After a slow start, the Bucs pulled away late to defeat the Dolphins 45-17. The story remains the same for the Bucs as penalties were a factor yet again. Tackling was also an issue with several egregious missed tackles by the Bucs defense. In the end the offense was just too much for a struggling Miami defense. The Bucs used a heavy dose of play action throughout the game, and picked the Dolphins apart in the second half.

A week after Tom Brady had zero touchdowns against the Patriots, he finished the game with five against the Dolphins. Brady went 30-41 for 411 yards. Antonio Brown logged his 900th career reception becoming the fastest player to do so in NFL history. Brown’s 82nd touchdown of his career moved him into a tie for 24th most touchdowns in NFL history. He finished the game with seven receptions 124 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Evans had over 100 yards as well, totaling six receptions for 114 yards and two scores.

The Bucs were also able to get the running game going again this week. The team finished with 121 yards total on the ground, led by Leonard Fournette’s 67 yards and a touchdown. The defense came away with a two key turnovers and three sacks, led by Shaq Barrett’s 1.5.

Piling on the injuries, Lavonte David left late in the second quarter with an ankle injury and would not return to the game. Early reports indicate x-rays were negative for fractures.

Sloppy First Half Keeps Dolphins In It

On the Dolphins opening possession of the game, penalties and bad tackling remained an issue for the Bucs. A catch and run for 34 yards by Preston Williams help set up a Miami field goal for the early lead. The Bucs answered, marching down the field on an eight play, 86-yard drive. Brady hit Giovani Bernard for a 10-yard touchdown catch as the blitz closed in.

The Dolphins would take advantage of poor tackling and a pass interference call to set up a Miami score. The Bucs blew a coverage, and Myles Gaskin walked in for a 24-yard touchdown catch to retake the lead. After a drive deep into Miami territory, a 10-yard sack on Brady knocked the Bucs out of the red zone. Ryan Succop came in and knocked in a 42-yarder to tie the game.

After a Dolphins punt, Brady found Antonio Brown crossing over the middle for a 62-yard touchdown as pressure closed in. The Bucs defense forced another Miami punt, and then Brady did Brady things. He lead the offense on a 77-yard drive, finding Brown again for a 4-yard touchdown catch before the half. The Dolphins moved down the field quickly, but Shaq Barrett ended the drive with a strip-sack recovered by Ndamukong Suh.

Bucs Take Over In The Fourth Quarter

Tampa Bay received the ball after the half, but was forced to punt. On the ensuing Miami drive, missed tackles and a pass interference call set the Dolphins up at the one-yard line. Jacoby Brissett found Myles Gaskin for his second touchdown catch of the day. Not to be outdone, Brady led the Bucs on a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped off with a Fournette rushing touchdown.

After a Miami punt, the offense only needed four plays to find the end zone once again. Brady launched the ball 34 yards into the hands of Mike Evans for the quick score. Jamel Dean’s interception of Brissett on the next series set up the Bucs with great field position. Evans was again the beneficiary of a 23-yard score to put the game out of reach. The Dolphins punted on their next possession and Blaine Gabbert entered for Brady. Gabbert marched the Bucs into the red zone, but the Bucs knelt out the final two minutes in a 45-17 win.