As the clock ticked toward the 1 PM kickoffs, NFL pictures, tweets, pregame shows and Instagram posts all had one thing in common. Cold.
Snow all over the North and Midwest. Will be interesting to see the effect it has on the games. — Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) December 8, 2013
Can't even see the lines now. #Eagles just headed indoors. #Lions still warming up: pic.twitter.com/19HMZ5dbOh — Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 8, 2013
A special thanks to the great @NFLonFOX camera crews bringing you the beautiful images from around the NFL today pic.twitter.com/QTq9ygFkNG — FOX Football Daily (@FFD) December 8, 2013
And there go the yard markers. #BALvsMIN #RavensInTheSnow pic.twitter.com/CslYO1MlH9 — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 8, 2013
The weather outside is frightful, the pressbox so delightful..#Cinci pic.twitter.com/4PdNBVWblr — Jeffrey Gorman (@Allgorman) December 8, 2013
There are no fair weather #Packers fans...because there is no such thing as fair weather in Green Bay. :) On my way! pic.twitter.com/IlfBuxqKng — Michelle (@Michelle_NFL) December 7, 2013
Meanwhile, minutes prior to the December 8th kickoff in Tampa…
Weather in #Tampa: 80 degrees, sunny. (Weather in #Buffalo: 27 degrees, cloudy.) #itsabucslife #BUFvsTB pic.twitter.com/C8J80zGHY7 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) December 8, 2013
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Buccaneers offense seem energized by the sunshine. On just the second play of the game, they would see the first of many big plays. NFL: Around the League announces the first TD of NFL Week 14 and the rest of Twitter sounds off:
Bobby Rainey goes 80 yards on 2nd play of game. That's a way to start — NFL: AroundTheLeague (@NFL_ATL) December 8, 2013
FIRE THE CANNONS! BOBBY RAINEY GOES 80! TD #Bucs — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) December 8, 2013
Bobby Rainey just uncorked the longest run in Buc history, 80 yards off left tackle — Ira Kaufman (@IKaufmanTBO) December 8, 2013
Snap back to Philadelphia…
Snow. pic.twitter.com/IJuQrENWi8 — SB Nation (@sbnation) December 8, 2013
Following the opening score, the team would trade punts with the Bills getting the ball back at their own 42-yard line.Trade punts. After a 15-yard personal foul penalty and 15-yard completion to TE Scott Chandler, the Bucs defense held the Bills to just three points.
So far Buffalo has 40 yards of offense and 30 yards on penalties. Tampa Bay's run defense playing well early on. — Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) December 8, 2013
Dan Carpenter's 40-yard FG is GOOD! — Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) December 8, 2013
The Buccaneers would make short work of answering back. Starting from the 20-yard line, RB Bobby Rainey would make some shifty runs, and Mike Glennon would find Vincent Jackson for gains of 10 and 22 yards. Then, in third-and-14 from the 38, Glennon would take aim toward Jackson one more time. Times' writer Greg Auman, Pewter Report and Buccaneers.com Senior writer Scott Smith weigh in.
Mike Glennon avoided sack, rolled to right, then went deep and saw Vincent Jackson make catch in end zone despite pass interference flag. — Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 8, 2013
On that play, Vincent Jackson went over 1,000 yards for the third straight season, and the fifth time overall. — Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) December 8, 2013
VJax, first Bucs receiver to post back-to-back 1,000 seasons since Joey Galloway. — Pewter Report (@PewterReport) December 8, 2013
The defense would remain strong, getting to Bills' QB twice, forcing a three-and-out.
Bucs are the team getting to QB so far today -- Mark Barron drops EJ Manuel for a 1-yard loss on first down ... — Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 8, 2013
And that's sack number three on the day. Bowers and Golston split it and the Bills punt again. — Sander Philipse (@Bucs_Nation) December 8, 2013
At the end of the first, the Bucs held the lead, 14-3. TBO.com's Ira Kaufman adds this:
Bills had allowed only five first-quarter TDs all season before Sunday. Bucs have already hit them up for two long scoring plays — Ira Kaufman (@IKaufmanTBO) December 8, 2013
End of the 1st Quarter TB 14, BUF 3 Rainey: 8 carries, 95 yards, TD Jackson: 3 catches, 70 yards, TD #BUFvsTB pic.twitter.com/ky0NVMwhWX — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) December 8, 2013
Just one minute into the second quarter, the Buccaneers stole possession from the Buffalo offense. Twitter flooded with posts about the big play, all with one commonality.
