Looks like a picture-perfect day here @MLStadium to kickoff the Bucs 2013 regular season! #ItsABucsLife pic.twitter.com/XfV5V45O8u — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) September 8, 2013
A slow start offensively for the Buccaneers led directly to the first points of the game. New York Jets – 2, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 0. From Pewter Report:
Well... A safety now makes it 2-0 #Jets. Freeman kicked the ball after the snap came as he was not ready. — Pewter Report (@PewterReport) September 8, 2013
The Bucaneers answer back before the close of the quarter. Local writer JoeBucsFan praises Freeman on a laser throw for the first Buccaneers touchdown of the season:
That was a BEAUTIFUL pass by Freeman to Mike Williams. Waited for Williams to get open and threaded needle. — JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) September 8, 2013
First half note from Bucs reporter and Sports talk host Tom Krasniqi of 620 WDAE and 95.3FM Tampa Bay:
Revis has played in 17 of the 22 snaps. Targeted 4 times. 2 PBUs. Just one completion against him. Translation: he looks good #Bucs — Tom Krasniqi (@TKras) September 8, 2013
A big turnover for the Bucs. @TBBuccaneers highlights:
First huge defensive play of the season goes to Mason Foster - forces a Geno Smith fumble that Akeem Spence recovered at the Jets' 5. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) September 8, 2013
One play later, its Doug Martin, as called by Buccaneer mascot, Captain Fear:
And just like that! #BoomBoomBoomBoomBoomBoom! 14-5 Buccaneers on the legs of my man the Dougernaut! #itsabucslife. — Captain Fear (@THECaptainFear) September 8, 2013
As the first half closes, Jets QB Geno Smith tosses his first career TD:
Congrats to @Jets QB Geno Smith on his first NFL touchdown pass. 7 yards to Kellen Winslow Jr. --- #TBvsNYJ — NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 8, 2013
ESPN's Pat Yasinskas efficiently sums up the Bucs vs Jets 3rd quarter:
At least we're seeing some good punting today. That was 57 yards by Koenen. — Pat Yasinskas (@PatYazESPN) September 8, 2013
Up 14-12 in the fourth quarter, TBO writer Ira Kaufmann noted this about Vincent Jackson, who ended the game with 154 receiving yards on seven receptions, his 6th 100 yard game as a Buc:
Vincent Jackson caught one ball all of preseason and declared himself ready to go. Guess he was right. — Ira Kaufman (@IKaufmanTBO) September 8, 2013
With time running down, a field goal put the Jets ahead. TBO's Roy Cummings added:
Nick Folk's 30 FG makes it 15-14 Jets with 5:05 left in 4th Q. Bucs have to get their offense in gear to win this one — Roy Cummings (@RCummingsTBO) September 8, 2013
After a Buccaneer three and out, with just ##### left, the Bucs' defense took the field again, down 15-14. Lakeland Ledger writer Rick Brown:
Bucs need a 3 and out now. Or a turnover. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) September 8, 2013
And the three-and-out did come. 2:14 remaining. Buccaneers offense on the field at their own 20-yard line. A few plays later, WDAE 620 commented:
Freeman with a big 37-yd completion to VJax on 3rd and 10! They're in FG range! #Bucs — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) September 8, 2013
Fourth down. 38 seconds left. Tampa Bay Buccaneers official Twitter @TBBuccaneers:
K Ryan Lindell's 37-yard FG gives the Bucs a 17-15 lead over the Jets with 0:34 remaining in the game! — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) September 8, 2013
Jets get the ball back. Deep pass down the middle. Then Geno Smith runs to the right, going out of bounds, he is pushed by Lavonte David. 15-yard late hit out of bounds penalty called. Jets in field goal range. Buccaneer legendary LB has this to say:
Tough tough, oh,my young LB, I will use this as teachable moment, no words as this moment. Sorry, he will make up for this play,trust me — Derrick Brooks (@DBrooks55) September 8, 2013
Jets K Nick Folk connects from 48 yards out. And the clock winds down.
FINAL: @TBBuccaneers 17 @nyjets 18 http://t.co/sScUxLBWUB #TBvsNYJ — NFL (@nfl) September 8, 2013
