Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8) – Cincinnati Bengals (10-4): 23-34
At this level, such air pockets do not forgive. In front of 17 to 3 at the break, the Floridians of Tom Brady (30/44, 312 yards, 3 TDs, 2 interceptions, 2 fumbles) were heading for redemption after their heavy defeat against the 49ers last week (35-7) . Except that the third quarter was fatal to them. By chaining a failure on fourth attempt, following a fumble, then an interception and two fumbles from their pitcher, the Bucs put their opponent back in the game.
The Bengals were quick to pass at the start of the fourth quarter (27-17). And if a new interception from Brady in stride was not penalized on points, the damage was done. With 5 ball losses in a row, the mass was said against the Bengals and a Joe Burrow (27/39, 200 yards, 4TDs, 1 Int) who nailed the match on a long drive concluded by Joe Milcox (34 -17), before a final anecdotal mark from Russell Gage (34-23). The Ohio players chain a sixth victory in a row and keep the reins of the AFC North.
One half each
However, it was Joe who had missed his arrival at the office by starting his match with an ugly interception on the opposing 40 yards while seeking Ja’Marr Chase (7 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD). Once is not custom, the terrible duo of LSU did not speak the powder, well contained by the air defense of the Bucs, while Samaje Perine (24 yards on 7 attempts) and the running game were completely annihilated.
The Floridians started the game on a high note and showed an offensive renewal. Calm and precise, Brady should have brought points from each of his possessions in the first half if it weren’t for Ryan Succop’s missed field goal from 50 yards. Still, with a field goal and two touchdown passes for Russell Gage and Chris Godwin, Tom and company are logically ahead at the break (17-3).
79 yards for 3 touchdowns
If the two teams therefore had a half each, the Buccaneers’ failures were much more costly. The Bengals only had to go 79 yards to afford the 3 touchdowns that overturned the game. They thus impose themselves quietly despite a number of yards much lower than that of their opponents (237 against 396).
Too bad for Tampa, but the Floridians will console themselves by keeping the lead of an NFC South in freefall which leaves them room to qualify for the playoffs. The interesting match of the duo Chris Godwin – Mike Evans (83 yards each) can invite some optimism: Brady will not lose 4 balls in every game. For Cincinnati, all the lights are green.