TURNOVER ALERT! Lavonte David adds to his Pro Bowl résumé with another interception! #BUFvsTB — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) December 8, 2013
Lavonte David INT! #ProBowlOrBust — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) December 8, 2013
Lavonte David with the INT -- and some Pro Bowl votes. — Pat Yasinskas (@PatYazESPN) December 8, 2013
Lavonte David with the pick. Just put this guy in the Pro Bowl already. — JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) December 8, 2013
That website, by the way, would be http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot. The Bucs however, could not turn the pick into any points. Just three plays later, the Bills would counter with a turnover of their own. Pewter Report and BuffaloBills.com lead journalist make the call:
Glennon picked off after V. Jackson slips on the play. Throw appeared off target as well. Bucs squander a great opportunity to extend lead. — Pewter Report (@PewterReport) December 8, 2013
2 of NFL's top INT teams Bucs and #Bills neck and neck, 18 now for Tampa, 17 now for Buffalo with Byrd's pick. — Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) December 8, 2013
On the third straight possession, the drive would end in an INT as Johnthan Banks took the ball right back for the Buccaneers. Scott Smith notes the stats:
Johnthan Banks with his 3rd pick of the season! TB came in with the league lead in interceptions as a team, and they're showing why. — Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) December 8, 2013
The Buccaneers would add three more off the turnover, as the Ledger's Rick Brown updates the score.
Lindell drills a 53-yard field goal. #Bucs 17, #Bills 3. 10:45 left in the second. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) December 8, 2013
Once again, the Buccaneers defense wouldn't budge. The Bills' drive would result in a punt, highlighted by a big play from CB Darrelle Revis.
Revis takes a page out of the Ronde Barber playbook for a sack from the edge outside. #GoBucs — FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@MyFoxTampaBay) December 8, 2013
The Buccaneers would be forced to punt the ball right back, but has been the case all season, that hasn't always resulted in a positive outcome for the receiving team. Again we turn to Greg Auman to give us the insight:
Bucs go three-and-out on offense. Punt coming, leading Buffalo 17-3, 7:55 left in second ... — Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 8, 2013
Bucs get turnover off special teams -- Leodis McKelvin muff punt, Bucs recover at Buffalo 21. — Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 8, 2013
For the second time of the day, however, no points would come from the turnover, as the Bills' Stephon Gilmore came down with an acrobatic interception near the end zone.
Stephon Gilmore picks off Glennon. The #Bills gets it back DEEP in their own territory. Like, on the 3. — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) December 8, 2013
With 4:46 left in the first half, after forcing the fourth Buffalo punt of the day, Fox 13's Kevin ODonnell gives props to the solid defensive efforts.
Bucs defense is smothering Buffalo. Bills have been held to 74 yards on 30 plays! — Kevin ODonnell Fox13 (@ODonnellFox13) December 8, 2013
Newly energized, the Bucs offense would refuse to go into halftime with just 17 points and started another drive. At the two-minute mark:
Two minutes left. #Bucs get a gift roughing the passer call. Ball at the 25. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) December 8, 2013
Rick Brown again, with 20 seconds on the clock:
complete to Tim Wright (hello Timmy). First and goal at the 5. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) December 8, 2013
The Bucs would pick up seven more to close out the quarter. TBO's Roy Cummings announces the point-scorer.
Mike Glennon with another two TD day as he throws 5-yard TD pass to Tim Wright. — Roy Cummings (@RCummingsTBO) December 8, 2013
At the half, the Bucs were on top of the Bills 24-3.
Halftime: TB 24, BUF 3 Rainey: 13 carries, 104 yds, TD Jackson: 3 catches, 70 yds, TD David: 1 sack, 1 INT #BUFvsTB pic.twitter.com/loVHPgWC9z — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) December 8, 2013
Buffalo would come out in the third quarter and put together a strong drive, taking the ball from their own 20 to the Buccaneer 24-yard line. From there, on third down, the defense would come up big again, ultimately giving up just a field goal. Auman and the Bills' official Twitter call the consecutive plays.
