By Tom Krasniqi

 

The game came down to the right foot of Redskins kicker Billy Cundiff.  After missing three field goals during the game, Cundiff booted a 41-yard field goal with 3-seconds left to give the Redskins a dramatic 24-22 victory over the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. 

It was a tale of two halves for the Buccaneers against the Redskins.  Tampa Bay almost did it but they couldn’t overcome a bad first half offensively in which they had just 132 yards of total offense.

The Bucs got on the board first on a 50-yard field goal by Connor Barth in the first quarter.  It capped a 7-play 38-yard drive.  On the ensuing possession, the Redskins responded.  Washington drove the ball down the field on a 7-play, 75-yard drive in 4-minutes and 42 seconds.  It culminated in wacky fashion: Robert Griffin III on a draw play up the middle was creamed by Mark Barron at the goal line and fumbled in the end zone.  Pierre Garcon recovered the fumble for the score.   Redskins led the Bucs 7-3 after the first quarter of play. 

Redskins opened things up in the 2nd quarter.  An unnecessary roughness call on Mark Barron followed by a pass interference call on Ronde Barber set up the Redskins in Bucs’ territory.  But the drive ended with Billy Cundiff missing a 41-yard field goal, wide right.  Two plays later, Freeman was picked off by DeAngelo Hall along the sideline as he was trying to get it to Vincent Jackson.  The Skins would cash in on a 5-yard TD run by RG3.  It capped out a 7-play 35 yard drive to give Washington a 14-3 lead.  After the Bucs went 3 and out again, the Redskins struck quickly.  They went two plays and 60 yards.  RG3 hit Leonard Hankerson on a 21-yard catch and run.  Then, Alfred Morris rumbled 39 yards for the touchdown to give the Redskins a 21-3 lead.  The Bucs responded with a 57-yard FG by Barth to make it a 21-6 game with less than 2-minutes left before the half.  Billy Cundiff missed a 57-yd FG before the half but the Redskins went into the locker room with a 21-6 halftime lead.

Bucs drew a little closer in the 3rd quarter.  Freeman threw a 7-yard TD pass to Vincent Jackson to make it 21-13 Washington.  The big play on the drive was a 65-yard completion from Freeman to Mike Williams.  In the 4th quarter, the Bucs got a 2-yard TD run by LeGarrette Blount to make it 21-19.  The two-point try was no good as Freeman’s pass for Williams was incomplete.  Bucs drove it down the field and got a 47-yard FG by Barth to take a 22-21 lead with 1:42 left.  But RG3 led the Redskins down the field and set up Cundiff for a 41-yard FG that he nailed with 3-seconds left.  Redskins escape with a win and heartache for the Bucs going into their bye. 

 

 

 

News & Notes:

  • Penalties killed the Bucs today.  Tampa Bay committed 10 penalties for 107 yards.
  • Rookie running back Doug Martin was stymied again.  He had just 8 carries for 33 yards.  Meanwhile, LeGarrette Blount had 6 carries for 17 yards and a touchdown.
  • The Bucs starting wideouts each recorded a 100-yard receiving day.   Vincent Jackson had a terrific game with 6 catches for 100 yards and a TD.  He was targeted 11 times during the game.  Mike Williams had 4 receptions for 115 yards.
  • Josh Freeman completed just 24 of 39 passes for 299 yards, one TD and one INT.  Freeman was up and down on the night but really looked comfortable in the 2nd half when the Bucs took their shots down the field.
  • Robert Griffin III was poised on the Redskins’ final drive to set up the game-winning field goal.  He was 4 of 5 passing for 46 yards and added a scramble of 15 yards.  His lone incompletion was a spike to stop the clock.  He finished the game with 323 yards passing and added 43 yards rushing and a  rushing touchdown.  By the way, he didn’t turn the ball over.  He’s the real deal folks. 
  • Bucs CB Eric Wright left the game with a head injury and did not return.
  • The Bucs are on the bye next week.  They host Kansas City next.