2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Season 44 Brief
Our 2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season is the franchise's 44th season in the National Football League, the 22nd playing home games at Raymond James Stadium. Following the termination of Dirk Koetter, the Buccaneers named Bruce Arians as the twelfth head coach in franchise history on January 8, 2019. Arians had been out of coaching for a year, having retired in 2017 after five seasons as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Because Arians was still under contract with the Cardinals through the end of the 2019 season, Tampa Bay agreed to give the Cardinals a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft for the rights to Arians, as well as receiving Arizona's seventh-round pick in the same draft. On the same day it was reported the Buccaneers would also bring Byron Leftwich onto the staff from the Cardinals as offensive coordinator. The next day the Buccaneers announced the hiring of former New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles as defensive coordinator.
This season takes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the pond to London for an international game and spotlight on fellow European Fans at BUCPOWER.COM "Paul Stewart" and BucsUK.org "Phil Jones".
2019 Draft Notes
- The Buccaneers traded their seventh-round selection in 2019 and free safety J. J. Wilcox to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Pittsburgh's sixth-round selection (202nd overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft.
- The Buccaneers traded their sixth-round selection to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for Arizona's seventh-round selection and the rights to head coach Bruce Arians.
- The Buccaneers traded their seventh-round selection in 2020 and wide receiver DeSean Jackson to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Philadelphia's sixth-round selection.
2019 SEASON Gameday Notes
Week 1: Home vs. San Francisco 49ers
Bruce Arians welcomed the cross-country visitors from San Fransico for his regular season debut as head coach.
Winning the coin toss the Buccaneers elected to receive the opening kickoff, giving Winston the opportunity to strike first. Unfortunately, he wasn’t ready, as Buccaneers were held to three-and-out for first possession. Next would be the turning point in the game, as a routine punt play was blocked and recovered by the 49ers with excellent field position. A short 22 yards and six plays later the 49ers struck a field goal for first blood and 0-3. On the Buccaneers next possession, they had a bit more success with movement and a Peyton Barber run of 14 yards placed the Bucs in center field. But that was as far as they would get, as they were forced to punt.Both teams fluttered with a couple more drives again ending in punts. On the Buccaneers next possession, the caught wind in the sails finally with a long drive highlighted with a mix of passes and runs to midfield until 49ers linebacker Kwon Alexander hit Winston helmet-to-helmet as Winston was sliding to the ground. This resulted in a large penalty for the 49ers, and resulting in Alexander being ejected from the game. The Buccaneers continued the drive into the red zone, they would throw two touchdown passes to TE Cameron Brate, but both were called back due to holding penalties. This is where the nightmare began as O.J. Howard fumbled the ball after a 16-play drive leaving the Buccaneers with zero points. What seemed at the moment as a turn-around play, cornerback Vernon Hargreaves would intercept a Jimmy Garoppolo pass and run it back for a Buccaneers touchdown, now 7-3 in favor of Tampa Bay. The 49ers responded with an 11-play, 57-yard drive that ended in a field goal to bring the score to 7-6. On the Buccaneers next offensive play, Winston’s pass over the middle, through Howard’s hands, was intercepted. With a short field to go, the Buccaneers defense kept the score 7-6 at the end of the second quarter. The 49ers offense came out guns blazing in the second half. Garoppolo drove the ball 75 yards in just seven plays to give the 49ers a 7-13 lead. Adding to Buccaneersfan misery, Winston’s first pass of the second half was intercepted and taken back for a touchdown 7-20. The Buccaneers next 11-play 75-yard drive ended in a touchdown throw and catch from Winston to Godwin. The canon’s fired for the 14-20 score. Several exchanges pass until Buccaneers kicker Gay chipped in a FG to bring the score to 17-20. A 49ers FG extended the lead to 17-23. With just over two minutes to go Winston threw an ill-advised pick-6 to give the 49ers the 17-31 lead. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw three interceptions, with two returned for touchdowns, losing to the 49ers on opening day. Winston threw for 194 yards to become Tampa Bay's career passing leader. Despite moving past Vinny Testaverde to become Tampa Bay's career passing leader, Winston has yet to lead the team to the playoffs or prove he's the club's long-term answer at quarterback.
Week 2: Away vs. Carolina Panthers
The Buccaneers led 20–14 late in the fourth quarter. In the final two minutes, Cam Newton drove the Panthers to the Tampa Bay 2-yard line. Facing a 4th-and-1 at the 2-yard line, Christian McCaffrey took a direct snap and made a fake reverse handoff, but was pushed out of bounds just short of the line to gain. Tampa Bay held on to win, their first under Bruce Arians.
Week 3: Home vs. New York Giants
Tampa Bay blew an 18-point lead in the second half. The New York Giants rallied behind rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, and took a 32–31 lead with 1:16 remaining in regulation. Jameis Winston connected with Mike Evans for a 44-yard reception all the way down to the Giants 9-yard line in the final seconds. Rookie kicker Matt Gay's field goal attempt sailed wide right as time expired and the Giants held on to win.
Week 4: Away vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Bucs set a franchise record for points scored with 55 in a win against the defending NFC champions. Chris Godwin had the best game of his career, catching 12 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns, while Mike Evans hauled in a 67 yard pass for a touchdown. The Buccaneers defense picked off Jared Goff three times and forced one fumble that was returned for a touchdown by former Rams defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to close out the game. Shaquil Barrett continued his run for Defensive Player of the Year by getting an interception, a sack and forcing the fumble that ended the game.
Week 5: Away vs. New Orleans Saints
Teddy Bridgewater threw for 314 yards and four touchdown passes, as New Orleans defeated Tampa Bay 31–24. The Saints racked up 457 yards of offense against a lackluster Buccaneers defense.
Week 6: Home - Far-Far-Away London, England vs. Carolina Panthers
Jameis Winston threw five interceptions, had two fumbles (one lost) and was sacked seven times. The Buccaneers committed seven turnovers in a 37–26 loss to Carolina in London.
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: Away vs. Tennessee Titans
Jameis Winston had 4 turnovers (two interceptions and two lost fumbles) as the Buccaneers lost 27–23 to the Titans.
Week 9: Away vs. Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson threw for 378 yards and five touchdown passes while the then league's best rushing defense allowed their first 100 yard rusher of the season as Chris Carson ran for 105 yards and the Seahawks produced 523 total yards against a porous Buccaneers defense in route to a 40–34 win in overtime.
Week 10: Home vs. Arizona Cardinals
This was the first time head coach Bruce Arians faced his former team, the Cardinals, whom he coached from 2013 to 2017. Rookie Jamel Dean made a crucial interception with less than 4 minutes remaining in the game, allowing the offense the opportunity to drive down the field and for running back Peyton Barber to score the game clinching touchdown as the Buccaneers won 30–27.
Week 11: Home vs. New Orleans Saints
Jameis Winston threw 4 interceptions with one returned for a touchdown while Drew Brees threw for 3 touchdowns in a dominant 34–17 rout.
Week 12: Away vs. Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked 6 times, fumbled twice with one returned for a touchdown by Ndamukong Suh, and threw an interception while Jameis Winston threw 3 touchdowns and Chris Godwin caught 7 passes for a career high 184 yards and 2 touchdowns in route to a dominant 35–22 win. Defensive tackle Vita Vea became the heaviest man in NFL history to catch a touchdown pass at 347 pounds.
Week 13: Away vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Running back Peyton Barber had 2 rushing touchdowns as the Buccaneers' defense continued their strong level of play for the second consecutive week, sacking quarterbacks Nick Foles and Gardner Minshew a combined 5 times, intercepting 2 passes, forcing 3 fumbles, and recovering 2 of them with 1 returned for a touchdown by Devin White.
Week 14: Home vs. Indianapolas Colts
The Buccaneers overcame 4 turnovers and a 14 point deficit to defeat the Colts 38-35 in route to their first 3-game winning streak since 2016. Jameis Winston set a career best and Buccaneers single game record for the most passing yards in a home game with 461 total yards (456 passing, 5 rushing), 5 total touchdowns (4 passing, 1 rushing), and 3 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown). Winston also broke the franchise record for passing yards in a single season that he set in 2016. Despite the win, which improved the team to 6–7, Tampa Bay was eliminated from postseason contention when the Minnesota Vikings also won that day.
