By Tom Krasniqi

 

The offense was sporadic.  The pass defense continues to be an issue.  Yet, the Buccaneers found a way to win by making big plays in all three phases to beat the Chargers 34-24 at Raymond James Stadium.  Bucs have now won three straight to improve to 5-4 while the Chargers fall to 4-5.

The Chargers struck first on the third play from scrimmage.  Phillip Rivers hit Danario Alexander on a slant and Leonard Johnson missed the tackle.  Alexander took it 80 yards on the touchdown to give San Diego a 7-0 lead.  The Bucs came right back on their first possession.  They went 80 yards on 9 plays to tie the game 7-7 on a Josh Freeman 2-yard TD pass to Dallas Clark.  Doug Martin had a big 42-yard catch and run to set up the score.  On their next possession, Chargers went right down the field again on an 80-yard scoring drive, capped by a Rivers 13-yd TD pass to Antonio Gates to make it 14-7 Chargers.

The Bucs were able to drive it downfield to begin the 2nd quarter.  On the first play of the second quarter, Freeman hit Mike Williams deep over the middle for a 54-yard gain.  Connor Barth booted a 40-yd FG to pull the Bucs within four at 14-10.  The Bucs special teams made a big play midway through the second quarter when Dekota Watson blocked a Mike Scifres punt.  Adam Heyward scooped up the loose ball and scampered 29 yards for a touchdown to put Tampa Bay up 17-14.  Chargers respond late in the first half with another 80-yard drive.  Rivers found Malcom Floyd for a 3-yd TD pass to put the Chargers back in front, 21-17.

In the second half, the Bucs took back the lead as Freeman led Tampa Bay down the field.  Freeman’s QB sneak on 4th and 1 at midfield kept the drive alive.   Then, it was Freeman hooking up with Tiquan Underwood on a 15-yd TD pass to give the Bucs a 24-21 lead.  There was a scary moment late in the 3rd quarter.  Quincy Black was carted off the field after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Ryan Mathews.  Black was taken to a local hospital for observation. 

Early in the 4th quarter, Rivers made a crucial mistake while the Chargers were driving in Bucs territory.  He was picked off by Leonard Johnson, who took it back 83 yards for a touchdown to make it 31-21 Bucs.  The Chargers were able to draw within three on a Nick Novak 33-yd FG to make it 31-24 Tampa Bay.  It capped an 11-play drive spanning 64 yards.  The Bucs defense stiffened after that.  LeQuan Lewis picked off Rivers later in the game.  Barth added a 45-yd FG late to seal it.

 

News & Notes:

  • The Bucs win despite being outgained in yardage by the Chargers 426-279.  Two big interceptions by Phillip Rivers cost San Diego in this one. 
  • Vincent Jackson insisted after the game that it was all business against his former team.  VJax finished the game with 5 catches for 59 yards.
  • One week after going for 251 yards rushing and 4 scores, Doug Martin was held to 68 yards on 19 carries.  He did catch 3 balls for 51 yards.  Bucs LT Donald Penn says the Chargers had safety Eric Weddle in the box often and stacked it against Martin.
  • The Bucs continue to be aggressive on special teams.  In the 2nd quarter, Dekota Watson bursted through the middle and blocked a Mike Scifres punt.  Adam Heyward scooped up the loose ball and returned it 29 yards for a score.  The Bucs are constantly working on the punt block in practice and it paid dividends.
  • The Bucs hit the road next Sunday afternoon as they visit Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.  Our coverage begins at 9am on 620 WDAE, your home of the Bucs.