At face value, the Bucs 55-40 win over the Rams was already a gigantic victory for a number of reasons. As heavy underdogs they beat an undefeated and reigning NFC champion team on the road, got back to .500 with a 2-2 record, and remain one game behind the Saints for first in the NFC South division.

But the win meant much more than just beating a good team. From winning the game for Jason Licht after the passing of his father, Ron, to holding onto a lead even while momentum was not on their side, the Bucs showed that they are a team that is mentally tough.

After an excruciating loss in Week 3 to the Giants on a last second missed field goal, it would have been easy for the Bucs to come into Los Angeles and get the doors blown off them. But instead they came out of the gates hot with a 21-point lead and eventually held on to win.

“We were hungry,” said wide receiver Mike Evans. “We had a great week of preparation. We got some bad news about our GM Jason Licht and we wanted to go out there and play for him and his family. It’s a much needed win. We wanted to win this really, really bad.”

Doubt could have crept in again after the Bucs as they saw an 18-point fourth quarter lead evaporate to just five following a Jameis Winston pick-six. With a haunting memory of a lost 18-point lead let go just a week prior, the Bucs learned from their mistakes this time around and didn’t let the doubt seep in and collapse. They instead continued to make the plays that needed to be made to win the game.

The Bucs were punched in the mouth a week ago, and this Sunday they got off the ground and punched right back.

Bucs QB Jameis Winston – Photo by: Getty Images

“I think we answered whether or not we’re tough enough to overcome a tough loss,” coach Bruce Arians said. “Because we had a great week of practice, we showed up against a quality opponent on the road. That’s what young teams have to learn, they have to learn how to win. This could have easily gone the other way but it didn’t because we finished in all three phases. We finished the game and won.”

“We just looked one week back and thought what not to do with a big lead,” said tight end Cameron Brate. “It was dicey their in the fourth quarter, but Shaq made a huge play for us. It was huge. Long trip going against the defending NFC champions. I don’t think too many people had the Bucs winning this one but we had belief in the locker room.”

Another example of mental toughness for the Bucs came from wide receiver Chris Godwin, who missed most of the practice week with a hip injury. And not only did Godwin tough it out to play, he was the Bucs top offensive player with a career high 172-receiving yards along with two-touchdowns.

“It was pretty frustrating,” Godwin said on missing the week of practice. “I pride myself on being out there and practicing and getting reps, things like that, supporting each other and getting a feel of the game plan, so it was pretty frustrating. At the same time, I was glad I was able to take care of my teammates and contribute to a win. I try to be a well rounded receiver, I try to be the most complete receiver I can be. I want to be in there and battle with my guys.”

The Bucs’ defense may have not had their best day, but they were able to come up with a big play when it mattered most. Up eight-points with just over a minute left in the game, the defense sealed the game on a Shaq Barrett strip sack that was picked up by Ndamukong Suh and ran back for touchdown.

Bucs DT Ndamukong Suh – Photo courtesy of Jason Licht

“Shaq made a great play,” Suh said about his touchdown run. “Obviously a strip sack. I saw the ball and got an opportunity to scoop and score, simple as that.”

That score put the Bucs ahead by 15-points with little time left. It was that kind of play that the Bucs were missing a week before, and a new week gave a better result.

“We were in this situation last week being up going into the half,” Suh said. “Understanding especially on the defensive side of the ball that we have to take care of business. Although we did give up some points, which is not wanting to do so, but we got to find ways to win and we did so.”