Offseason & preseason edit
Immediately after being named the new head coach, Lovie Smith began overhauling personnel. The primary goal was to reinstall the Tampa 2 defensive scheme that brought the club success during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Among the key cuts were Davin Joseph,[1] and Darrelle Revis.[2] Among the many new signings were quarterback Josh McCown, defensive end Michael Johnson and cornerback Alterraun Verner.
On August 26, the Buccaneers traded with New England for guard Logan Mankins.[3] The Buccaneers finished the preseason only 1-3, but were still picked by some media members to be much-improved, and to even be a wild card contender.[4][5]
September edit
The Buccaneers started the Lovie Smith Era off on a low note, losing on opening day to Carolina, then losing in the last minute to the Rams in week 2. In week three, the team was humiliated on a nationally-televised Thursday night game, 56-14 to division rival Atlanta. Smith stated afterwards he was "embarrassed"[6] by the performance, and said the loss was so terrible to the team, that it would "leave a scar."[6]
One week later, Mike Glennon started at quarterback, and Buccaneers bounced back in a big way. Tampa Bay defeated Pittsburgh, their first win of the season, with a last-second go-ahead touchdown pass.
October edit
Tampa Bay went winless in October, with Mike Glennon at quarterback. Two overtime losses, and one blowout loss to Baltimore dropped the Buccaneers to 1-6.
November edit
Mike Glennon was benched after losing to Cleveland, and Josh McCown was back in at quarterback. Tampa Bay managed to win against the Redskins, with help from a breakout game from Mike Evans. Despite only two wins, the Buccaneers were still mathematically alive for the division title through the end of November due to the lackluster records of the NFC South teams.
December edit
Tampa Bay ended the season on a six-game losing streak, going winless in December, to finish the season 2-14. In the final game of the season against New Orleans, the Buccaneers blew a lead in the fourth quarter, sitting some of their starters in the second half. But by virtue of the loss, the Buccaneers mathematically clinched the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, beating out the Tennessee Titans (who also went 2-14).
Preseason edit
Regular season edit
Game summaries edit
Week 1: vs. Carolina Panthers edit
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter - CAR – Kelvin Benjamin 26-yard pass from Derek Anderson, Graham Gano kick, 15:00 (CAR 17–0)
- TB – Chris Owusu 19-yard pass from Josh McCown, Patrick Murray kick, 07:30 (CAR 17–7)
- TB – Bobby Rainey 6-yard pass from Josh McCown, Patrick Murray kick, 02:11 (CAR 17–14)
- CAR – Graham Gano 33-yard field goal, 00:28 (CAR 20–14)
| Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
The first game for new head coach Lovie Smith was against division rival Carolina. A lackluster first three quarters saw the Panthers run out to a 17–0 lead, with Derek Anderson making his first start since 2010 in place of an injured Cam Newton.[7] In the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers rallied, scoring late two touchdowns, and trimming the lead to 17–14 with 2:06 remaining. The Bucs defense forced a 3 & Out, and Carolina punted, giving the ball back to the Bucs offense with just under two minutes to go. On the first play of the drive, however, Bobby Rainey's catch was fumbled away, and Carolina recovered.
Week 2: vs. St. Louis Rams edit
Week Two: St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Rams | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
| Buccaneers | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: September 14
- Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 88 °F (31 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 59,923
- Referee: Jeff Triplette
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter - STL - Greg Zuerlein 36 yard field goal, 0:39 (STL 10-7)
Third quarter - TB - Josh McCown 1 yard run, Patrick Murray kick, 9:18 (TB 14-10)
- STL - Greg Zuerlein 35 yard field goal, 2:41 (TB 14-13)
Fourth quarter - STL - Greg Zuerlein 46 yard field goal, 9:10 (STL 16-14)
- TB - Patrick Murray 36 yard field goal, 5:15 (TB 17-16)
- STL - Greg Zuerlein 38 yard field goal, 0:38 (STL 19-17)
| Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
St. Louis kicker Greg Zuerlein kicked a 38-yard field goal with 42 seconds remaining to take a 19–17 lead. On the ensuing drive, Tampa Bay quarterback Josh McCown completed a 19-yard pass to Bobby Rainey, then spiked the ball to stop the clock with 20 second left in regulation. McCown completed a 29-yard pass to Mike Evans at the St. Louis 32 yard line. As the team scurried to line up and spike the ball, A hesitant Evans was injured on the play. With no timeouts left, Tampa Bay was forced to accept a ten-second runoff penalty, and time expired.
