The Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew a 24-0 lead and lost to the Washington Redskins on Sunday, and the sting of the historic defeat isn’t going to leave one of Tampa Bay’s defensive stars any time soon.
“This is one of those losses you get a permanent scar from,” Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David said, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
The Buccaneers went up 24-0 on Howard Jones’ fumble return for a touchdown in the second quarter. Washington then scored 31 of the game’s next 37 points, including Kirk Cousins’ touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Reed with 24 seconds left. The score gave the Redskins a 31-30 win, while handing Tampa Bay its second-biggest collapse in franchise history.
Back in 1987, the club gave a 25-point lead and lost to the St. Louis Cardinals.
David isn’t the only one dealing with some scarring.
“All losses really hurt, but you have some that really leave a deep scar,” Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith said, via ESPN. “And this is definitely one of those.”
Washington scored three straight touchdowns spanning the second and third quarters to get back into the game. Tampa Bay clung to a 30-24 advantage late in the fourth quarter when Cousins hit Reed on a slant from six yards out to complete the comeback. Washington recovered a fumble on the Buccaneers’ final possession to seal the game.
“It’s probably one of the worst losses I’ve been a part of,” David said.
The Buccaneers had almost 500 yards of total offense. Rookie quarterback Jameis Winston threw two touchdowns, running back Doug Martin gained 171 total yards and Mike Evans had a season-high 164 yards receiving. But Tampa Bay also committed 16 penalties, including seven giving Washington first downs, and David’s defense allowed Cousins to complete 33 of 40 passes and score four touchdowns.
“The offense won the game today,” defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said, via ESPN. “This one was on us.”
The Buccaneers have now allowed 30 or more points four times in six games this season. Tampa Bay and the Chicago Bears are currently tied for last in the NFL in points allowed per game (29.8).
Sunday’s loss dropped the Buccaneers to 2-4, good for last place in the NFC South.