The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) fell short to the Green Bay Packers (2-1) 14-12 on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Tampa Bay scored on their opening drive courtesy of Ryan Succop's 45-yard field goal. Green Bay answered back with a score of their own on their first possession after Aaron Rodgers connected with Romeo Doubs for a 5-yard TD, giving the Packers a 7-3 lead in the opening quarter.
The Packers had possession of the ball to start the second quarter; Green Bay used two timeouts early on the drive. The drive went 71-yards in 12 plays, in which Aaron Rodgers connected with Allen Lazard on a 6-yard TD pass. The touchdown extended Green Bay's lead to 14-3 with just under 9-minutes remaining in the second quarter. Tampa Bay's offense wasn't able to get anything going on the following possession, punting the ball away from inside their own 20-yard line. However, the Buccaneers defense came up big, forcing Aaron Jones to fumble the ball, and Logan Ryan recovered the ball for the Bucs. The Bucs offense moved the ball down the field before Breshad Perriman coughed up the football, which was recovered by the Packers at their own 27-yard line. The Bucs defense stood tall, forcing Green Bay to punt the ball away; the Bucs took over on offense at their own 13-yard line. Brady and the Bucs downed the ball to end the opening half; Green Bay led Tampa Bay 14-3.
Green Bay's offense struggled to get anything going on the opening offensive drive of the second half; the Bucs defense forced a quick three and out. Tom Brady and the Buccaneers took over on offense from their own 21-yard line. The drive stalled out after another Buccaneers turnover, Russell Gage Jr. fumbled, and Green Bay recovered at midfield. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers were unable to move the chains and punted the ball away from their 44-yard line; the Bucs took over on offense at their 2-yard line following great punt coverage by Green Bay. The Packers defense stood their ground, forcing the Bucs to punt out of their endzone. Green Bay's offense took over at their 7-yard line following an illegal block in the back on the punt return. Bucs S Logan Ryan picked off Aaron Rodgers with just under 8-minutes left in the third quarter. The Bucs settled for a 45-yard field goal courtesy of Ryan Succop with 6:22 left in the third quarter. The Packers held onto a 14-6 lead heading into the 4th.
Both offenses struggled to move the ball down the field early in the fourth quarter, with both teams exchanging punts. However, the Buccaneers did get some momentum going late in the 4th quarter. Tom Brady and the Bucs marched down the field, putting the Bucs offense at the Green Bay 3-yard line. The Bucs scored a touchdown as Tom Brady connected with Russell Gage Jr., but the 2-point try failed. The Packers won 14-12 over the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers now prepare to face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, October 2nd. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 PM - you can hear the game on 97.9 WXTB-FM - The Mighty 98 Rock.
PHOTO COURTESY: GETTY IMAGES