Week 3: at Atlanta Falcons edit
Week Three: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| Falcons | 21 | 14 | 21 | 0 | 56 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter - ATL - Devin Hester 20 yard run, Matt Bryant kick, 14:53 (ATL 28-0)
- ATL - Devin Hester 62 yard punt return, Matt Bryant kick, 7:06 (ATL 35-0)
Third quarter - ATL - Julio Jones 40 yard pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick, 8:23 (ATL 42-0)
- ATL - Steven Jackson 2 yard run, Matt Bryant kick, 8:11 (ATL 49-0)
- ATL - Antone Smith 38 yard run, Matt Bryant kick, 1:47 (ATL 56-0)
Fourth quarter | Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
Atlanta throttled the Buccaneers by the score of 56–14, tied for the second-most lopsided defeat in franchise history. The Falcons jumped out to a 56–0 lead by the third quarter, including Devin Hester's NFL-record 19th return touchdown. In the first half alone, the Falcons forced three turnovers, and held Tampa Bay to 63 yards offense and only two first downs.
Week 4: at Pittsburgh Steelers edit
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter - PIT - Antonio Brown 27 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger, Shaun Suisham kick, 4:58 (PIT 17-10)
Third quarter - TB - Doug Martin 3 yard rush, Patrick Murray kick, 12:27 (Tied 17-17)
- PIT - Heath Miller 5 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger, Shaun Suisham kick, 7:50 (PIT 24-17)
Fourth quarter - TB - Patrick Murray 27 yard field goal, 11:37 (PIT 24-20)
- TB - Vincent Jackson 5 yard pass from Mike Glennon, Patrick Murray kick, 0:07 (TB 27-24)
| Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
Tampa Bay won their first game of the season, as well as the first win for new head coach Lovie Smith. One week after a humiliating loss at Atlanta, the Buccaneers bounced back, and upset the Steelers, the first win in franchise history at Pittsburgh. Trailing 24–20 just inside the two-minute warning, Tampa Bay drove to the Pittsburgh 14 yard line. The Steelers forced a turnover on downs, and took over at their own 14. The Tampa Bay defense held the Steelers to a 3 and out, and forced a punt with 50 seconds left in regulation. Brad Wing's punt was high and short, and was downed inside Pittsburgh territory on the 46. Two plays later Mike Glennon, connected to Louis Murphy, who broke free for a 41-yard gain all the way to the 5 yard line. With 7 seconds left, Glennon completed the game-winning touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson in the left corner of the endzone.
Week 5: at New Orleans Saints edit
Week Five: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|
| Buccaneers | 0 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
| Saints | 6 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 37 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: October 5
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 73,004
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter - NO - Shayne Graham 30 yard field goal, 9:46 (NO 3-0)
- NO - Shayne Graham 29 yard field goal, 0:21 (NO 6-0)
Second quarter Third quarter - TB - Bobby Rainey 9 yard rush, Patrick Murray kick, 11:59 (TB 17-13)
- TB - Danny Lansanah 33 yard interception return, Patrick Murray kick, 11:20 (TB 24-13)
- NO - Travaris Cadet 5 yard pass from Drew Brees, Shayne Graham kick, 4:57 (TB 24-20)
Fourth quarter - TB - Robert Herron 9 yard pass from Mike Glennon, Patrick Murray kick, 13:28 (TB 31-20)
- NO - Pierre Thomas 27 yard rush, pass failed, 9:28 (TB 31-26)
- NO - Safety, Mike Glennon sacked in end zone by Junior Galette, 6:44 (TB 31-28)
- NO - Shayne Graham 44 yard field goal, 2:30 (Tied 31-31)
Overtime | Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
Mike Glennon passed for 249 yards and two touchdown passes, as the Buccaneers led the Saints 31–20 in the fourth quarter. New Orleans rallied to tie the game and force overtime. The Saints won the coin toss in overtime, and proceeded to score a touchdown on the first possession to win the game.
Week 6: vs. Baltimore Ravens edit
Week Six: Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Ravens | 28 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 48 |
| Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 17 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter - BAL - Torrey Smith 15 yard pass from Joe Flacco, Justin Tucker kick, 13:11 (BAL 7-0)
- BAL - Torrey Smith 9 yard pass from Joe Flacco, Justin Tucker kick, 9:22 (BAL 14-0)
- BAL - Kamar Aiken 17 yard pass from Joe Flacco, Justin Tucker kick, 5:00 (BAL 21-0)
- BAL - Michael Campanaro 19 yard pass from Joe Flacco, Justin Tucker kick, 0:01 (BAL 28-0)
Second quarter - BAL - Steve Smith 56 yard pass from Joe Flacco, Justin Tucker kick, 13:57 (BAL 35-0)
- BAL - Justin Tucker 46 yard field goal, 8:41 (BAL 38-0)
Third quarter Fourth quarter - TB - Louis Murphy 3 yard pass from Mike Glennon, Patrick Murray kick, 12:19 (BAL 45-17)
- BAL - Justin Tucker 49 yard field goal, 7:53 (BAL 48-17)
| Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw five touchdown passes in the first 17 minutes of regulation (setting a new NFL record), as Baltimore jumped out to a 38–0 halftime lead (also an NFL record for a road team). The Ravens handed Tampa Bay their second dominating loss of the season.
Week 8: vs. Minnesota Vikings edit
Week Eight: Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
| Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: October 26
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 56,577
- Referee: Craig Wrolstad
- TV announcers (Fox): Justin Kutcher, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter - TB - Patrick Murray 54 yard field goal, 14:12 (MIN 10-3)
- TB - Patrick Murray 45 yard field goal, 7:19 (MIN 10-6)
- TB - Austin Seferian-Jenkins 7 yard pass from Mike Glennon, Patrick Murray kick, 2:02 (TB 13-10)
- MIN - Blair Walsh 39 yard field goal, 0:00 (Tied 13-13)
Overtime - MIN - Anthony Barr 27 yard defensive fumble return (MIN 19-13)
| Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
Offensive futility plagued both teams in the first half, with Minnesota kicking a field goal as time expired in the second quarter to take a 3-0 lead into halftime. Trailing 10–6 in the fourth quarter, Mike Glennon threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Austin Seferian-Jenkins with 2:02 remaining in regulation. The Buccaneers briefly took a 13–10 lead, but the Vikings were able to tie the game at 13–13 and force overtime.
In the overtime period, Tampa Bay won the coin toss and received. On the first play from scrimmage in overtime, Austin Seferian-Jenkins caught a 10-yard pass at the 27 yard line, but fumbled the ball as he was tackled. Anthony Barr scooped up the ball and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown, and Minnesota won 19–13.
Week 9: at Cleveland Browns edit
Week Nine: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Buccaneers | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Browns | 3 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 22 |
at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: November 2
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 67,431
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter - CLE - Billy Cundiff 29 yard field goal (CLE 6-0)
- TB - Mike Evans 24 yard pass from Mike Glennon, Patrick Murray, 8:44 (TB 7-6)
- TB - Patrick Murray 40 yard field goal, 2:25 (TB 10-6)
- CLE - Billy Cundiff 43 yard field goal, 0:00 (TB 10-9)
Third quarter - CLE - Terrance West 2 yard pass from Brian Hoyer, Billy Cundiff kick, 9:10 (CLE 16-10)
- TB - Mike Evans 24 yard pass from Mike Glennon, Patrick Murray kick, 2:49 (TB 17-16)
Fourth quarter - CLE - Taylor Gabriel 34 yard pass from Brian Hoyer, pass failed, 8:59 (CLE 22-17)
| Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
Mike Evans caught two touchdown passes from Mike Glennon, as Tampa Bay led 17–16 in the fourth quarter. Cleveland scored with 8:59 remaining in regulation, and won the game by the score of 22–17. In the final two minutes, Tampa Bay drove to the Cleveland 28 yard line, but an offensive pass interference penalty pushed them back to the 47. Facing 4th down & 11, Glennon's pass was incomplete, and the Browns defeated Tampa Bay for the first time since 1995.
