The Bucs saved their biggest win of the 2022 season for the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Germany. They got out to a 14-0 lead on the Seahawks and eventually went up 21-3 in the fourth quarter before having to hold on late for a 21-16 win. With the victory, they hit their bye week at 5-5 and in sole possession of first place in the NFC South.

Both offenses started slow, trading punts on their first possessions before Tampa Bay got the first scoring opportunity on its second drive. A big 29-yard pass from Tom Brady to Mike Evans set the Bucs up well, but they ultimately had to settle for a 52-yard field goal attempt by Ryan Succop. The kick went wide, keeping the game scoreless.

Bucs QB Tom Brady and RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs found some semblance of a running game as the first quarter wound down. Starting from their own 12-yard line, they got runs of three, 10, four, five and eight yards from rookie Rachaad White — who got the start in the backfield — before gains of six and seven by Leonard Fournette got them across midfield as the opening 15 minutes came to an end with the game still scoreless.

Tampa Bay then struck first early in the second quarter. Facing a 3rd & 10, Brady found Julio Jones across the middle of the field and the veteran receiver did the rest, racing 31 yards for a touchdown. With Succop’s PAT, the Bucs took a 7-0 lead.

Todd Bowles’ defense kept the pressure on Geno Smith and the Seattle offense on the ensuing possession, forcing a quick three-and-out. That allowed the offense to get back on the field and continue building momentum. Starting from their own 14-yard line, Brady and the offense moved methodically down the field. Two third-down conversions — running their total up to five straight — got the Bucs into Seahawks territory, then passes of 19 and 22 yards to Chris Godwin and Scotty Miller set up 1st & Goal. Two plays later, Fournette found the end zone. The Bucs finished the half strong, carrying that two-score lead into the locker room.

Through 30 minutes, the Bucs had a significant advantage in first downs (13-3), total yards (208-57), total plays (40-20) and time of possession (18:48-11:12).

Seahawks QB Geno Smith and Bucs OLB Anthony Nelson – Photo by: USA Today

The Seahawks started the second half with four straight double-digit gains, but Tampa Bay finally showed some resistance. The defense stopped Smith for a one-yard gain on first down before two straight incompletions forced a Seattle field goal attempt. An unsportstmanlike conduct call on Metcalf turned the 40-yard field goal into a 55-yard try, but Jason Myers nailed the kick anyway to get the Seahawks within 14-3 at the 12:05 mark in the third quarter.

The Bucs moved the ball well again on their next drive, converting two more third downs before an 18-yard pass from Brady to Godwin. They looked primed to go up 21-3, but then offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich got a little too creative with perhaps his worst-ever call. Fournette took a direct snap and threw Brady’s way, but Brady slipped, allowing for an easy interception by Tariq Woolen.

The Seahawks looked to take advantage of the turnover — and two personal foul penalties (one on Brady, one on Akiem Hicks) — and put together a drive. Seattle went down the field easily, converting a key 3rd & 2 at the 14 with a run by Kenneth Walker. But two plays later, the Bucs flipped momentum. Devin White came flying in to force a Smith fumble, which Anthony Nelson recovered. Tampa Bay’s first turnover since Week 4 came at a huge time, preventing what could’ve been a 14-point swing.

Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: USA Today

This time, it was Brady and the Bucs going down the field looking to take advantage of a turnover. An early third-down conversion on the drive and then a 29-yard angry run by Rachaad White brought us to the end of the third quarter with Tampa Bay up by 11. Starting the fourth quarter, Brady hit Cade Otton for a 25-yard gain. Another third-down conversion later, the Bucs went up 21-3 thanks to a four-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Godwin.

The game was far from over, of course, as the Seahawks moved quickly to answer the Bucs’ score. Seattle finally found the end zone with 8:20 to go as Smith found Lockett for a 21-yard touchdown, capping off a five-play, 77-yard drive in just 2:28. But the two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete, keeping it at 21-9.

Tampa Bay killed some clock from there, but Brady threw Seattle a lifeline with a bad interception over the middle of the field with six and a half minutes to go. The Seahawks took full advantage, converting two fourth downs on their next possession. The second conversion was a 19-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Marquise Goodwin, drawing them within 21-16 with 3:58 to go.

Needing to put the game away with a strong drive, the Bucs did exactly that. A big completion from Brady to Godwin and some strong running from White allowed Tampa Bay to kill the clock and hold on for a 21-16 win.

Rachaad White and Devin White were the stories of the day. The rookie running back had his first career 100-yard rushing game, going for 105 yards on 22 carries. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, it was Devin White leading the way. He totaled nine tackles (eight solo), two sacks and a key forced fumble. It was an emotional day for the captain, who lost his father this week.

Brady threw for 258 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 22-of-29 passing. Godwin found the end zone for the first time this season, posting six catches for 71 yards to go with the score. Jones caught Brady’s other touchdown pass and finished with three catches for 53 yards to go with his second score as a Buc. Fournette, who left with a hip injury in the second half, ran for 57 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

The Bucs (5-5) now have their bye week before heading to Cleveland for a matchup with the Browns on Nov. 27.