The 2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League, the 20th playing their home games at Raymond James Stadium and the second under head coachDirk Koetter.
They were hampered with poor performance and an early kicking situation, as they failed to improve or match their 9–7 record from the previous season. After a loss to the Detroit Lions, they were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs with a 4–9 record. The Bucs finished the season 5-11. This was their tenth consecutive season without a playoff appearance, with their last being in the 2007 season. Also, the Bucs finished last in the NFC South for the seventh time in nine seasons.
The preseason was documented on HBO's Hard Knocks.
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The first transactions of the year occurred shortly after the conclusion of the 2016 regular season on January 2, 2017, when the Buccaneers signed offensive lineman Josh Allen, safety Isaiah Johnson, offensive lineman Mike Liedtke, cornerback Cody Riggs, running back Blake Sims, and tight end Tevin Westbrook to reserve/futures contracts.[1]
On January 4, the Bucs signed tight end Kivon Cartwright and kicker John Lunsford to reserve/futures contracts.[2] On January 5, the Bucs signed Edmonton Eskimos wide receiver Derel Walker, Saskatchewan RoughridersJeff Knox Jr and guard Jarvis Harrison.[3]
On September 3, the club signed T. J. Ward, previously with Denver, for a one-year deal worth $5 million.[4]
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
* The Buccaneers were originally scheduled to play the Miami Dolphins during Week 1 (September 10) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. However, due to the impact from Hurricane Irma, the game was re-scheduled to Week 11, in which both the Buccaneers and Dolphins would originally have had their byes.[5]
Game summaries[]
Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears[]
Week Two: Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
CHI – Eddie Jackson – 7 tackles, 1 assisted tackle
TB – Lavonte David – 8 tackles, 1 assisted tackle
After a bye in Week 1 due to Hurricane Irma, Tampa Bay began their season in Week 2 against Chicago. Jameis Winston threw for 204 yards and 1 touchdown pass to Mike Evans, as the Buccaneers routed the Bears 29-7. Bears quarterback (and former Buccaneer) Mike Glennon lost a fumble, and threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings[]
Week Three: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Before the game, wide receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson kneeled during the national anthem after comments made by president Donald Trump about national anthem protests two days prior. The Vikings jumped out to a 28-3 lead by the third quarter, while the Buccaneers defense could not contain Case Keenum, who threw for 369 yards and three touchdown passes. After quarterback Jameis Winston threw his second interception, a frustrated Evans was seen kicking over the ice tub on the sidelines. Minnesota held on to top Tampa Bay by the final score of 31-17.
Week 4: vs. New York Giants[]
Week Four: New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Jameis Winston threw for 332 yards and three touchdown passes, but Tampa Bay found themselves trailing by a point late in the fourth quarter to the New York Giants. Tampa Bay jumped out to a 13–0 lead in the first quarter, but kicker Nick Folk missed an extra point and later missed two field goal attempts. The Giants took a 23–22 lead with 3:16 remaining in regulation after a 2-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Rhett Ellison. In the final three minutes, Winston drove the Buccaneers to the Giants' 16-yard line. Folk kicked a 34-yard field goal just inside the left upright as time expired, and Tampa Bay won 25–23.
Week 5: vs. New England Patriots[]
Week Five: New England Patriots at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
The Tampa Bay defense played significantly better, picking off Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (his first interception of the season) and getting a sack fumble. Running back Doug Martin returned from his suspension, and had a productive showing, rushing for 74 yards on 14 carries and scoring a touchdown. However, the Tampa Bay offense mostly struggled through the first three quarters. Meanwhile, Buccaneers kicker Nick Folk struggled mightily, missing on all three of his field goal attempts. Late in the fourth quarter, Jameis Winston threw a touchdown pass to tight end Cameron Brate, making the score 16-14 with just over two minutes left in regulation. After a failed onside kicked, the Patriots scored a field goal putting themselves up by five. The Buccaneers got the ball back with 1:10 remaining, and zero timeouts left. Winston drove the Buccaneers to the New England 18-yard line with 3 seconds to go. Winston's pass to O. J. Howard in the endzone as time expired fell incomplete, ending the team's six-game home winning streak. After missing six kicks since the Giants game (five field goals and one extra point), kicker Nick Folk was placed on injured reserve.