Week 10: vs. Atlanta Falcons edit
Week Ten: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Falcons | 7 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 27 |
| Buccaneers | 3 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: November 9
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 57,751
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter - ATL - Matt Bryant 37 yard field goal, 7:09 (ATL 10-3)
- TB - Mike Evans 22 yard pass from Josh McCown, Patrick Murray kick, 0:46 (Tied 10-10)
- ATL - Matt Bryant 43 yard field goal, 0:00 (ATL 13-10)
Third quarter - ATL - Matt Bryant 44 yard field goal, 10:23 (ATL 16-10)
Fourth quarter | Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan, 20/31, 219 Yds, TD
- TB – Josh McCown, 27/43, 301 Yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers - ATL – Steven Jackson, 16 Att, 81 Yds, TD
- TB – Josh McCown, 5 Att, 39 Yds
Top receivers - ATL – Julio Jones, 8 Rec, 119 Yds
- TB – Mike Evans, 7 Rec, 125 Yds, TD
Top tacklers |
|
Josh McCown returned as the starting quarterback for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers led 17–16, but Atlanta scored a go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter and held on for the win. In the final two minutes, Tampa Bay drove to the Atlanta 4 yard line, but McCown's pass to Vincent Jackson was tipped and intercepted in the endzone, sealing the game for Atlanta.
Week 11: at Washington Redskins edit
Week Eleven: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Buccaneers | 10 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
| Redskins | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at FedExField, Landover, Maryland
- Date: November 16
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 77,442
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter - TB - Mike Evans 56 yard pass from Josh McCown, Patrick Murray, 14:07 (TB 27-7)
| Top passers - TB – Josh McCown, 15/23, 288 Yds, 2 TD
- WAS – Robert Griffin III, 23/32, 207 Yds, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers Top receivers - TB – Mike Evans, 7 Rec, 209 Yds, 2 TD
- WAS – Roy Helu, 6 Rec, 57 Yds, TD
Top tacklers |
|
Mike Evans had a breakout game, catching 7 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns (36 yards and 56 yards, respectively). Tampa Bay won their second game of the season.
Week 12: at Chicago Bears edit
Week Twelve: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Buccaneers | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: November 23
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 61,109
- Referee: Walt Coleman
- TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter - TB - Patrick Murray 39 yard field goal, 4:56 (CHI 21-13)
| Top passers - TB – Josh McCown, 25/38, 341 Yds, TD, 2 INT
- CHI – Jay Cutler, 17/27, 130 Yds, TD
Top rushers - TB – Doug Martin, 11 Att, 27 Yds
- CHI – Matt Forte, 23 Att, 89 Yds, 2 TD
Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
The Buccaneers blew a 10–0 halftime lead with three turnovers in the third quarter. The Bears scored two touchdowns off of turnovers, and a total of 21 points in the third quarter to take the lead and the win. This was head coach Lovie Smith's first return to Chicago since the Bears fired him following the 2012 season.
Week 13: vs. Cincinnati Bengals edit
Week Thirteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Bengals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Buccaneers | 3 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: November 30
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 56,340
- Referee: Bill Leavy
- TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots and Chris Fischer
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter | Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
Trailing 14–13 in the closing seconds, Tampa Bay completed a 21-yard pass to the Bengals 20 yard line, but a replay showed they had 12 men on the field for the play. The penalty took the Buccaneers out of field goal range.
Week 14: at Detroit Lions edit
Week Fourteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Buccaneers | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Lions | 7 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 34 |
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
- Date: December 7
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 61,489
- Referee: Jeff Triplette
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Brady Quinn and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter | Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
With the loss, the Buccaneers were officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Week 15: at Carolina Panthers edit
Week Fifteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Buccaneers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Panthers | 6 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 19 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: December 14
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 72,842
- Referee: Ron Torbert
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter | Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
Like the meeting in week 1, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was on the sidelines, this time due to injuries suffered in a car accident. Carolina swept the Buccaneers, using backup quarterbacks in both games.
Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers edit
Week Sixteen: Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Packers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Buccaneers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: December 21
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 64,247
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter | Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
Green Bay won for the first time at Raymond James Stadium since 2003, and for only the second time ever.
Week 17: vs. New Orleans Saints edit
Week Seventeen: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Saints | 0 | 7 | 0 | 16 | 23 |
| Buccaneers | 3 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: December 28
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 59,952
- Referee: Brad Allen
- TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Kirk Morrison and Peter Schrager
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information |
|---|
| First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter | Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers |
|
Tampa Bay took a 20-7 lead into halftime, but New Orleans rallied for the victory. Drew Brees threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Marques Colston with 1:57 remaining. On the ensuing drive, the Saints defense sacked Josh McCown for a safety, and secured a 23–20 victory. The Saints swept Tampa Bay for the third straight season, and won their seventh overall in the rivalry. The Buccaneers, finishing 2–14, clinched the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Bucs had also finished 0–8 at home. Finishing winless at home for the first time since 1976 and lost their 9th straight home game.
