Buccaneers fluster Mike Glennon, Bears in post-Hurricane Irma opener
TAMPA – Hurricane Irma pushed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' season opener back one week, but the team didn't appear to be slowed down by any of the fallout.
The Buccaneers demolished the Chicago Bears on Sunday in a 29-7 win at Raymond James Stadium after last week's game at the Miami Dolphins was moved to Week 11, when both teams had shared a bye.
Several Buccaneers players and coaches drove north to evacuate out of Irma’s path, while a few hunkered down and remained in the area. The Glazer family, owners of the franchise, chartered five planes to temporarily relocate players, coaches and football staff to Charlotte while the storm passed through the area.
“It threw everything off,” Buccaneers defensive end Noah Spence told Paste BN Sports. “But everybody came in and was like, ‘Yo, it’s work week, let’s do it and get this win.’ That helped a lot. It motivated everybody to come together and play like savages.”
Tampa’s defense stifled Bears quarterback Mike Glennon, who made his return after playing for the Buccaneers the first four seasons of his career, and capitalized on several mistakes.
Glennon completed 31 of 45 passes for 301 yards and a touchdown. He tossed two interceptions, including a pick-six, and also lost a fumble on a strip sack. But coach John Fox stuck with him throughout the game, refusing to put in No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky.
Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston completed 18 of 30 attempts for 204 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Mike Evans caught seven passes for 93 yards and also hauled in Winston’s scoring strike, a 13-yard back-shoulder throw one play after Bears rookie running back Tarik Cohen fumbled a punt.
It was Tampa Bay’s defense, though, that stood out most Sunday. The unit collected four sacks, hit Glennon eight times, posted six tackles for loss and defended five passes. It nearly completed a shutout, with its effort spoiled only by Glennon's touchdown throw with 1:43 remaining.
The Buccaneers, joined by the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars, wore a decal on the back of their helmets with the words “ONE FLORIDA” printed on top of the state's silhouette. The team also donated a section of tickets to first responders from the Tampa Bay area, as well as surrounding counties.
“That’s what we were all feeling throughout the week,” Spence continued. “I was like, ‘Man, these fans need this.’ A lot of people without power – we stepped up big for them, you know? We wanted to boost them. We had to come out and get this win for the community, fo' sho.”
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Before the game, the Buccaneers also brought out first responders from the Tampa Police Department, the Tampa Fire Rescue, the Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office, the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department to lead the team out of the locker room and as honorary guests for the coin toss.
Earlier this week, the Glazer family announced it was donating $1 million to the American Red Cross to aid in support and relief efforts.
After going 9-7 last season but just missing out on the playoffs, Tampa Bay is trying to push for its first playoff berth since 2007. Behind Winston, Evans and newly signed receiver DeSean Jackson, the Bucs' offense was expected to set the tone for the team this season.
If the defense can keep up the level of play it displayed Sunday, though, the Bucs could become a burgeoning force in the NFC.
“I think it was very special,” linebacker Lavonte David said. “With everything that went on and all the unfortunate things that happened that caused us to have to leave and then come back and refocus, start all over again and get ready for a new opponent. It was a blessing to finally get back on the field and play for the city of Tampa, play for the state of Florida. It was real humbling and real refreshing.”
Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.
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