William Gholston gets a sack of EJ Manuel on third down. Should give him 1.5 for the day. Rookie from Michigan State emerging ... — Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 8, 2013
Dan Carpenter 46 yd FG is GOOD! #Bucs 24, #Bills 6 — Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) December 8, 2013
The Buccaneers offense went three-and-out, making room for more defensive magic with another huge stop. @TBBuccaneers and @THECaptainFear celebrate:
TURNOVER ALERT! @MasonFoster comes up with the interception off of EJ Manuel and it's Bucs ball on the Bucs 21! #BUFvsTB — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) December 8, 2013
To recap. Five sacks... five different players. Three picks... three different players. One fumble recovery. #itsabucslife #sharingiscaring — Captain Fear (@THECaptainFear) December 8, 2013
Another Tampa Bay punt, another Buffalo possession and another chance for a Buccaneer defensive takeaway. Darrelle Revis would lay a huge hit on Robert Woods causing the ball to come lose, straight into the arms of Lavonte David. The play would go down as an interception for David. Twitter sounds off:
Robert Woods hit hard by Darrelle Revis after the catch. Ball pops loose and recovered in mid-air by the #Bucs. #BUFvsTB — Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) December 8, 2013
Lavonte David is now one of just seven players in NFL history with at least 5 picks and 5 sacks in the same season. — Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) December 8, 2013
Revis also has a sack already today. Tremendous effort by the Bucs defense forcing these turnovers. Offense needs to capitalize though. — JennaLaineBucs (@JennaLaineBucs) December 8, 2013
David returned the interception 32 yards all the way down to the Buffalo 12-yard line, putting the offense in great position to add to their lead. On third down, Mike Glennon dropped back and found Vincent Jackson in the very back of the end zone, appearing to tap both toes. Here is the play, and following explanation from Twitter Officiating Guru, Mike Pereira.
Vincent Jackson gets another one in the endzone to add to the Bucs' lead. #GoBucs - play under review - ruled a TD — FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@MyFoxTampaBay) December 8, 2013
Ruling on the field reversed for Vincent Jackson's TD...his heels were over. Instead of a TD, it's 4th down. #BUFvsTB — JennaLaineBucs (@JennaLaineBucs) December 8, 2013
Pass in incomplete in TB - entire foot must come down inbounds — Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) December 8, 2013
Instead of a TD, Bucs settle for a 32-yard field goal by Rian Lindell, extending their lead to 27-6. #BUFvsTB — JennaLaineBucs (@JennaLaineBucs) December 8, 2013
After the field goal putting the Bucs up 27-3, the Bills' offense looked to show a sign of life.
Spiller is gone. He took off running and no one was going to catch him. Offensive holding brings it back though. No TD. — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) December 8, 2013
Holding negates what would have been an 83-yard TD. #BUFvsTB — Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) December 8, 2013
But, from there the drive would result in another punt. That would be the story for the majority of the fourth quarter, with the Buccaneers eating up the clock. 620 WDAE calls the time as the Bills' get the ball back, looking to add something to the scoreboard.
#Bucs punt with 5:34 to go in the ballgame, leading 27-6. — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) December 8, 2013
The Bucs would continue stuffing Manuel and the Bills attack, notching the sixth and seventh sack of the game on back-to-back plays, forcing a punt and sealing the win.
Gerald McCoy with the sack! Number seven on the year! Really hope he can get to 10. — Sander Philipse (@Bucs_Nation) December 8, 2013
Bucs D sacked EJ Manuel for the 7th time... story of his game right there. #GoBucs — FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@MyFoxTampaBay) December 8, 2013
The clock would hit zeroes as the Buccaneers defeated the Bills, 27-6.
Congrats on another win Bucs!!! — Doug Martin (@DougMartin22) December 8, 2013
FIRE THE CANNONS! BUCS WIN! Buccaneers 27 - Bills 6 Rainey: 22 carries, 127 yards, TD David: 2 INT, 1 sack #BUFvsTB pic.twitter.com/JTVCmONi6Y — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) December 8, 2013
