Is it possible for the Buccaneers to play all their games in Germany? Maybe it was the smell of German beer and pretzels in the air. But whatever it was, it worked as the Bucs had their best game in all phases in Beating the Seahawks 21-16.
The Bucs also had their best day running the ball, churning out 161 yards on the ground led by Rachaad White and his 105 yards, the first 100-yard game of his career.
It looked and felt more like a Super Bowl than a regular season, with all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the game. In addition, the German crowd was definitely into the game and created an excellent atmosphere for both teams.
Tom Brady said it was one of the best environments he has ever played in. “Yeah, that was one of the great football experiences I’ve ever had. So that says a lot for 23 years in the league, and for a regular-season game, I think the fan turnout was incredible. It felt very electric from the time we took the field.”
Everything clicked for the Bucs for three and half quarters, as the Bucs built a 21-3 lead and shut down Seattle’s run game, holding the Seahawks to 61 yards on the ground.
This was the best game the Bucs have played this season, outside of the opening night win in Dallas.
Linebacker Devin White had his best game this season after being called out by Hall Of Fame Tackle Warren Sapp on his loafing and ineffective play.
White, the NFL defensive player of the month for September, had not played well the last few weeks. But Sunday, a few days after losing his father, White had one of his best games of the season.
White led the team with nine tackles and had two sacks of Seattle quarterback Geno Smith. He also recovered a fumble after a Seattle interception when the Seahawks had moved the ball to the Tampa nine-yard line and were threatening to score
Running Back Raachad White had his best day in a Buccaneer uniform, running for 105 yards and averaging 4.0 yards per carry.
White, who got better as the game went along, talked about getting into a rhythm as the game went along. “That’s a big thing. Especially when you’re getting carries back to back, you get in a rhythm. You get in a groove. So that helped out a lot. My offensive line, everybody was just on point today. Coach was dialing it up.”
White started the game in place of Leonard Fournette, which seemed to light a fire under Fournette, who had his best game since the opening night win in Dallas.
Fournette ran for 67 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown. He left the game in the third period with a hip pointer.
Chris Godwin started to lo0ok like the Chris Godwin of old as he led the Bucs in receiving with 71 yards on six catches with one touchdown.
It was just two years since the Buccaneers were floundering at 7-5 and headed into the bye week.
The Buccaneers had significant issues on both sides of the ball. They had lost two in a row and were not playing well defensively. However, after a bit of introspection over the bye week, the Bucs took off and won eight in a row, culminating in a Super Bowl championship.
Does this Bucs team have that kind of run in them this season?
The Bucs have the Browns, Saints, 49ers, Bengals, Cardinals, Panthers, and Falcons left on the schedule. So it’s not out of the question to think that the Bucs could go 6-1 the rest of the way and finish with an 11-6 record.
Let’s enjoy the two-game winning streak, get some guys healthy, and get ready to dominate down the stretch.
Go Bucs.
