2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

Offseason

2011 draft board

Main article: 2011 NFL draft

After finishing the 2010 season 10–6 and narrowly missing the playoffs, the Buccaneers had the 20th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. A provision in the now expired collective bargaining agreement ensured that the draft still take place, despite the current lockout and lack of a new CBA.

Draft notes

Roster changes

Sources: http://www.buccaneers.com/team-and-stats/transactions.html http://www.nfl.com/teams/tampabaybuccaneers/transactions?team=TB as of 09/28/2011 2:00 p.m. EDT

• Clubs are allowed 90 active players at the opening of training camp.
• Clubs must cut rosters to 80 active players by August 30.
• Clubs must cut final rosters to 53 active players by September 3.

Players re-signed

• Ronde Barber
• Quincy Black
• Jeremy Trueblood
• Davin Joseph
• Adam Hayward
• Michael Bennett
• Demar Dotson
• Tim Crowder
• Frank Okam (cut)
• Micheal Spurlock
• Elbert Mack
• Corey Lynch
• James Lee
• Connor Barth
• E. J. Wilson (IR)

Players signed

• Michael Koenen
• Devin Holland
• Zac Diles
• Raymond Webber (IR)
• Zack Pianalto (claimed off waivers)
• Chris Riley (claimed off waivers)
• Albert Haynesworth (claimed off waivers)
• Matt Clapp
• Collin Franklin
• Swanson Miller
• Nic Grinsby
• Daniel Te'o-Nesheim

Players released/losses

• Carnell Williams (StL)
• Barrett Ruud (Ten)
• Maurice Stovall (Det)
• John Gilmore (Pit)
• Quintin Borders
• Josh Jasper
• Doug Worthington (Wash)
• Mike Coughlin
• Aaron Feld
• Deonte Jackson
• Victor Aiyewa
• Jose Cruz
• Brandon Carter
• Aundrae Allison
• Vince Anderson
• Brandon Gilbeaux
• Detron Lewis
• Robert Malone (Det)
• Jock Sanders
• Ashton Youboty
• Rendrick Taylor
• Tyrone McKenzie (Min)
• Kyle Moore (Det)
• Armando Allen (Chi)
• John Malecki
• Matt Allen
• Cory Brandon
• Thomas Claiborne
• Jonathan Crompton (Wash)
• Marc Dile
• Daniel Hardy
• Dominique Harris
• Brandon Heath
• Simoni Lawrence
• Alex Magee
• Nathan Overbay
• Maurice Price
• Ryan Purvis
• Nick Reveiz
• Jacob Rogers
• Al Woods (Det)
• D. J. Johnson (Min)
• Scott Albritton
• Ross Homan
• Will Barker (Mia)
• Allen Bradford (Sea)

Practice Squad

• Chris Riley
• Ahmad Black
• Rudy Carpenter
• Collin Franklin
• Ed Gant
• Nic Grinsby
• Swanson Miller
• Matt Clapp

Injuries/reserve lists

• Andrew Economos was placed on the PUP list (Sept. 3); he was re-activated November 4.
• Cody Grimm suffered damage to the MCL in his right knee (week 3) |access-date=2011-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928100415/http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/tampa-bay-buccaneers-safety-cody-grimm-likely-out-for-season/1193710 |archive-date=2011-09-28 |url-status=dead and was placed on injured reserve.
• Running back Earnest Graham was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during the game against Chicago.
• Gerald McCoy was placed in injured reserve with an arm injury (November 7)

Selected staff and personnel

• Head coach Raheem Morris – Club exercised two-year contract extension (fired January 2, 2012)
• General manager Mark Dominik – Four-year contract extension
• Pat Morris named offensive line coach.
• Keith Millard named defensive line coach.
• Grady Stretz named defensive line coach.

Preseason

Schedule

• On March 21, 2011, Aqib Talib was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following an incident in Garland, Texas, in which Talib and his mother allegedly shot at a man.{{cite news |access-date=2011-09-06}} On August 23, Talib met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regarding possible game suspensions regarding his charge.{{cite news |access-date=2011-09-06}}{{cite news |access-date=2011-09-06}} On August 27, it was announced that Talib would not be suspended for any games. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209161505/http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/article/207852/8/No-suspension-for-Bucs-CB-Aqib-Talib |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-02-09 |access-date=2011-09-06

Regular season

Schedule

The Buccaneers' regular season schedule was announced April 19. Tampa Bay played Chicago at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on October 23 as part of the NFL International Series, with Tampa Bay serving as the host team.