Week 6: at Arizona Cardinals[]
Week Six: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 11-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Phil Dawson kick), 12:04. Cardinals 21–0. Drive: 7 plays, 95 yards, 4:04.
ARI – Phil Dawson 28-yard field goal, 5:31. Cardinals 24–0. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 6:02.
Third quarter
ARI – John Brown 17-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Phil Dawson kick), 11:58. Cardinals 31–0. Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 2:11.
TB – DeSean Jackson 4-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (run failed), 8:27. Cardinals 31–6. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:31.
Fourth quarter
TB – Cameron Brate 10-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (pass failed), 13:32. Cardinals 31–12. Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 2:50.
TB – Lavonte David 21-yard fumble return (Doug Martin run), 12:56. Cardinals 31–19.
ARI – Adrian Peterson 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 7:17. Cardinals 38–19. Drive: 1 plays, 1 yards, 0:05.
TB – Doug Martin 1-yard run (pass failed), 3:02. Cardinals 38–25. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:15.
TB – Mike Evans 37-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Patrick Murray kick), 2:02. Cardinals 38–33. Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 0:32.
Top passers
TB – Ryan Fitzpatrick – 22/32, 290 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
ARI – Carson Palmer – 18/22, 283 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
TB – Doug Martin – 14 carries, 53 yards, TD
ARI – Adrian Peterson – 26 carries, 134 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
TB – Cameron Brate – 6 receptions, 76 yards, TD
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 10 receptions, 138 yards, TD
Top tacklers
TB –
ARI –
The Buccaneers started off horribly, both offensively and defensively as the Cardinals scored early. Five days earlier, veteran running back Adrian Peterson had been traded to Arizona from the Saints. Peterson started his first game for the Cardinals, scoring on the opening drive. Down 24-0 in the second quarter, Jameis Winston was sidelined with a shoulder injury and was replaced by backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Winston would not return. After Fitzpatrick threw an interception early in the third quarter, the Cardinals scored again taking a 31-0 lead. The Buccaneers mounted a comeback, outscoring the Cardinals 33-7 for the remainder of the game, but came up short 38-33 after failing to recover an onside kick with just 2:02 remaining in regulation.
Week 7: at Buffalo Bills[]
Week Seven: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
The Buccaneers played a more consistent game, but still came up short in Buffalo. After scoring early in the third quarter, Buffalo took a 17-6 lead. After another Bills field goal, and two touchdown passes from Jameis Winston to rookie tight-end O. J. Howard, the game was tied, 20-20. With just over 3 minutes remaining in regulation, another touchdown pass by Winston, this time a diving catch just inbounds by Mike Evans gave the Buccaneers a 27-20 lead. On the next drive, the Bills drove down the field in three plays to tie the game, aided by an ill-timed 15-yard Unnecessary Roughness penalty by Robert McClain. With 2:20 left in the fourth, a pass from Winston to Adam Humphries was fumbled and recovered by the Bills at Tampa Bay 32-yard line. After running down the clock, the Bills kicked a field goal to win the game. With this loss, the Buccaneers now have lost three straight games, all by less than one score, and sit at 2-4 at the bottom of the NFC South.
Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers[]
Week Eight: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
The Buccaneers drop their fourth straight game in a disappointing loss. The defense improved, while the offense only put up 3 points. With this loss, the Bucs move to 2-5 and are still at the bottom of the NFC South.
Week 9: at New Orleans Saints[]
Week Nine: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
The offense once again struggled as the Bucs lost their fifth straight game and their second straight against a division opponent. Jameis Winston sat out of the second half due to an injury and was replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick. This game was also marred by a brawl on Tampa Bay's sideline in the 3rd quarter when Winston, who was already considered out with the aforementioned injury, went over and pushed Marshon Lattimore in his ear, and Mike Evans suddenly shoved Lattimore from behind to spark the fight; however, there were no ejections.
With this loss, the Bucs move to 2-6. This is the Bucs' longest losing streak since the 2014 season.
Week 10: vs. New York Jets[]
Week Ten: New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
The Bucs end their five game losing streak with a win at home against the Jets. With Jameis Winston out with an injury and Mike Evans out due to a one game suspension earned in the previous game against the Saints, Ryan Fitzpatrick and rookie Chris Godwin got the starts for the Bucs. The only scores came from field goals until the fourth quarter where both teams scored late touchdowns. The Bucs scored first taking a 15-3 lead, then the Jets scored with 38 seconds left, cutting the lead to five points. A failed Jets onside kick sealed a Bucs win.
Week 11: at Miami Dolphins[]
Week Eleven: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
TB – Patrick Murray 30-yard field goal, 14:10. Dolphins 7–6. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 5:13.
TB – O. J. Howard 6-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Patrick Murray kick), 12:14. Buccaneers 13–7. Drive: 3 plays, 5 yards, 0:41.
TB – DeSean Jackson 4-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Patrick Murray kick), 0:45. Buccaneers 20–7. Drive: 4 plays, 37 yards, 1:05.
Third quarter
MIA – Cody Parkey 26-yard field goal, 10:57. Buccaneers 20–10. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:03.
MIA – Cody Parkey 31-yard field goal, 4:19. Buccaneers 20–13. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 4:52.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Kenny Stills 61-yard pass from Matt Moore (Cody Parkey kick), 3:00. Tied 20–20. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 1:37.
TB – Patrick Murray 35-yard field goal, 0:04. Buccaneers 23–20. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 2:56.
TB – Adarius Glanton fumble recovery in end zone (Patrick Murray kick), 0:00. Buccaneers 30–20.
Top passers
TB – Ryan Fitzpatrick – 22/37, 275 yards, 2 TD
MIA – Matt Moore – 17/28, 282 yards, TD
Top rushers
TB – Doug Martin – 19 carries, 38 yards
MIA – Damien Williams – 10 carries, 78 yards
Top receivers
TB – Mike Evans – 5 receptions, 92 yards
MIA – Kenny Stills – 7 receptions, 180 yards, TD
Top tacklers
TB –
MIA –
After originally being slated to play in Week 1, the Bucs and the Dolphins finally met on what should have been each other's bye week. The Bucs win consecutive games for the first time this year with a 30-20 win. The defense created 4 turnovers in the first half, 3 interceptions and one fumble. Ryan Fitzpatrick started once again, finishing with over 270 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. With this win, the Bucs move to 4-6.
Week 12: at Atlanta Falcons[]
Week Twelve: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
ATL – Julio Jones – 12 receptions, 253 yards, 2 TD
Top tacklers
TB –
ATL –
The Bucs go 0-3 in the division with a loss at the Falcons. After going down 27-6 in the third quarter, the Bucs fought back to cut the lead to 27-20. After a turn over on downs, the Falcons scored again to end the game. With this loss, the Bucs fall to 4-7, equaling their loss total from last season.
Week 13: at Green Bay Packers[]
Week Thirteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
After going down 21-7 in the third, the Bucs fought back to tie the game 21-21. With 20 seconds left, the Lions scored a field goal to secure the win. With this loss, the Bucs were officially mathematically out of the playoffs. This marked the 10th straight season without a playoff appearance.
Week 15: vs. Atlanta Falcons[]
Week Fifteen: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
The Bucs lost their fourth straight game. This marked the first time since 2014 where the Bucs didn't win at least one of the two games against the Falcons. Jameis Winston played, arguably, his best game of the season finishing 27/35 on passes, throwing three touchdowns with no interceptions. A late fourth quarter pass to Adam Humphries brought the Bucs within three points, but kicker Pat Murray missed a 54-yard field goal with 0 seconds remaining to seal the loss. The Bucs move to 4-10 on the season, with the last two games being against division rivals New Orleans and Carolina.
During halftime, former Bucs coach Jon Gruden was inducted into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor. He is best known for leading the Bucs to their one (and only) Super Bowl win.
Week 16: at Carolina Panthers[]
Week Sixteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
The Bucs finish the season with a win against a division rival. A late 4th quarter touchdown pass from Jameis Winston to rookie wide receiver Chris Godwin with 9 seconds remaining gave the Bucs their first win against a division opponent this year. With this win, the Bucs finish the season 5-11, their sixth losing season in eight years. They went 4-4 in home games and 1-7 in road games. They will pick 7th in the 2018 NFL Draft.
