 38 seconds and after completions by Josh McCown to Bobby Rainey for 18-yards and then to Mike Evans for 32, the Bucs were in position to attempt the game-winning field goal.
However, since they had no timeouts left and Evans was injured on his reception, a 10 second runoff was enforced ending the game.
Sep 14, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) runs with the ball as St. Louis Rams strong safety T.J. McDonald (25) tackles during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Bucs took an early lead with 8:56 left in the first quarter as Josh McCown scrambled in from 5-yards out. The Rams responded right away on their next drive as Zac Stacy ran in from 2-yards out. On the drive Gerald McCoy was injured and did not return. Its been reported that he has a broken hand.
The game was delayed for 51 minutes at the 6:06 mark of the second quarter due to lightning in the area.
A Zuerlein field goal with 39 seconds left in the first half gave the Rams a 10-7 half time lead which had been setup after T.J. McDonald blocked a Michael Koenen punt.
The Bucs retook the lead on their first drive of the second half as McCown ran in again from 1-yard out. On the drive, McCown connected with Vincent Jackson three times for 44 yards.
Another Zuerlein field goal cut the lead to 14-13 and the Bucs had the chance to increase it even more after a long Chris Owusu kick return got the Bucs into field goal ranger. However, Murray saw his kick blocked by McDonald.
McCown finished 16-of-21 for 179 yards with no touchdown passes and an interception. The pick came in the second quarter in the red zone as McCown was getting sacked.
Bobby Rainey got the start at running back and excelled, rushing for 144 yards on 22 carries in place of the injured Doug Martin.
Jackson led the team with 51 receiving yards on four catches while Evans had 49 yards on four catches.
Davis was 22-of-29 for 235 yards and didn’t turn the ball over once. Zac Stacy ran for 71 yards while Brian Quick had 74 receiving yards.
Dashon Goldson had a game high 11 tackles and recovered a Stacy fumble while Alterraun Verner and Mark Barron had eight tackles apiece. Clinton McDonald and William Gholston had the Bucs’ two sacks.
Mason Foster also left the game injured and did not return. St. Louis went 5-of-11 on third down while the Bucs went 4-of-8.
At half time, Bucs legend Derrick Brooks had his number retired and was inducted into the Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor.
The Bucs face the Atlanta Falcons in four days on Thursday Night Football.