There was plenty to get excited about as the Monday Night Football trucked rolled into Raymond James Stadium last night. A national spotlight under the bright lights; honoring Salute to Service on Veteran's Day; and the long-awaited Ring of Honor and jersey retirement ceremony of Bucs legend Warren Sapp. And at the end of the night, there was one more thing to celebrate as the "Tampa Bay" chants echoed into the parking lots after the Bucs 22-19 victory. Let's take a look at how it all went down on Twitter. With the rest of the Week 10 NFL games played out, all of social media's eyes were focus on Tampa. NFL Network ran a number of stats about the good things that have been going for the Bucs with this matchup.
.@MiamiDolphins allowed 35 sacks (most NFL) Matches total from all of 2012. Sacked as many times in 4th Q as much as RG3 & M. Ryan in 2013 — NFLNPlaybook (@NFLNPlaybook) November 12, 2013
.@MikeGlennon 123 completions most for any player thru 1st 5 career games. 204 passATT 2nd most in 1st 5 games #rookie #thrownintofire — NFLNPlaybook (@NFLNPlaybook) November 12, 2013
.@NewEra54 only player in NFL w/ 70 TKLS (70) 5 sacks (5) & INT (1) #CornHusker — NFLNPlaybook (@NFLNPlaybook) November 12, 2013
Over on ESPN, the analysts liked what they were seeing from the home team. Buccaneers.com Senior Writer and Editor Scott Smith sounded off on their predictions:
Eight of the nine ESPN analysts pick the Bucs to win tonight. Is that a good thing? — Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) November 12, 2013
But 8:40 would soon roll around, which means just one thing!
RT if you are ready for some FOOTBALL!! — ESPN Monday Night (@ESPNMondayNight) November 12, 2013
Awesome Veteran's Day tribute by the @TBBuccaneers to open the game! --> pic.twitter.com/zSYEyI7zsP — ESPN Monday Night (@ESPNMondayNight) November 12, 2013
Thank You Veterans! #HappyVeteransDay #MIAvsTB #MNF #ItsABucsLife pic.twitter.com/UFZdPtfdxH — Colin Rossi (@CRossi5) November 12, 2013
The Bucs had the ball first and struck immediately with a 30-yard toss to WR Tiquan Underwood. RB Mike James dashed to the red zone on a 24-yard run, but on his next carry, the Bucs would get some bad news.
Mike James for 3. Third and goal from the 1. Oh no. Mike James is down. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) November 12, 2013
The Bucs have brought a cart out for RB Mike James. Unreal. — Roy Cummings (@RCummingsTBO) November 12, 2013
The offense would then take the field, as Buccaneers' mascot, Captain Fear asked this of his followers:
Red zone! Tell me which Buc you think gets the first score? #itsabucslife — Captain Fear (@THECaptainFear) November 12, 2013
It would only take one play for all who answered to know they were incorrect.
I promise that wasn't a trick question. I had no idea it would be DONALD PENN! #boomboomboomboomboomboom! 7-0 Bucs! — Captain Fear (@THECaptainFear) November 12, 2013
Bucs tackle Donald Penn is listed 6'5", 340 lbs. He just scored a TD on the tackle-eligible pass. AND he dunked over crossbar. #BigFella — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 12, 2013
The Bucs defense would thrive off the energy and force a Miami three-and-out. The Bucs would get two quick first downs, then settle for a Lindell 24-yard field goal. Buccaneer receiver Mike Williams enjoyed the score:
10 zero ill take it buc ahhhhhhhhhhh — * Mike Williams * (@Mikebuc19) November 12, 2013
The first quarter would come to a close with the stats heavily in Buccaneer favor. Scott Smith and the official Buccaneers Twitter would post a few notes:
Rushing yards at the end of quarter one: Bucs 72, Dolphins 4. — Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) November 12, 2013
End of 1st Quarter, TB 10, MIA 0. Glennon is 4/6 for 54 yards and a TD. #MIAvsTB #MNF pic.twitter.com/01FZboNEBu — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) November 12, 2013
The second quarter began with a Buccaneer punt. Miami Sports Network showed their respect for the good recovery:
Bucs punt pins the Dolphins to the 2 yard line. Great punt by the Bucs, Fins will need a long drive. #startswithafirstdown #MIAvsTB — Miami Sports Network (@MiamiSportsNet) November 12, 2013
On first down, McCoy would take down Charles Clay for a loss of one. The NFL on ESPN and former Buccaneers QB Shaun King would call the second down play:
SAFETY! Lavonte David blitzes through the line to tackle Daniel Thomas in the end zone. — NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 12, 2013