The team's Ring of Honor induction ceremony took place during the December 4 game against Carolina. The team honored Jimmie Giles at halftime, and wore their orange throwback uniforms. | access-date=2011-07-13 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218001109/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Break-Out-the-Orange-Throwback-Game-Is-Dec-4/e112b5a8-4622-45cb-aa8d-9c72f3cb1ff5 | archive-date=2011-12-18 | url-status=dead

LEGEND: : Indicates that the Buccaneers wore their white jerseys at home. : Orange indicates designated throwback game.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Detroit Lions

First quarter

• DET – Hanson 23-yard field goal, Det 3–0
• TB – Barth 38-yard field goal, Tied 3–3
• TB – Talib 28-yard interception return (Barth kick), TB 10–3
• DET – Hanson 28-yard field goal, TB 10–6 Second quarter
• DET – Johnson 36-yard pass from Stafford (Hanson kick), Det 13–10
• DET – Scheffler 11-yard pass from Stafford (Hanson kick), Det 20–10
• TB – Barth 31-yard field goal, Lions 20–13 Third quarter
• DET – Johnson 1-yard pass from Stafford (Hanson kick), Det 27–13 Fourth quarter
• TB – Williams 7-yard pass from Freeman (Barth kick), Det 27–20 Top passers
• DET – Stafford – 24/33, 305 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
• TB – Freeman – 28/43, 259 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception Top rushers
• DET – Best – 21 rushes, 72 yards
• TB – Freeman – 4 rushes, 26 yards Top receivers
• DET – Johnson – 6 receptions, 88 yards, 2 touchdowns
• TB – Winslow – 6 receptions, 66 yards Top tacklers
• DET – Spievey – 7 tackles
• TB – Hayes – 8 tackles Detroit scored two touchdowns in the second quarter, and led Tampa Bay 27–13 late in the game. Josh Freeman suffered through some cramping issues, but rallied the Buccaneers to score a touchdown with under four minutes remaining. The subsequent onside kick failed, but the Buccaneers were able to get the ball back in the final two minutes. Freeman drove Tampa Bay to the Lions 42-yard line in the closings seconds, but they were unable to score.

Week 2: at Minnesota Vikings

First quarter

• Min – Peterson 1-yard touchdown run (Longwell kick), Min 7–0 Second quarter
• Min – Longwell 22-yard field goal, Min 10–0
• Min – Peterson 9-yard touchdown run (Longwell kick), Min 17–0 Third quarter
• TB – Blount 27-yard touchdown run (Barth kick), Min 17–7
• TB – Barth 36-yard field goal, Min 17–10
• Min – Longwell 29-yard field goal, Min 20–10 Fourth quarter
• TB – Benn 25-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (Barth kick), Min 20–17
• TB – Blount 4-yard touchdown run (Barth kick), TB 24–20 Top passers
• TB – Josh Freeman – 22/31, 243 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
• MIN – Donovan McNabb – 18/30, 228 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions Top rushers
• TB – LeGarrette Blount – 13 rushes, 71 yards, 2 touchdowns
• MIN – Adrian Peterson – 25 rushes, 120 yards, 2 touchdowns Top receivers
• TB – Preston Parker – 7 receptions, 98 yards
• MIN – Percy Harvin – 7 receptions, 76 yards Top tacklers
• TB – Mason Foster – 7 tackles, 3 assists (1 sack)
• MIN – Antoine Winfield – 11 tackles Minnesota led Tampa Bay 17–0 at halftime, but the Buccaneers rallied for the 24–20 victory on the road. In the final four minutes, Josh Freeman drove the Buccaneers 61 yards in 9 plays, capped off by a game-winning 4-yard touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount with 35 seconds remaining.

