Buccaneers vs. Seahawks score, takeaways: Tampa Bay uses dominant run attack to win first NFL game in Germany

Running the football to a victory was unexpected for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, yet they rushed for 161 yards and then held on in a crucial 21-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks to take the NFL's first regular-season game in Germany. Crossing the pond seemed to be just the trick to awaken Tampa Bay's run game, as the Buccaneers averaged only 3.7 yards per carry but got explosive runs from Rachaad White to hold off the NFC West-leading Seahawks.

With Seattle making a late push at a comeback win, the Bucs didn't allow it to get the ball back in the final minutes. White had runs of 12 and 18 yards on the final drive to essentially seal the victory for Tampa Bay. He finished with 22 carries for 105 yards in the win, marking the first 100-yard rushing performance for Tampa Bay this season. 

The Seahawks trailed 21-3 in the fourth quarter, but made a late rally with two touchdown passes from Geno Smith to cut the deficit to five points with 3:38 to play. Smith finished 23 of 33 for 275 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, but didn't have the opportunity to complete the comeback as Seattle's defense couldn't get off the field. 

While the Buccaneers' run game was the best it has been all season, Tom Brady was efficient, finishing 22 of 29 for 258 yards with two touchdown passes -- one to Julio Jones and another to Chris Godwin. Brady's 31-yard touchdown pass to Jones was the Buccaneers' longest touchdown of the season, giving Tampa Bay the lead for good in the second quarter. 

Brady did throw his first interception since Week 1, snapping a streak of 399 consecutive passes without a pick. That's the second-longest streak in NFL history, just four behind Aaron Rodgers' 403 consecutive attempts in 2018. Brady was also the intended recipient on a wild interception thrown by Leonard Fournette. Godwin also had his first touchdown grab since tearing his ACL last December. 

Below are the top takeaways from the Bucs' win over the Seahawks in Munich. 

Why the Buccaneers won

In an unexpected turn of events, Tampa Bay's run game was the driving force behind a victory. The Buccaneers ran for a season-high 161 yards in Sunday's win, including an even more surprising 22 carries for 105 yards from rookie Rachaad White. Getting the start in place of Fournette to spice up the run game, White had the Buccaneers' first 20-yard run of their season to end the third quarter along with two crucial runs on Tampa Bay's final drive to preserve the victory. 

Tampa Bay came into this game averaging just 60.7 rush yards per game, and just 47 per game over the past three weeks. With the 161 rushing yards Sunday, that average went up to 70.7 -- a surprising development over what we've seen the past few weeks. 

Why the Seahawks lost

Seattle couldn't adjust to the time zone difference in Munich quick enough, having run just 20 plays for a total of just 57 yards in the first half. The Seahawks punted on all five possessions and were 0 of 5 on third down with just three first downs, falling behind 14-0 at halftime. 

The Seahawks couldn't get the run game going either, as they just had 39 yards and averaged just 2.8 yards per carry. While the 39 yards weren't a season low, that put a lot of pressure on Geno Smith to deliver a win. Smith almost delivered, but Seattle going 1 of 9 on third down along with a crucial red zone fumble in the third quarter hindered the Seahawks' chances of capping the comeback. 

Turning point

The Buccaneers were up 14-0 late in the third quarter when Rachaad White made his presence felt in the run game. Already with a solid showing, White had Tampa Bay's first 20-yard run of the season with a 29-yard mark to end the third quarter. 

White took a first-down run from the Buccaneers' 28 into Seattle territory, capped with a stiff arm on Quandre Diggs that had the crowd in Munich the loudest it was all day. This run set the stage for Tampa Bay's final touchdown drive that ended up being the deciding score. 

Tampa Bay scored a touchdown seven plays later and White had game-sealing runs of 12 and 18 yards in the fourth quarter on the Buccaneers' final possession. Tampa Bay may have its go-to back in White, who might be the starter going forward. 

Play of the game 

It wasn't the most memorable of plays for Tom Brady and Leonard Fournette, but it's the play everyone in the NFL is talking about. Fournette took a snap out of the wildcat with Brady out wide, attempting to throw the ball to Brady with Tampa Bay dominating Seattle in the third quarter. 