Great play by lavonte david. I named him my midseason defensive mvp on @SportsDash last week — shaun king (@realshaunking) November 12, 2013
Up 12-0, the Bucs would get the kick and the offense would drive again. 620 WDAE calls the score:
Rian Lindell 35-yd FG is good. #Bucs lead #Dolphins 15-0 with 9:01 left in 2nd quarter — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) November 12, 2013
With the offense firing, the defense kept pace. Both CB Darrelle Revis and Miami WR Mike Wallace would finally get their names on the score sheet, as told by Scott Smith again:
So Mike Wallace has his first catch of the night against Darrelle Revis. For negative-five yards. — Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) November 12, 2013
That big stop forced another punt and another big play by the Bucs special teams unit. Pewter Report reports:
Miami forced to punt and Page takes it 55 yards down to the Miami 40-yard line. — Pewter Report (@PewterReport) November 12, 2013
As the teams made their way to halftime, plenty of love came the Buccaneers way from a number of local media tweeters:
Bucs playing lights out. Firing on all cylinders. And all the other sports clichés you can think of. #GoBucs #LoveIt #itsabucslife — Charley Belcher FOX (@CharleyBelcher) November 12, 2013
Bucs have outgained the Dolphins 77-2 on the ground. Total domination by the home team so far — Ira Kaufman (@IKaufmanTBO) November 12, 2013
LB LaVonte David showcasing his immense talent on the big stage tonight #Bucs #ProBowl — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) November 12, 2013
The half would end however on one long Dolphins drive. Starting at their 10-yard line, the Dolphins would take it 90 yards for the score with 28 seconds remaining. Mike Clay of Pro Football Focus calls the unlikely source for the Dolphins.
8-77-1 for Brandon Gibson's replacement, Rishard Matthews — Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) November 12, 2013
At halftime, here is how it stood.
Halftime: Bucs lead 15-7 thanks to a touchdown and impressive DUNK from 340-pound Donald Penn. pic.twitter.com/GDCuNWBuCX — NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 12, 2013
As the team took their locker rooms, the fans remained in their seats to honor one of the night's many heroes, Buccaneer legend Warren Sapp and his induction into the Tampa Bay Buccaneer Ring of Honor. Let's briefly relive it.
Warren Sapp, Hall of Fame jacket on, about to enter for halftime Ring of Honor. #TBBucs pic.twitter.com/mOZQuRHShT — Joey Johnston (@JJohnstonTBO) November 12, 2013
As ceremony for Sapp begins, fans chanting "Wah-wren... Wah-wren.. " as Sapp dances in background. — JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) November 12, 2013
#Bucs Ring of Honor Ceremony Warren Sapp yucking it up. pic.twitter.com/P58rKxi7wN — Kevin ODonnell Fox13 (@ODonnellFox13) November 12, 2013
Warren Sapp 99 is number 1 @MiamiHurricanes #itsabucslife #TheU #Canes #MIAvsTB pic.twitter.com/dgZDJ4Jnfd — Manny Matos (@RealManny_Matos) November 12, 2013
At the half and time to honor 99. #MIAvsTB #Bucs #mnf pic.twitter.com/HShjamI20C — JC De La Torre (@jcdelatorre) November 12, 2013
Congratulations to a Warren Sapp on a great career and a great night. — Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) November 12, 2013
"If there was one guy I'd get in a foxhole with it would be @WarrenSapp" - Gruden — ESPN Monday Night (@ESPNMondayNight) November 12, 2013
The last (but not least) item on Warren Sapp's thank you list: The fans of Tampa Bay. "My heart and soul is here in Tampa Bay." — Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) November 12, 2013
On the first drive of the second half, the Miami offense would stall, but they would post their own great special teams play, as noted by Tom Krasniqi of 620 WDAE:
Terrific punt by Miami... #Bucs pinned back inside their own 1 yard line — Tom Krasniqi (@TKras) November 12, 2013
The Bucs would narrowly escape being tackled in their own end zone and punt the ball away. Dolphins' returner Thigpen returned the punt to the 29-yard line, setting up the next Dolphins score:
Sturgis' 40-yard kick is good! The score is now TB 15 MIA 10 with 7:57 to go in the 3rd QTR. #MIAvsTB — Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 12, 2013
Another Buccaneers punt and more Dolphins points. @TBBuccaneers calls the go-ahead points as social media would turn a bit sour on the home team.
