The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a score 13 to 14. It was a strange but correct call that cost the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bengals and Buccaneers were actually both looking to gain divisional ground. The Bengals are in first place and were looking to keep adding to their lead. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are surprisingly only two games out and looking to gain a game on the New Orleans Saints. The flu was going around in Tampa and therefore the Buccaneers were missing an important player on offense, the center Evan Dietrich-Smith. It was game featuring two great young receivers AJ Green and rookie Mike Evans.
Doug Martin was the starting running back for the day. The Buccaneers were missing two tight ends and their fullback. They used another offensive guard on some of the snaps in place of the tight end. Also, another tight end Cameron Brate was used as the fullback for this game.
Patrick Murray would give all the points in the first quarter. He gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a three point lead in the first. That's all both teams would get until the second. Doug Martin provided a running back spark for the Buccaneers. His rushing touchdown gave the Buccaneers a 10-0 lead. Doug Martin had 58 yards on 18 attempts. This game was quite a confidence booster for Martin as he really needed that. Andy Dalton put the Bengals on the board making it 10-7 at the half on a touchdown run.
AJ Green helped carry the Bengals over the Buccaneers on his touchdown pass from Andy Dalton. That put the Cincinnati Bengals up 14-10 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. To the fourth quarter the game goes with that same score. This is a key play here. Josh McCown and the offense was at the Bengals 40 yard line with about four minutes to go. Lovie Smith decided to kick a field goal instead of going for it. That put the Bengals up 14-13 lead. That field goal ended up being a critical play in this game.
The Buccaneers had no choice and needed to get into Patrick Murray's field goal range in offer for a chance at a try to win the game. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started to threaten the Cincinnati Bengals with 12 seconds to go. Louis Murphy caught a pass to put the Buccaneers at the Bengals 20 yard line. Marvin Lewis threw the challenge flag which isn't allowed and the Bengals were charged a timeout. It was thought that they were challenging the catch it was incorrect. What the referees were challenging of reviewing was the number of men on the field. The Buccaneers indeed did have 12 thus resulting in a penalty and on a fourth and 20 the Buccaneers came up short. The game had ended.
The 2-10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face off on Sunday versus Calvin Johnson and the Detroit Lions. The NFC North leading Cincinnati Bengals face off against the Cleveland Browns at home.