Brady slipped on the Allianz Arena turf and Tariq Woolen came away with his fifth interception of the season -- tying for the league lead. Brady tripped the rookie cornerback at the end of the play, adding 15 yards to the blunder. 

This play will be one offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich will likely throw out. Brady admitted he slipped on the play, laughing about his blunder. 

The quote

"The effort was awesome. The guys up front played great. The receivers played great. Everyone made plays. We ran the ball great, but we still left a little out there." -- Tom Brady on calling out the Buccaneers last week and challenging their effort.

Tampa bay needed to take control of the NFC South and get back to .500. As Brady said, the Buccaneers grinded out a win. 

Up next

The Buccaneers (5-5) and Seahawks (6-4) each have their bye week after traveling home from Germany. Both teams will return in Week 12, with the Buccaneers facing the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday, Nov. 27. The Seahawks host the Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 27. 

Updates
(59)
See New Posts
 
Pinned
Link copied

Tom Brady just ended Seattle's chances at a comeback. 17-yard pass to Julio Jones should do it after a Rachaad White 12-yard run. Barring a miracle, the Bucs should go to 5-5 and take full command of a poor NFC South. The Seahawks are expected to fall back into the claws of the NFC West at 6-4. 

Bye week coming for both teams. 

November 13, 2022, 5:18 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 12:18 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

What a throw by Geno Smith to Marquise Goodwin on 4th-and-1! Goodwin snags it in the end zone for the TD -- the 2nd clutch 4th down throw on this drive for Geno. This crowd is all Seahawks in Munich. Seahawks will kick the extra point to make it 21-16. Need a stop and a TD now for the win. 

November 13, 2022, 5:09 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 12:09 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Geno Smith and the Seahawks magic appears to be happening. Smith is driving the Seahawks to another score after the Brady INT. Seattle in the red zone. 

November 13, 2022, 5:06 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 12:06 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Tom Brady just went 399 consecutive passes without an interception.

On his 400th -- picked off.

2nd longest streak in NFL history. Aaron Rodgers still holds the record at 403. 

November 13, 2022, 5:03 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 12:03 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Jordyn Brooks -- arguably the Seahawks best defensive player -- is hobbling after Vaughn gets the first down after Brooks slipped on the turf. Brutal, brutal loss for the Seahawks. Any hopes of a comeback appears to be squashed. 

November 13, 2022, 4:59 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 11:59 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Oh hey a Seahawks TD. Perhaps they are not out of it yet. Still down two touchdowns after failing to get the two-point conversion. It's 21-9 now after Geno Smith found Tyler Lockett on a 21-yard touchdown pass. 

November 13, 2022, 4:54 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 11:54 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Chris Godwin has been catching passes every week, but he finally gets a TD to reward him for his efforts. The Buccaneers are up 21-3 and cruising. 5 catches for 58 yards and a score -- first one of the year. 

November 13, 2022, 4:44 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 11:44 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

That 29-yard run by Rachaad White was the #Buccaneers first 20+ yard carry -- THIS SEASON.

November 13, 2022, 4:38 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 11:38 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

And they don't, Geno Smith fumbles in the red zone. Brady and Fournette bailed out. 

November 13, 2022, 4:30 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 11:30 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

I'm pretty sure Leonard Fournette wears running back pads, so he's not able to get as big of a sling in that football as he liked. The Seahawks really have to make the Bucs pay for this with a TD on this drive. They're in the red zone. 

November 13, 2022, 4:29 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 11:29 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied
dvozr-suqaalhmi.jpg

Doesn't get old. 

November 13, 2022, 4:24 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 11:24 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Tom Brady slipped on a Leonard Fournette pass to him and Tariq Woolen got the INT.

Brady gets a tripping penalty after the Woolen INT.

You can't make this stuff up. 

November 13, 2022, 4:19 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 11:19 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

The Buccaneers are still only averaging 3.2 yards per carry, but they've been more committing toward running the ball today. Healthy dose of Fournette and White has the offense and pass game more effective. Tampa Bay going for the kill shot early in the third quarter. 