MIA 16, TB 15 - 2:01 left in the 3rd quarter Tannehill hits Matthews for a 19-yard TD 2-point conversion is no good #MIAvsTB #MNF — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) November 12, 2013
The Bucs would get the ball back, but times would seemingly get worse. Pewter Report again makes the call of another Buccaneer late-game misstep.
Glennon is intercepted by Wilson and takes it down to the Bucs seven yard line. — Pewter Report (@PewterReport) November 12, 2013
With just seven yards between the Dolphins offense and the end zone, the Buccaneers defense would stand firm, forcing just a field goal, giving Miami a 19-15 lead.
Great stop by #Bucs defense. Huge — Anthony Becht (@Anthony_Becht) November 12, 2013
The next Buccaneer drive would start the fourth quarter and the Bucs returned to their proven ground game. Brian Leonard ran the ball five straight times for 30 yards. Then after a 17-yard connection from Glennon to Underwood, RB Bobby Rainey would take over. Again, WDAE calls the plays:
Bobby Rainey rips off a 31-yd run down to the Miami 1 yard line!! Wow #Bucs — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) November 12, 2013
TD #Bucs!! Rainey 1-yd TD run! #Bucs reclaim the lead — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) November 12, 2013
The Buccaneers forced the Dolphins to punt on the ensuing drive, giving the Bucs the ball again with 7:17 on the clock. The Dolphins defense forced an incompletion on third down, but were called with a Roughing the Passer penalty, giving the Bucs a first. Rainey would add another before the Bucs were forced to punt with 3:08 remaining, still holding the 22-19 lead.
#Dolphins have the ball at their own 5 with 3 minutes left. #Bucs up 22-19 #CrunchTime — Tom Krasniqi (@TKras) November 12, 2013
And so the story began to play out again. The drive would start with passes of three, 14 and 11 yards before the whistle blew with two minutes left.
2 minute warning. #Bucs lead #Dolphins 22-19. Miami with ball at their own 32 with all 3 timeouts left — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) November 12, 2013
But then, coming out of the break:
Finally....Sack #Bucs — Anthony Becht (@Anthony_Becht) November 12, 2013
And then, coming off of that sack:
Again Sack...... Huuuuggggeeee #Bucs — Anthony Becht (@Anthony_Becht) November 12, 2013
After a third down incompletion, the Dolphins had one more chance on fourth-and-27. Ryan Tannehill would throw it deep for Mike Wallace and the ball was cut off. The Monday Night Football crew announced the key stop.
Darrelle Revis puts the nail in the coffin! — ESPN Monday Night (@ESPNMondayNight) November 12, 2013
And with a few more offensive plays, the clock would run down to 00, giving the Bucs their first victory of the season.
FIRE THE CANNONS! BUCS WIN! TB 22, MIA 19 The Bucs Defense holds Miami to 2 rushing yards in the win. #MIAvsTB #MNF pic.twitter.com/rm7pSoNPU6 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) November 12, 2013
Just as (almost) everyone predicted: Bucs get their first win of the season with a 22-19 victory over the Dolphins! pic.twitter.com/ZPBk6Lykqo — NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 12, 2013
CONGRATS ON THE WIN BUCS!!!!WAY TO FINISH!!!!! — Doug Martin (@DougMartin22) November 12, 2013
And, just to tie the home-field first win of the season all together, one more piece from the Man of the Night, Warren Sapp's halftime Ring of Honor speech:
Warren Sapp on joining Bucs' Ring of Honor tonight: "This felt a lot better than Canton, because this is home." — Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 12, 2013
