The Buccaneers were on the road in Week Nine, taking on the Cleveland Browns. To get things started, Bucs Senior Writer and Editor Scott Smith updated his followers on key inactives for the game.
The Bucs would get the ball first and quickly mount their first drive.
The Buccaneers lined up for three to cap off the opening drive, but a great Cleveland special teams play would ruin the scoring chance.
The Browns took over at the 23-yard line and moved the ball effectively themselves with two long passes from QB Brian Hoyer. A Bucs stop up the middle killed the drive and forced a field goal for the first points of the day.
The Bucs faced third-and-10 to open ensuing drive before converting on huge screen pass to Bobby Rainey.
Nice call on third and 10. Screen to Rainey. Rainey did a great job of setting up blocks down the field. 34-yard gain. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) November 2, 2014
Tampa Bay couldn't convert on the next third down try and brough the field goal unit back out to try a 55-yarder.
A Lovie Smith successful challenge overturned a 15-yard catch, forcing the Browns to punt. The Bucs tok over for their third drive at their own eight-yard line. After a first down, Glennon took a shot deep down the middle.
A 16-yard reception and four-yard run by Ben Tate put the Browns at the one-yard line. But the Bucs DEF would stand firm, dropping Tate for a loss of three, followed by this.
Bucs ball again and they get a jump-start from Bobby Rainey on a big run putting him over 100 yards in the half and setting up the Bucs first points of the day.
The Browns would look to answer back. On the first play of the drive…
With great field position after the turnover deep in Cleveland territory, the Buccaneers could not to capitalize, giving up their second interception of the day.
#Bucs Glennon gives it right back to the #Browns, S Tashaun Gipson with his 6th INT of the year. #Bucs987 http://t.co/vC1NfCX6NO — 98.7 The Fan (@987TheFan) November 2, 2014
The defense continued to power through the Browns offense, forcing a three-and out.
And the Buccaneers would again put together a scoring drive.
With two minutes to go, the Browns had a chance to answer and started to move the ball. Scott Smith provides a look at the stats so far, and we go back to our Twitter analysts to finish the drive.
Odd clock management by the Browns brings the field goal unit back out to end the first half. Buccaneers lead going into the locker room 10-9.
The Browns opened the second half, again driving their way into the Buccaneers red zone on eight plays. But the Bucs defense answered right back and forced them to settle for another three point try.
The penalty would give the Browns another chance. On second-and-goal from the two, Cleveland capitalized with their first touchdown of the day.
Two big catches from Vincent Jackson helped move the Buccaneers into Browns territory, but they ultimately punted the ball away. Cleveland would start at their nine-yard line but another big stand by the Bucs D quickly ended the possession.
Tampa Bay didn't hesitate once getting the ball back, taking the lead again with a quick drive and score.
MIKE EVANS again. TD!!! #Bucs Nice pass by Glennon! — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) November 2, 2014
Another Cleveland possession and another big Tampa Bay stand.
Back on offense, a 17-yarder to Vincent Jackson and a 5-yard Evans catch brought the game into the fourth quarter. The Bucs would be forced to punt the ball away, pinning Cleveland deep. A few critical Hoyer completions got the ball rolling for the Browns.
Browns now down to the 34. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) November 2, 2014
As has been the case all day, the Buccaneers defense didn't break, creating another huge takeaway and one of Twitter's favorite things.
FAT GUY INTERCEPTION. — Leo (@LeoHowell8) November 2, 2014
The offense was unable to move the ball and were forced to punt. For the second time of the day, a huge Browns special teams play hurt the Bucs.
The Browns would quickly convert the blocked kick into six points.
Cleveland would try to make it a seven-point game, but Major Wright stuffed the two-point conversion attempt.
The Buccaneers would punt away their next possession, giving the Browns the ball with seven minutes to play.
The drive would end with another big Buccaneers defensive stop.
2:37 to go with one chance left for the Buccaneers offense. First play:
Second:
The two-minute warning and two incompletions would make it fourth-and-one.
Fourth-and-11.