Week 3: vs. Atlanta Falcons

First quarter

• TB – Barth 38-yard field goal, TB 3–0 Second quarter
• Atl – Bryant 26-yard field goal, Tied 3–3
• TB – Freeman 1-yard touchown run (Barth kick), TB 10–3
• TB – Barth 26-yard field goal, TB 13–3 Third quarter
• TB – Barth 28-yard field goal, TB 16–3 Fourth quarter
• Atl – Gonzalez 10-yard touchdown pass from Ryan (Bryant kick), TB 16–10
• Atl – Bryant 336-yard field goal, TB 16–13 Top passers
• ATL – Matt Ryan – 27/47, 330 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
• TB – Josh Freeman – 22/32, 180 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions Top rushers
• ATL – Michael Turner – 11 rushes, 20 yards
• TB – LeGarrette Blount – 24 rushes, 81 yards Top receivers
• ATL – Roddy White – 9 receptions, 140 yards
• TB – Earnest Graham – 7 receptions, 37 yards Top tacklers
• ATL – Sean Weatherspoon – 10 tackles, 1 assist
• TB – E. J. Biggers – 7 tackles Tampa Bay led Atlanta 16–13 with 1:49 remaining. The Buccaneers faced 4th down & 1 at the Atlanta 44-yard line. The Falcons had no timeouts remaining, and were looking to get the ball back for one last drive. Josh Freeman and the Buccaneers lined up for the fourth down play, and the Falcons flinched on the hard count. The Falcons were penalized 5 yards for Offsides, the Buccaneers received a first down, and were able to run the clock out the secure the victory.

Tampa Bay snapped a 5-game losing streak to their division rivals, and coach Raheem Morris won his first game against Atlanta.

Week 4: vs. Indianapolis Colts

First quarter

• IND – Vinatieri 45-yard field goal, IND 3–0 Second quarter
• IND – Garçon 87-yard touchdown pass from Painter (Vinatieri kick), IND 10–0
• TB – Freeman 1-yard touchdown run (Barth kick), IND 10–7 Third quarter
• TB – Barth 46-yard field goal, Tied 10–10
• IND – Garçon 59-yard touchdown pass from Painter (Vinatieri kick), IND 17–10
• IND – Parker 13-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (Barth kick), Tied 17–17 Fourth quarter
• TB – Blount 35-yard touchdown run (Barth kick), TB 24–17 Top passers
• IND – Curtis Painter – 13/30, 281 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
• TB – Josh Freeman – 25/39, 287 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions Top rushers
• IND – Joseph Addai – 11 rushes, 41 yards
• TB – LeGarrette Blount – 25 rushes, 127 yards, 1 touchdown Top receivers
• IND – Reggie Wayne – 4 receptions, 59 yards
• TB – Preston Parker – 4 receptions, 70 yards, 1 touchdown Top tacklers
• IND – Conner – 14 tackles, 4 assists
• TB – Gerald McCoy – 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack Tampa Bay hosted the winless Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football. Miscues and penalties nearly cost the Buccaneers control of the game, but Josh Freeman threw for 287 yards, and LeGarrette Blount rushed for 127 yards, as Tampa Bay won the game 24–17. Curtis Painter started at quarterback for the Colts, his first career NFL start.

The Colts led early after an Adam Vinatieri field goal. Tampa Bay then sacked Painter and recovered the fumble. Connor Barth's field goal attempt, however, bounced off the upright, and the score remained 3–0. Late in the first quarter, Freeman connected to Arrelious Benn, who ran 62 yards for an apparent touchdown. However, the touchdown was nullified since Benn has stepped out-of-bounds before the catch (illegal touching).

In the second quarter, the Buccaneers pinned the Colts at their own 2-yard line. Painter threw to Pierre Garçon, who ran for an 87-yard touchdown, and 10–0 lead. Tampa Bay answered with a touchdown, and trimmed the score to 10–7. In the final seconds of the first half, Freeman drove the Buccaneers to the Colts 19-yard line, but was sacked with 20 seconds to go and counting. The field goal unit hurried on to the field, and the field goal was initially good. Tampa Bay, however, was penalized for 12 men on the field, and the score was nullified.

Tied 17–17 in the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay received a punt with just under 7 minutes remaining. LeGarrette Blount blasted for a 35-yard touchdown run, and a 24–17 Tampa Bay lead. In the final three minutes, Tampa Bay ran out the clock, including a "4th & Inches" quarterback sneak by Freeman, to seal the victory.

