The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started as fast as they ever have and a swarming Buccaneer defense made it stand up in a 21-point victory over the visiting Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers improved to 4-9 on the season, with four wins in their last five outings, while the Bills dropped to an identical 4-9 mark.
RB Bobby Rainey ran 80 yards for a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage, scoring 18 seconds into the game. The longest run in franchise history also produced the quickest score ever for the Buccaneers at the beginning of a game, and it gave them a lead they would never relinquish. Rookie QB Mike Glennon was pressured into completing just nine of 25 passes on the day, but he threw touchdown passes of 38 yards to Vincent Jackson and five yards to Tim Wright to build a 24-3 halftime lead for the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay's defense was even rougher on the game's other rookie quarterback, E.J. Manuel. The Bucs sacked Manuel seven times, picked him off four and allowed only 18 completions in 33 attempts. Tampa Bay's run defense was even more impressive against the NFL's fourth-ranked rushing attack, holding the dangerous duo of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller to just 22 yards on the day.
LB Lavonte David led the Bucs' defense with nine tackles, two interceptions and a sack, becoming just the seventh player in NFL history to record at least five sacks and at least five interceptions in the same season. CB Johnthan Banks and LB Mason Foster also recorded interceptions and rookie DE William Gholston led the pass-rush with 1.5 sacks.
