Another week where the Buccaneers began the game with the football but did not open with points, one first down and one punt. The Buccaneers’ defense has had its ups this season, but there have been downs aplenty. Arizona’s opening drive featured both those ups and downs. Arizona ran at will and moved the ball deep in Tampa territory, however, the drive netted zero points when Jamel Dean undercut a crossing route, tipping the ball in the air for Antoine Winfield Jr. to snag— Interception, Tampa Bay. A scoreless opening quarter in Tampa Bay, 0-0 with 0:00 on the clock.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 30: Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a interception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) Getty Images
With eight minutes and two minutes left in the game’s second quarter, the scoreboard operator at Raymond James Stadium finally had to clock in. The Bucs’ offense strung together some efficient runs in combination with a deep ball to Chris Godwin and slid all the way into the red zone— Their kryptonite. A dropped pass in the end zone forced Tampa to settle for a short field goal. 3-0, Tampa Bay.
Moments before the two-minute warning, the Buccaneers scored their first touchdown of the game until— Referees chimed in. Offensive pass interference on Tez Johnson erased Tampa’s score, but there wouldn’t be any need to fret because the Buccaneers would score again. After working back down to the goal line, a toss play to Bucky Irving would give the back a clear lane and allow him to cruise into the end zone until— Referees chimed in. A holding penalty on Bucky’s lead blocker, Payne Durham, pulled the seven points back off the board. While removing those touchdowns may have annoyed Bucs’ fans in the moment, they set the stage for one of the season’s greatest plays. Under center on third down and goal, the Buccaneers ran a play action pass and flipped the ball out to Tristan Wirfs on the backside of the play for a wide open walk-in score. Wirfs’ first career catch doubled as his first career score. 10-0, Bucs.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 30: Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) Getty Images
Up 10-0, Todd Bowles got greedy. His defense had Jacoby Brissett backed up and facing a third down and nine. Bowles, under the impression the Buccaneers’ defense would get off the field and give his offense another opportunity at points call ed a timeout. Post Tampa’s time out, Brissett proceeded to complete the third down pass attempt and catch a small bit of fire and lead the Cardinals into field goal range. 10-3, Buccaneers.
With turnovers being a big part of the reason Tampa’s lead was Tampa’s lead the defense would go back to the well one more time as the game’s second half got under way. A solid Cardinal drive stumbled as Bam Knight fumbled. Tykee Smith’s recovery gave the Bucs the ball and favorable field position. They favored punting as more penalties and opposing pass-rush sent Tampa’s offense back off the field.
The two Cardinal drives that bookended Sunday’s intermission were very Yin and Yang. After making a last-second field goal to close out the first half, Chad Ryland would kick off half number two with the polar opposite— Wide right, a missed kick, no points, and another chance for Tampa Bay’s offense with good field position.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense found a bit of a strut. A third and long conversion Mayfield finding Emeka Egbuka over the middle of the field for a first down, then beating the blitz with a quick strike to Chris Godwin. The long catch and run from Godwin served up Bucky Irving, re-earning the touchdown he earned earlier, if not for a flying yellow hanky. 17-3, Buccaneers.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 30: Baker Mayfield #6 and Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) Getty Images
Following a long touchdown-less drought, the third quarter of Sunday’s game saw them in bunches. After Bucky Irving’s score, Arizona came right back with a touchdown drive of their own— Their first of the game. 17-10 Buccaneers, after a Jacoby Brissett scramble and toss across the goal line.
Trailing by just seven points, the Cardinals’ offense had the ball and a small rumbling of momentum. Field position wasn’t great, inside their own 20, however, momentum is a fickle lover. A big third down conversion for Arizona created a new set of downs. That new set of downs would meet a fourth down attempt. That fourth down attempt would meet Anthony Nelson— Turnover on downs. The Buccaneers would take over and add a field goal. 20-10, Bucs. 20-10 rapidly became 20-17 as Jacoby Brissett to Trey McBride continued to give Bucs’ fans headaches.
Over the past few weeks, Todd Bowles has taken a lot of heat. The Bucs have been bad (0-3), but the team’s defense has been atrocious. That was a trend that many fans had hoped would come to end today. While Arizona’s offense is certainly not bad they are bad overall team. That combined with the return of Hasson Reddick had generated some hope that this week would be different. Although the game featured its highlights and lowlights, after Trey McBride’s score Josh Grizzard’s group was unable to control the ball till zeros were on the clock. Bowles’ defense took the field with a chance to be closers. A three point lead to protect and a crucial victory hanging in the balance— Close is what they did. A finally stop allowing Tampa to maintain their slight lead in the NFC South.
For more Bucs coverage check us out here: