Bucs vs Titans Halftime Recap: Penalties, Deep Balls, and Bad Defense

Even though the Bucs left the field at halftime boasting a 20-7 lead, there will be plenty to work on in the second half and through the coming weeks.

Tampa Bay was pretty good offensively, but penalties absolutely wreaked havoc on a couple of drives and the Bucs were forced to leave points on the field. One drive in particular gave them a 2nd-and-1 from the 13, but back to back penalties forced a field goal attempt.

Ryan Fitzpatrick had a pretty subpar day throwing the ball, but he was effective enough to lead the Bucs to a field goal on one of his two drives.

Peyton Barber looked good, with the highlight of his night coming off an 18-yard run off the right side. Mike Evans made a ridiculous catch as always and DeSean Jackson found room on a slant across the middle and on a 54-yard pass from Jameis Winston.

Speaking of Winston, he looked great again after a very good performance in Miami last week. He had one incredible/nerve-wracking play where he found Chris Godwin in the end zone after an intense scramble to give the Bucs their first touchdown of the game.

He then found rookie Justin Watson on a beautiful 21-yard hookup for the second touchdown that put the Bucs up 20-7.

Chandler Catanzaro hit both of his field goals, a 30-yarder and a 44-yarder, along with both of his extra points.

Both Charles Sims III and Caleb Benenoch were shaken up at one point, but neither injury seems serious.

Ronald Jones II is having another lackluster performance. Here’s to hoping this coaching staff can get him more involved in the second half.

The defense doesn’t look so hot tonight. Way too many missed tackles and poor angles - especially on the Taywan Taylor touchdown have put the unit in multiple situations where they are at a disadvantage.

Some quick numbers:

• Winston went 13/18 for 226 yards with two touchdowns in the second quarter.
• The Bucs recorded 15 first downs and went 6/10 on third down in the first half.
• Seven penalties were committed by Tampa Bay for 45 yards compared to the Titans’ three.
• DeSean Jackson had two catches for 73 yards.
• The Bucs gained 302 net yards to the Titans’ 139.