The Tampa Bay Bucs, who have spent the better part of a decade learning to lose, may have finally figured out how to win.
The Bucs won their fourth straight game Sunday and pulled into a tie with Atlanta for the NFC South lead. Tampa Bay beat San Diego, 28-21, after outscoring the Chargers 21-7 in the second half.
For the Bucs’ defense, it was the fourth straight impressive start. The Bucs have allowed only 53 points in those four games, and they have 12 sacks and 11 takeaways.
A pair of interceptions keyed the Bucs. The first was when rookie Vernon Hargreaves batted the ball into the air, and linebacker Lavonte David intercepted and returned it 15 yards for a score. The second came when backup safety Keith Tandy intercepted a pass in the Chargers’ end zone.
“We’re one of those teams that are starting to believe,” said Bucs’ coach Dirk Koetter. “It’s crazy what confidence can do when you start making plays. It starts to build on itself.”
“It feels great. That’s what you strive for all season. We knew we had a tough fight but we’re tied for first right now. Now we’ve just got to keep it up and just worry about what we can handle and that’s playing our game.”
Bucs’ quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 280 yards in the win. He had a rating of 93.8, which isn’t unusual. He’s had at least a 93.6 in six of his last seven games.
The Bucs are home Sunday against New Orleans.
