Wild Card Game Recap – Tampa Bay at Washington
January 9, 2021
By Noonefromtampa
Final Score: Buccaneers 31, WFT 23
Game Summary
First Quarter
The Washington Football Team won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened with a nine play drive that covered 80 yards, including a 15 yard face mask penalty on Kendall Fuller. Tom Brady hit completions of 15 yards to Mike Evans and 17 yards to Chris Godwin, while Leonard Fournette picked up 23 yards on 3 carries. The WFT defense stiffened when the Buccaneers got into the red zone and forced a 29 yard Ryann Succop field goal. After the kickoff Washington went three and out, missing a great opportunity when Cam Sims dropped a well thrown ball from Taylor Heinicke over the deep middle. On the next Bucs series, Tampa only managed to move 16 yards in 5 plays before being forced to punt after Kendall Fuller broke up a first down pass to Evans. Washington’s next series featured a 36 yard completion to Cam Sims; however, on another throw to Terry McLaurin the ball was tipped by Kevin Minter and intercepted by Sean Murphy-Bunting. Brady hit two good throws on the next drive a 15 yard completion on 3rd down to Scott Miller and a 36 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown. The extra point was no good.
Score: Buccaneers 9, WFT 0
Second Quarter
In a drive that started in the first quarter, Heinicke was able to use his legs to extend plays, completing a 24 yard pass to Logan Thomas and an 18 yard pass to McLaurin, while picking up 10 yards scrambling to move the team to the red zone. A 10 yard completion to Steven Sims made it first and goal. Three runs later, J.D. McKissic was able to score a 2 yard touchdown. Dustin Hopkins hit a shot off the upright to make the extra point. Washington tried an unsuccessful onside kick and the Bucs made quick work of the shorter field. A 22 yard end around run by Brown and multiple runs by Fournette led to a 27 yard touchdown pass to Godwin. The two-point conversion failed. Washington answered with 9 play drive that went 34 yards and ended on a drop by Cam Sims, but it was clearly defensive pass interference which was not called. WFT punted to the Tampa Bay 13 yard line with no return on excellent punt coverage. With little pressure from Washington’s pass rush, Brady was able to complete passes of 22-yards on screen to Fournette, plus 19 yard and 24 yard completions to Cameron Brate. The drive ended up being 10 plays for 81 yards ending with a 23 yard field by Succop after the defense held in the red zone. WFT went three and out on their next series, with a booth review on a possible fumble when Heinicke was sacked. The Bucs were held to a short drive of 11 yards with Brady being sacked on third down by Montez Sweat. Washington got the ball back with 42 seconds left in the half deep on their own side of the field, but were unable to move the ball very far, only 20 yards.
Score: Buccaneers 18, WFT 7
Third Quarter
WFT started on offense in the second half. After a 31 yard return by Danny Johnson, Washington drove 52 yards in 7 plays where Heinicke was able to complete a 12 yard pass to McLaurin and a 29 yard toss to Thomas. On third down, Heinicke threw high to Thomas and Washington had to settle for a 36 yard field by Hopkins. The WFT held the Bucs to a 3 and out on their first series of the second half. On the next series, a holding penalty on Brandon Scherff negated a first down scramble by Heinicke, putting Washington into a 3rd and long situation which they failed to convert, forcing a 3 and out. After the punt, the Bucs drove 41 yards before Daron Payne forced a fumble by Ke’Shawn Vaughn which was recovered by Jonathan Bostic at the Washington 39. Heinicke hit Cam Sims for 19 yards and picked up 13 yards on a scramble. A 15 yard penalty for a horse collar tackle was called on a run by Antonio Gibson. Once in the red zone, Heinicke was able to scramble and score a touchdown on an 8 yard run while avoiding getting sacked. The two point conversion attempt failed.
Score: Buccaneers 18, WFT 16
Fourth Quarter
In a drive that started in the third quarter, the Bucs were able to move the ball 55 yards in 9 plays before Payne sacked Brady forcing a 3rd and long which they failed to convert. Succop hit the 38 yard field goal to make the score 21-16. Brady hit a 23 yard completion to Brate and a 17 yard completion to Evans on the drive. On the next series, Washington only gained one yard, but more importantly Heinicke was injured, completing the series but leaving the sidelines with a shoulder injury. After the punt, the Brady completed a 20 yard pass to Evans, Fournette ran for 17 yards and then Evans caught a 19 yard pass to the Bucs deep in the red zone. A touchdown throw to Brate was overturned on review, but Fournette scored on a 3 yard run on the next play. The extra point was good. Heinicke was questionable to return, but he was able to play on the next series. Heinicke drove the team down the field in 10 plays and 75 yards to throw an 11 yard touchdown pass to Steven Sims. Key plays on the drive were a 23 yard completion to Cam Sims and a 16 yard completion to McLaurin. On the next Bucs series, Brady was able to thread a pass to Evans for a 35 yard completion, Fournette had 13 yard run and Godwin caught a 16 yard pass to put them in field goal range. Succop hit a 37 yarder just inside the left upright. Washington was able to pick up 26 yards on two plays but Heinicke was sacked on 3rd down by Lavonte David losing 11 yards. Thomas was unable to catch a jump ball on a long 4th down throw and the Bucs were able to run out the clock after the turnover on downs.
Score: Buccaneers 31, WFT 23
The Numbers
Points off turnovers: Buccaneers 6, WFT 6
Turnovers: Buccaneers 1, WFT 1
Sacks: Buccaneers 2, WFT 3
WFT QB: 26-44, 306 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 46 yards rushing 1 TD
Key Injuries
Taylor Heinicke (shoulder) – returned to game
Heroes and Goats
Taylor Heinicke, played tough and played well – Hero
Cam Sims – 7 catches for 104 yards – Hero
Tom Brady – GOAT, not goat