Though most of the big-name Buccaneers weren’t suited up for the team’s final preseason game, the fourth game is the final audition for some of the depth chart players to make their case for the 53-man roster and even the practice squad.
The game started off with three straight punts. Two by the Buccaneers and one by the Jaguars. Following the Bucs’ second punt of the game, the Jags were able to drive down the field and break the scoreless tie with a 51-yard field goal by kicker Josh Lambo.
After that the Bucs offense got into a bit of a rhythm, with both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston inactive, quarterback Ryan Griffin led the team on a 14-play, 83-yard drive that took over six minutes of game time that ended in a Buccaneers touchdown. The drive started with a nice 11-yard toss to Bernard Reedy. Then, two big plays from wide receiver Bobo Wilson, first a 13-yard catch and then a 21-yard end around carry, got Tampa Bay into the end zone. After a few more small gains, Griffin was able to hit rookie wide receiver Justin Watson for his second touchdown of the preseason, which got Tampa Bay their first lead of the game at 7-3.
After another punt by the Jaguars, it was another long drive from the Buccaneers that ended in points. On an 11-play, 66-yard drive, Griffin hit Reedy, and running back Shaun Wilson for the biggest gains of the drive to get the team in field goal range. After a successful 31-yard field goal from Canatzaro, the team extended their lead to 10-3.
That’s how the game went into the half, but in the second half it wasn’t as pleasant for the Buccaneers.
The Jaguars opened up the next half with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown, and on the Bucs’ ensuing possession, a sack fumble that was recovered by the Jaguars for a touchdown made the score go from 10-3 Bucs to 15-10 Jaguars real quick. After a drive that ended on a turnover on downs by the Buccaneers, the Jaguars once again drove down the field and scored to make the score 22-10.
After another quick drive by the Bucs that was a turnover on downs, The Jaguars continued to control the clock and got into field goal range to increase their lead to 25-10. On the Bucs’ next drive two big plays to wide receiver Bobo Wilson got the Bucs into attack mode for the first time in the second half, but an interceptions from quarterback Austin Allen gave momentum right back to the Jaguars.
And that’s how the preseason would end with a final score of 25-10.
Quarterback Ryan Griffin ended the game 17-for-27 with 151 yards and a touchdown. Austin Allen finished with 4-for-10 with 64 yards and an interception. At running back, Ronald Jones recorded just four yards on 10 carries. Shaun Wilson finished the game with 45 yards in eight carries, and Dare Ogunbowale had 29 yards on five carries. Bernard Reddy and Bobo Wison had big nights receiving with five catches and both over 50 yards each. Chandler Catanzaro hit his only field goal attempted.