Week 15: Away vs. Detroit Lions
Jameis Winston became the first player in NFL history to have consecutive games of 450 yards passing as he threw for a career best 458 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception in route to breaking the franchise record for touchdown passes in a season that he set in 2016 with his 30th and the Buccaneers won their 4th straight game. Breshad Perriman set career bests in receiving yards and touchdowns as he caught 5 passes for 113 yards and 3 touchdowns. Shaquil Barrett tied the franchise record for sacks set by Warren Sapp in 2000 with 16.5.
Week 16: Home vs. Houston Texanss
Jameis Winston threw four interceptions, including a pick 6 on the second play of the game. The Buccaneers commited five turnovers, but managed to tie the game at 20–20 late in the third quarter. Houston kicked a field goal with 7:11 remaining, and held on to win 23–20.
Week 17: Home vs. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta's Younghoe Koo kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired in regulation, sending the game to overtime. On the first play of the overtime period, Jameis Winston threw a pick-6 interception. Deion Jones returned the ball 27 yards for the touchdown to win the game for Atlanta, in the shortest overtime game in NFL history (7 seconds). It was Winston's final game with Tampa Bay, and his first pass attempt (2015) and last pass attempt were both pick 6s.
| PRESEASON | ||||
| Date | Opponent | Week/Record | Outcome | |
| Friday Aug. 9 |
|
@ Pittsburgh Steelers
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA |
PS - wk 1 0 - 1 |
Loss 28-30 |
| Friday Aug. 16 |
|
Miami Dolphins Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
PS - wk 2 1 - 1 |
Won 16-14 |
| Friday Aug. 23 |
|
Cleveland Browns Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
PS - wk 3 2 - 1 |
Won 13-12 |
| Thursday Aug. 29 |
|
@ Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX |
PS - wk 4 3 - 1 |
Won 17-15 |
2019 Season Results
|
||||
| Date | Opponent | Week/Record | Outcome | |
| Sunday Sep. 8 |
|
San Francisco 49ers Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - WK 1 0 - 1 |
Loss 17-31 |
| Thursday Sep. 12 |
|
@ Philadelphia Eagles Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
RS - WK 2 1 - 1 |
Won 20-14 |
| Sunday Sep. 22 |
|
New York Giants Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - WK 3
1 - 2 |
Loss 31-32 |
| Sunday Sep. 29 |
|
@ Los Angeles Rams Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA |
RS - WK 4 2 - 2 |
Won 55-40 |
| Sunday Oct. 6 |
|
@ New Orleans Saints Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA |
RS - WK 5 2 - 3 |
Loss 24-31 |
| Sunday Oct. 13 |
|
Carolina Panthers HOME/AWAY - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, LONDON, ENGLAND |
RS - WK 6 2 - 4 |
Loss 26-37 |
| BYE | BYE | BYE | RS - W 7 2 - 4 |
00-00 |
| Sunday Oct. 27 |
|
@ Tennessee Titans Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN |
RS - WK 8 2 - 5 |
Loss 23-27 |
| Sunday Nov. 3 |
|
@ Seattle Seahawks CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA |
RS - WK 9 2 - 6 |
Loss 34-40 |
| Sunday Nov. 10 |
|
Arizona Cardinals Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - WK 10 3 - 6 |
Won 30-27 |
| Sunday Nov. 17 |
|
New Orleans Saints Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - WK 11 3 - 7 |
Loss 17-34 |
| Sunday Nov. 24 |
|
@ Atlanta Falcons Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
RS - WK 12 4 - 7 |
Won 35-22 |
| Sunday Dec. 1 |
|
@ Jacksonville Jaguars EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL |
RS - WK 13 5 - 7 |
Won 28-11 |
| Sunday Dec. 8 |
|
Indianapolis Colts Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - WK 14 6 - 7 |
Won 38-35 |
| Sunday Dec. 15 |
|
@ Detroit Lions Ford Field, Detroit, MI |
RS - WK 15 7 - 7 |
Won 38-17 |
| TBA Dec. 21or22 |
|
Houston Texans Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - WK 16 7 - 8 |
Loss 20-23 |
| Sunday Dec. 29 |
|
Atlanta Falcons Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - WK 17 7 - 9 |
Loss 22-28 |
| PLAYOFFS | ||||
| Date | Opponent | NFC/Superbowl | Outcome | |
| TBA Bring it On |
|
@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
None
None |
STAT 00-00 |
