TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-3) AT BUFFALO BILLS (3-2)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22ND, 1:00 P.M. ET
NEW ERA FIELD (71,870)
BUC BIT OF THE DAY
LB Lavonte David forced a career-high two fumbles against Arizona, recovering one and returning it 21 yards for a touchdown. It was his third career defensive touchdown, tied for the fifth-most in team history. His 14 interceptions since 2012 are tied for 10th among all NFL player and his eight fumble recoveries are the fourth-most in the league during that time. David has scored 20 points (three touchdowns, one safety) since 2012, the third-most among all defensive lineman and linebackers during that time (J.J. Watt, Karlos Dansby). Since 2015, David is tied for second among defensive players in return touchdowns with three (Aqib Talib, four).
Head Coach Dirk Koetter On why he hasn’t had the effectiveness he desires from his defensive ends…
“Noah [Spence] knocked that ball out of [Carson] Palmer’s hand on that one yesterday – on the third down when we started playing better in the second half on defense. They’re just blocking us. Sometimes in the New England game, Noah ran behind the quarterback too often. I thought he did a better job of that yesterday. Robert [Ayers] didn’t have a lot of production either way yesterday – didn’t play terrible, didn’t play great. Our two sacks came from the defensive tackles, but your guys are your guys. You’ve just got to keep working.”
COOL NOTES
When QB Ryan Fitzpatrick connected with TE Cam Brate for a completed pass in the second quarter, it marked the first time in NFL history that two players from Harvard did so.
Both TE Cam Brate and WR Adam Humphries reached/passed the 100-catch mark in their careers with today’s totals. Brate now has 102 career catches. Humphries now has 105 career catches. They are two of only five undrafted players in team history to reach 100 career receptions.
Tampa Bay recorded over 400 yards of offense in each of the past three games. With 400 or more yards of offense at Buffalo, Tampa Bay would tie the longest such streak in team history (four games: 10/14/12 vs. KC- 11/4/12 at OAK).
RB Doug Martin has 11 100-yard rushing games as a Buccaneer and needs one more to pass Warrick Dunn (11 from 1997-2001, 2008) for second-most and four more to pass James Wilder (14 from 1981-89) for the most 100- yard rushing games in franchise history.