The Browns and their sensational rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield got the ball on offense first, and things started off well for them. A few quick passes and few nice runs got the Browns two first downs, but the Bucs defense held firm after that and forced a punt following the sixth sack of the season from Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.

Normally that would be good news for the Buccaneers, but a good punt and even better punt coverage by the Browns downed the ball at the Buccaneers’ 1-yard line. The Bucs ran two run plays, and the second one went for a safety. That meant the first lead of the game went to the Browns at a score of 2-0.

Following their safety, the Browns couldn’t do much on offense on their next series, gaining only two yards on three downs, as the Bucs defense forced another punt — which would be a re-occurring theme.

After their first possession ended in negative points, quarterback Jameis Winston and the rest of the Buccaneers offense got to work. On an 11-play, 52-yard drive, which included a heavy dose of Adam Humphries and Mike Evans in the receiving game, the Bucs got themselves into field goal range and took their first lead of the game by a score of 3-2 following the 38-yard field goal by kicker Chandler Catanzaro.

On the Browns’ next possession, they once again only gain two yards on three plays and were forced punt in similar fashion to their previous drive. The Bucs defense looked more focused and inspired under their new defensive coordinator Mark Duffner.

On the Bucs next possession, Winston and company took the ball down the field 55 yards in six plays, this time ended the drive with six points. It was the creativity of offensive coordinator Todd Monken that capped the drive off with a touchdown, as the final play of the drive was scored by a rushing touchdown from wide receiver DeSean Jackson on a end-around play. Catanzaro missed the extra point following the touchdown, so the score went to just 9-2.

On the Browns’ next drive, they yet again only managed to gain two yards on three downs and were forced to punt. After receiving the ball, the Buccaneers, from their own 25-yard line, orchestrated a 75-yard drive in 10 plays which gave them back-to-back touchdowns. This made the score 16-2.

To round out the half, the Browns would again have two more punts for no points, and the Bucs would have two turnovers, first and interception and then a fumble. But Cleveland could not capitalize on either turnover, mainly due to an incredible play by Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David, who forced a fumble as Mayfield crossed the first down line, and the score remained 16-2 at halftime.

Things didn’t start off great for the Buccaneers to open up the second half. Winston fumble the ball away on the team’s opening possession, and the Browns capitalized quickly off of it with a touchdown pass, Mayfield to tight end David Njoku. That brought the score a bit close, 16-9 still in favor of the Buccaneers.

Following the Browns’ score, the two teams would trade punts. After the Browns’ punt, the Buccaneers offense once again got into rhythm with a long 13-play, 73-yard drive which ended in a touchdown. The drive contained a few passes to wide receiver Mike Evans and tight end O.J. Howard, both of whom had great connections with the Bucs quarterback this afternoon. After an athletic catch by Howard that got the Bucs to the 1-yard line, it was rookie running back Ronald Jones who punched it in on the first rushing touchdown of his career. The score then became 23-9.

With the game getting out of reach, the Browns knew they had to score, or this game may have been over early. Mayfield took the field and orchestrated a 7-play, 75-yard drive, with big plays from Nick Chubb on the ground and Jarvis Landry through the air, that ended in six points, making this a one-score game at 23-16.

Mayfield and the Browns got things going on their next drive, as they drove the ball all the way down to the Bucs 1-yard line. But a fourth down stand by the Buccaneers defense held the score at what it was in a crucial moment.

The Bucs took over, but it was at their own 1-yard line. After a short pass that got them some breathing room, they were forced to punt, and Jabril Peppers of the Browns took the punt and returned it far into Bucs territory. On the field play, Mayfield tossed a touchdown to make this game tied at 23-23.

With the ball in their hands and the game all tied on the scoreboard, Winston and company took over with just over two minutes left in the game. Winston completed big passes to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, which got the ball into Browns territory with one minute left in the game. After those two catches, two more catches to Cam Brate and O.J. Howard got the Bucs in field goal range.

But a missed 40-yard field goal by Catanzaro meant it was time for some free football and an overtime period.

The Browns got the ball to start the extra quarter, and after a quick first down, the Bucs defense again played lockdown. On third down, a top-notch pass break up by rookie cornerback Carlton Davis gave the Bucs their first chance of the overtime period, as the Browns were forced to punt.

The Bucs took over at their own 11-yard line. Winston completed big passes to Godwin and Jackson, but an interception at midfield brought all that momentum to a screeching halt.

Cleveland took over at midfield, and after a run and a pass, Carl Nassib came up with his second sack of the game to force a punt with just over four minutes left to play.

When the Bucs got it back, it was once again with their backs against the wall at their own 15-yard line. After three straight plays, the Buccaneers were forced to punt. However, a fumble on the punt return gave the ball right back to the Buccaneers near the 50-yard line. After a completed catch, Winston was sacked on back-to-back plays to bring the game to the two minute warning.

The Bucs got the ball into field goal range again, and Catanzaro nailed the 59-yard field goal for the win.