This was a game no team really deserved to win. Both teams squandered it seemed like every opportunity to put this game away. Chandler Cantanzaro the “goat” in this game up to this point nailed a 59 yard FG with just under 2 minutes left in OT to give the Bucs the win.
That is an NFL record for a FG in OT to win a game.
Catanzaro had missed the first extra point of the game which if he would have made, would have given the Bucs a 24-23 win in regulation. Then with time running out in regulation Catanzaro missed a 40 yard FG attempt to send the game to OT.
So the curse of Roberto Aguayo continues In Tampa. Canatanzaro will probably have his job though for at least one more week.
The defense was much improved for three quarters under Mark Duffner. The Bucs were aggressive in their blitzes, and we actually saw the DB’s play tight coverage on the Browns receivers and make some plays. And we thought these guys couldn’t cover anyone?
Then came the fourth quarter. It was the same old sad Bucs defense that we had seen in five previous games this season. No aggressiveness, as the Browns were able to move the ball up and down the field at will. The exception was the 4th and goal from the 1 yard line that the Browns could not punch in. The Bucs defense rose to the occasion on that play.
There is still work to do and a lot of improvement to be made, but overall was pretty pleased with the improvement that the defense showed.
The Bucs did lose two LB’s for the season. All-Pro Kwon Alexander the heart of the defense tore his ACL and is done for the season and probably will not be ready to play at the start of the 2019 season.
Jack Cichy the rookie from Wisconsin who overcame so much just to be able to get drafted and then make the team will also miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL as well. Cichy missed his senior season at Wisconsin with a torn pec muscle.
The Bucs signed LB and Hard Knocks hero Riley Bullough to a contract to take the roster spot of Kwon Alexander. The team also recently re-signed LB Devante Bond to a contract.
The play of Jameis Winston was a mixed bag as he made plays at time and yet there were times that he looked like he was playing in his first NFL game. He had no touch on any ball thrown over 20 yards as he continually overthrew his receivers.
Winston did pass for 365 yards, but was intercepted twice and sacked 4 times. Two of those sacks were at critical points in the game where you absolutely cannot take a sack, you have to throw the ball away.
Winston did lead the team in rushing with 59 yards and 1 TD
I don’t think Winston will ever get It. I Don’t think he will get any better. This is his 4th season in the league and if he is still making the same stupid mistakes he made in his first season, I don“t see a lot changing.
What we saw yesterday was a performance worthy of $20 million dollars, as the Bucs will pick up his option for next season and we will get the same level of play.
If you would rate the QB’s in the NFL there may be 7-10 teams that would take him over their current QB. That’s not saying much for a guy who will be making $20 million dollars next season.
There were a lot of positives in this game mostly on the defensive side of the ball. We will get a much better feel for this improved defense and how much they have improved these next two weeks when the Bucs go to Cincinnati and Carolina.
I know it’s hard to do considering how the game unfolded and how the Bucs won. But let’s enjoy the win. The Bucs are 3-3 and can still have a respectable season.
Oct 21, 2018; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) celebrates after making a game winning field goal against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