November 13, 2022, 4:17 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 11:17 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Seahawks had a good drive, but stalled just outside the red zone. The inside-out routes suddenly stopped. 0 for 6 on third down. D.K. Metcalf gets an unsportsmanlike conduct on the play. Not sure what he actually did. Jason Myers drilled the 55 yarder to get on the board. It's 14-3. 

November 13, 2022, 4:08 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 11:08 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Geno Smith is getting rid of the ball quickly to start the second half. Two plays 28 yards to start. Pete Carroll and Shane Waldron are a different animal after halftime. 

November 13, 2022, 4:05 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 11:05 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

The Seahawks are 0 of 5 on third down. They have ran 20 plays for 57 yards. Michael Dickson has been their best offensive player. He's averaging 50.6 yards per punt on 5 punts.

It's 14-0 TB at half. 

November 13, 2022, 3:46 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 10:46 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

The Seahawks have ran 17 plays for a total of just 50 yards and have punted all four possessions. The Seahawks are 0 of 4 on third down and have just three first downs. 

Michael Dickson has a 72-yard punt, so that's something. 

November 13, 2022, 3:37 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 10:37 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Easy TD there for the Buccaneers, who are now up 14-0 after the Leonard Fournette TD. Fournette has 12 carries for 48 yards and a score today. Efficient in a run game that has been anything but this year. 

November 13, 2022, 3:26 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 10:26 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

The Buccaneers just went over their rushing yards per game total already.

They have 65 in the first half. Average 60.7 on the year.

November 13, 2022, 3:24 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 10:24 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

The Seahawks offense to start this game. 12 plays, 38 yards, 2 first downs. Lifeless to start the game. Kenneth Walker is being taken away early, but he was last week too. Seattle needs to wear down this Tampa Bay defense and sustain time on the clock. 

November 13, 2022, 3:14 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 10:14 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Julio Jones just had the Buccaneers longest TD of the year.

31 yards. 

November 13, 2022, 3:11 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 10:11 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Julio Jones TD. It's 2017 all over agin. 31 yards for the TD as the Buccaneers take the early lead. Tom Brady is 6-of-10 for 79 yards to start this game. The Buccaneers needed someone to step up with Russell Gage out. Julio hit the fountain of youth. 

November 13, 2022, 3:08 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 10:08 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

I thought Fournette had a shot at a TD there. He ran over Diggs on that third down play. His duties have been relegated, but he's been a great short-yardage back. 

November 13, 2022, 3:03 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 10:03 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Interesting call for the Seahawks to punt on 4th-and-6 at the Buccaneers 39-yard line. They must really want to just play field position against an offense that can't run the ball. Take a delay of game penalty to pin Tampa back even more. 

November 13, 2022, 2:54 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 9:54 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

The 29-yard catch by Mike Evans was believed to be the spark for the Buccaneers offense. Instead, Tampa Bay got next to nothing on their next three plays which led to a missed FG by Ryan Succop. Awful possession. 

November 13, 2022, 2:49 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 9:49 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

That delay of game penalty crushed Seattle. Geno Smith and no one open and couldn't go anything on that 3rd-and-10. Good coverage by Tampa on the outside. Smart move by Smith to just take the sack. 

November 13, 2022, 2:40 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 9:40 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Three and out for Tampa Bay to start the game. Rachaad White started for the Bucs in place of Leonard Fournette with Tampa's run game on pace to be the worst since the 1946 Detroit Lions. 

November 13, 2022, 2:37 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 9:37 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Allianz Arena is so nice. The crowd outside the arena is electric. Feels like a Super Bowl type atmosphere in Germany. Sure the Tom Brady box office factor helps, but having two first place teams helps. This is gonna be a fun one. 

November 13, 2022, 2:32 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 9:32 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied
@Buccaneers via Twitter
November 13, 2022, 2:28 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 9:28 am EST
 
Pinned
Link copied
@Seahawks via Twitter
November 13, 2022, 2:27 PM
Nov. 13, 2022, 9:27 am EST
See More