This was Tampa Bay's first appearance on Monday Night Football since 2008, and the first home Monday night game since 2003. This MNF telecast was notable in that Hank Williams, Jr.'s "All My Rowdy Friends" opening was omitted due to comments he made on Fox & Friends earlier in the day where he compared a golf outing involving Barack Obama, John Boehner, Joe Biden, and John Kasich to "Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu."{{cite news |access-date=2011-10-07}}{{cite news |access-date=2011-10-07}}

Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers

First quarter

• SF — Walker 26-yard touchdown pass from Smith (Akers kick), SF 7–0
• TB — Barth 24-yard field goal, SF 7–3 Second quarter
• SF — Rogers 31-yard interception return (Akers kick), SF 14–3
• SF — Gore 2-yard touchdown run, SF 21–3
• SF — Akers 37-yard field goal, SF 24–3 Third quarter
• SF — Davis 23-yard touchdown pass from Smith (Akers kick), SF 31–3
• SF — Akers 27-yard field goal, SF 34–3 Fourth quarter
• SF — Davis 14-yard touchdown pass from Smith (Akers kick), SF 41–3
• SF — Dixon 1-yard touchdown run (Akers kick),SF 48–3 Top passers
• TB – Josh Freeman – 17/33, 187 yards, 2 interceptions
• SF – Alex Smith – 11/19, 170 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions Top rushers
• TB – LeGarrette Blount – 10 rushes, 34 yards
• SF – Frank Gore – 20 rushes, 125 yards, 1 touchdown Top receivers
• TB – Kellen Winslow – 5 receptions, 54 yards
• SF – Josh Morgan – 5 receptions, 75 yards Top tacklers
• TB – Sean Jones – 8 tackles
• SF – Patrick Willis – 10 tackles, 2 assists Josh Freeman threw two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), as Tampa Bay was routed 48–3 at San Francisco. Tampa Bay was held to only 86 yards rushing, had three turnovers, and suffered 9 penalties for a total of 96 yards.

Week 6: vs. New Orleans Saints

First quarter

• TB – Barth 48-yard field goal, TB 3–0
• NO – Colston 38-yard touchdown pass from Brees (Kasay kick), NO 7-0 Second quarter
• TB – Benn 65-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (Barth kick), TB 10–7
• TB – Barth 42-yard field goal, TB 13–7
• TB – Parker 19-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (Barth kick), TB 20–7
• NO – Kasay 33-yard field goal, TB 20–10 Third quarter
• NO – Kasay 24-yard field goal, TB 20–13
• TB – Barth 42-yard field goal, TB 23–13 Fourth quarter
• NO – Ingram 12-yard touchdown run (Kasay kick), TB 23–20
• TB – Barth 38-yard field goal, TB 26–20 Top passers
• NO – Drew Brees – 29/45, 383 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions
• TB – Josh Freeman – 23/41, 303 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions Top rushers
• NO – Mark Ingram II – 9 rushes, 22 yards, 1 touchdown
• TB – Earnest Graham – 17 rushes, 109 yards Top receivers
• NO – Darren Sproles – 8 receptions, 46 yards
• TB – Mike Williams – 6 receptions, 59 yards Top tacklers
• NO – Malcolm Jenkins – 6 tackles, 1 assist
• TB – Ronde Barber – 6 tackles, 1 assist Josh Freeman threw for 303 yards and two touchdown passes, as Tampa Bay rebounded from the previous week, and beat divisional rival New Orleans by a score of 26–20. Drew Brees threw three interceptions, and the Saints lost a fumble, and Tampa Bay scored 10 points off of turnovers.

Trailing 26–20 midway through the fourth quarter, Brees drove the Saints to the Tampa Bay 4-yard line. On 4th down & 2 with 3:24 remaining, Brees was intercepted in the endzone by Quincy Black. The Buccaneers ran out the clock, and preserved the win.

