Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals NFL
- by Israel Caldwell
- in Sports
- — Oct 16, 2017
Arizona ran for 160 yards after averaging 52 yards rushing through five games, by far the worst in the league. He talked to trainers. He sat down. He made a few more.
Winston was injured on the Buccaneers' first series of the game when he scrambled outside of the pocket looking to throw and was hit by pass rusher Chandler Jones. It was 31-0 by the start of the third quarter. They then added a field goal and a forced turnover on downs after Jameis Winston exited the game due to injury just before the end of the half.
Adrian Peterson didn't ask to be traded to the Cardinals, but he was relieved when it happened.
The four-time All-Pro running back rushed for two touchdowns and 134 yards, and the Cardinals held off a furious second-half rally to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-33. Running back Doug Martin gained 74 yards and scored a touchdown on 13 carries in his first game after sitting out the first three games while serving a suspension. That streak was broken when Brent Grimes intercepted Palmer midway through the third quarter.
"I obviously did a terrible job of getting these guys ready to play", Tampa Bay coach Dirk Koetter said, "because that was the worst first half of football I've ever seen".
The Bucs will have rookie Justin Evans starting at safety in Tandy's place, though the team didn't announce whether Ward or Chris Conte would start at the other safety spot. X-rays were negative, but head coach Dirk Koetter said the team likely won't know the full extent of the injury until Monday. It was just pain.
"I'll be back soon", Winston said.
"I feel like with the addition of him and what he brings to the table, I think B.A. would hopefully lean on him a little bit more, seeing that this is the reason we brought him here".
"I feel like any system is about being on the same page with the offensive line", he said, "knowing your assignments, knowing the route you have with protections to make sure you keep the quarterback upright".
Palmer made it 31-0 with his 17-yard touchdown pass to John Brown to start the third quarter. But both two-point conversion tries failed.
Despite a fourth-quarter fumble that was recovered and returned for a touchdown, Fitz moved up to No. 7 on the NFL's all-time receiving list with his 10 catches for 138 yards on Sunday, and his onside-kick recovery with two minutes to play ensured the Bucs wouldn't have a chance to complete their comeback.