See what happens when you can be a two-dimensional offense, Tampa Bay? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the first ever NFL game in Munich, Germany as they beat the Seahawks 21-16 on the back of an impressive rushing performance.
Now, that looked like the 2020 Super Bowl winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers we all know.
After 10 weeks of inconsistent, lethargic, and unimaginative football that was devoid of any passion or willpower, the Buccaneers finally put a performance together that was worthy of their talent. Coming into the game with a 4-5 record and having lost 3 of their 4 games, the Buccaneers needed to win this game and get a winning streak going to cement their lead atop the NFC South.
However, with the Seahawks bursting out of the gate to the start of this season with a 6-3 record, it was going to be an almighty task in beating Pete Caroll’s young, hungry team….or so I thought.
For the first time this season, the Buccaneers actually RAN THE BALL. A lot.
Rookie RB Rachad White exploded on the Seattle Seahawks as he rushed the ball 22 times for a season high 105 yards. The Seahawks defense, which has been pretty horrific at stopping the run this season, had no answers for the league’s worse rushing attack. Now, I don’t want to get carried away as White hasn’t had a game nearly as good as the one today all season long, but his performance was very impressive.
If he can continue to be this team’s explosive RB, while Lenny Fornette (14 CAR, 57 yards, 1 TD) is the power back, then Tampa Bay may not need a new running backfield next season. Though, I have my doubts that these guys will be able to rush for 161 yards against anyone else (and especially not against anyone good).
As for Tom Brady, he finally had a game where he didn’t need to throw the ball 50,000 times. Going 22/29 for 258 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT, Brady looked his usual self again as he picked apart the Seahawks secondary time and again.
You know, it’s funny how efficient Tom Brady and this Tampa Bay offense can be when its rushing attack can actually pick up yardage and give Brady manageable 3rd downs to convert. It’s not like he’s made his entire Hall of Fame career and won seven Super Bowls with two franchises on such scenarios.
Anyway, Brady and his wide receivers finally looked in sync with one another as he was throwing darts to Julio Jones, Chris Godwin, and Mike Evans in big moments, with Jones and Godwin catching two crucial touchdowns to put the Bucs up 14-3 for most of the game, forcing the Seahawks to abandon their rushing game early on.
And, unfortunately for Seahawks fans, if you need Geno Smith to win you a game with his arm alone, you’re in massive trouble.
This Seahawks teams works best when they can get Kenneth Walker III to rush down the throats of the opposing defense and their offensive lineman to crush whoever is left standing. When Geno Smith is needed to carry them to victory is when things start to go array.
Sure, Smith had a pretty good game as he went 22/33 for 275 yards, 2 TDs, but he had a bad redzone fumble late in the 3rd Quarter that directly led to Brady’s TD pass to Chris Godwin at the start of the 4th Quarter to make it a 21-3 game. And, when the Bucs lead was practically three scores, it became hopeless for Geno Smith, DK Metcalf (6 REC, 71 yards), and the rest of the Seahawks offense to come back.
Even when LB Cody Barton picked off a terrible Brady throw late in the 4th to make it 21-16, the Bucs defense, led by Lavonte David, Devin White, and Carlton Daivs held them out of the endzone to preserve the win for Tampa.
This game was such a massive win for the Bucs (5-5). Beating the Seahawks (6-4) should get them rolling on a much-needed winning streak as they only have to face two teams (Bengals, 49ers) above .500 in their final seven games of the year.
As for the Seahawks, this lose really is a nail in their tires. They are still atop of the NFC West, but they have played two more games than the San Francisco 49ers (4-4). We’ll see if they can rebound and continue their unlikely push to the playoffs.
Though, before I wrap this up, let me just say that the Munich crowd was AWESOME! They were cheering, singing, laughing, and celebrating every play as if the Seahawks and the Buccaneers were in their own stadiums. If the logistics of having an NFL team in Germany were not as horrible as they are right now, then I’d be advocating for a team to be based out of their immediately. The fans were outstanding!
(PS: Why do teams keep having Tom Brady play WR? Haven’t they learned he is the WORST WR in the history of the game?)
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