Week 7: vs. Chicago Bears

First quarter

• Chi – Forté 32-yard touchdown run (Gould kick), Chi 7–0
• TB – Barber safety, Chi 7–2 Second quarter
• Chi – Williams 25-yard touchdown pass from Cutler (Gould kick), Chi 14–2
• TB – Barth 33-yard field goal, Chi 14–5 Third quarter
• Chi – Barber 12-yard touchdown run (Gould kick), Chi 21–5 Fourth quarter
• TB – Winslow 2-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (pass failed), Chi 21–11
• TB – Briscoe 24-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (Barth kick), Chi 21–18
• Chi – Gould 25-yard field goal, Chi 24–18 Top passers
• CHI – Cutler – 17/32, 226 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions
• TB – Josh Freeman – 29/51, 264 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions Top rushers
• CHI – Matt Forté – 25 rushes, 145 yards, 1 touchdown
• TB – Kregg Lumpkin – 8 rushes, 15 yards Top receivers
• CHI – Roy Williams – 4 receptions, 59 yards, 1 touchdown
• TB – Mike Williams – 6 receptions, 75 yards Top tacklers
• CHI – Charles Tillman – 9 tackles, 1 assist
• TB – Sean Jones – 6 tackles, 1 assist Tampa Bay hosted Chicago at Wembley Stadium in London, England, their second time participating in the NFL International Series. Josh Freeman threw four interceptions, and Tampa Bay lost one fumble for five total turnovers. Chicago stretched out to a 21–5 lead before the Buccaneers staged a rally in the fourth quarter. Freeman threw two touchdown passes and the deficit was trimmed to 24–18 in the final two minutes. Freeman drove the Buccaneers to the Chicago 39-yard line, but the comeback was thwarted when he was intercepted with 37 seconds left.

Running back LeGarrette Blount was inactive due to injury, and Earnest Graham left the game in the first quarter due to an ankle injury. Third-string running back Kregg Lumpkin was left to handle rushing duties, but managed only 15 yards.

Week 9: at New Orleans Saints

First quarter

• NO – Moore 3-yard touchdown pass from Brees (Kasay kick), NO 7-0 Second quarter
• NO – Sproles 21-yard touchdown pass from Brees (Kasay kick), NO 14-0
• TB – Barth 40-yard field goal, NO 14-3
• NO – Kasay 21-yard field goal, NO 17-3 Third quarter
• TB – Barth 48-yard field goal, NO 17-6
• NO – Thomas 9-yard touchdown run (Kasay kick), NO 24-6 Fourth quarter
• TB – Barth 25-yard field goal, NO 24-9
• TB – Winslow 5-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (Barth kick), NO 24-16
• NO – Kasay 34-yard field goal, NO 27-16 Top passers
• NO – Drew Brees – 27/36, 258 yards, 2 touchdown, 1 interception
• TB – Josh Freeman – 27/37, 281 yards, 1 touchdowns, 0 interceptions Top rushers
• TB – LeGarrette Blount – 13 rushes, 72 yards
• NO – Chris Ivory – 15 rushes, 67 yards Top receivers
• TB – Mike Williams – 6 receptions, 46 yards
• NO – Jimmy Graham – 6 receptions, 78 yards Top tacklers
• TB – Mason Foster – 7 tackles, 2 assists
• NO – Jonathan Casillas – 4 tackles, 6 assists New Orleans jumped out to a 24–6 lead, behind Drew Brees' 258 yards passing and 195 combined rushing yards. However, Tampa Bay tried to rally in the fourth quarter. Josh Freeman threw a touchdown pass to Kellen Winslow with 5:33 to go. The Saints, however, were able to run out the clock, and kicked a game-icing field goal to win 27–16.

Week 10: vs. Houston Texans

First quarter

• Hou – Jones 80-yard touchdown pass from Schaub (kick blocked), Hou 6–0
• Hou – Rackers 22-yard field goal, Hou 9–0 Second quarter
• Hou – Foster 78-yard touchdown pass from Schaub (Rackers kick), Hou 16–0
• TB – Barth 55-yard field goal, Hou 16–3 Third quarter
• Hou – Foster 5-yard touchdown run (Rackers kick), Hou 23–3
• Hou – Ward 4-yard touchdown run (Rackers kick), Hou 30–3 Fourth quarter
• TB – Parker 9-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (pass failed), Hou 30–9
• Hou – Tate 11-yard touchdown run (Rackers kick), Hou 37–9 Top passers
• HOU – Matt Schaub – 11/15, 242 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
• TB – Josh Freeman – 15/33, 170 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions Top rushers
• HOU – