Bucs defense stymies Seahawks

A tough game for the Seattle Seahawks as they left Tampa Bay with only five points yesterday.

“We are thankful for his love and support”, Verner said in a statement issued by the team Saturday. But just as important, your quarterback knows the protection will improve, and so he plays calmer in the pocket. If everyone plays a little off, then that’s me. “I wanted to honor him, knowing all he did to get me to where I am today”.

Then came the interception before the half, on a pass intended for Paul Richardson, when the Seahawks were within striking distance at the Tampa Bay 29, and Verner slipped in front of Richardson.

Nov 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the second half of an NFL football game at Raymond James Stadium.

The heart of the Bucs defense stepping up in a 14-5 win against the Seattle Seahawks was cornerback Alterraun Verner, who played just two days after his father, Robert, died Friday morning of a heart attack while visiting his son for Thanksgiving weekend.

“We’re playing good team football right now and playing really good team defense”, said coach Dirk Koetter. “He would have been smiling and would have been very, very proud”, Verner said.

“I don’t think this is a trend or a turn in the wrong direction or any of that kind of stuff”, Carroll said. Doug Martin had 87 yards on 23 carries.

“At this point, Seattle needs to worry about the two NFC division leaders that sit a half-game behind it in the conference standings – and worry more about protecting its first-round bye than securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs”, wrote Graziano.

And the Seahawks might have done it, if not for three deadly turnovers in the game, each coming as Seattle was driving toward the end zone. “And he did get out on us a few times, but we still hit him”. Against Seattle, he had bouts of poor decision-making, none worse than his end zone interception to Kam Chancellor late in the fourth quarter. Wilson had time to throw downfield for the first time in eight passes. The officials agreed, and the Seahawks were awarded a safety.

On the play before the interception, Winston had zipped a zone coverage-beating 10-yard touchdown to Cameron Brate.

With less than three minutes in the first quarter the Buccaneers had a 14-0 hold over the Seahawks.

NOTES: Bucs WR Mike Evans went over 1,000 yards for the season, just the second Bucs player ever to do so in the first 11 games of the season, following Joey Galloway.

If there is any surprise to be had, it’s that, well, games like Sunday’s are not a monumental surprise anymore. Brees’ other touchdowns went to Ingram and Brandon Coleman from 6 yards for New Orleans (5-6). Wilson was sacked a season-high six times. If Thomas doesn’t play, it will be the first game he’s missed in his career, snapping a streak of 106 consecutive starts.

Buffalo kept their postseason dreams alive thanks to a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor to Justin Hunter to lift the Bills to a 28-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9). The Cardinals (4-6-1) have lost two straight and three of their past four, putting them in danger of missing the postseason a season after reaching the NFC championship game.

Running back Troymaine Pope (high-ankle sprain), defensive end Damontre Moore (foot contusion) and linebacker Brock Coyle (foot sprain) also have a chance to return this week against the Carolina Panthers.

Tampa Bay is at San Diego Sunday.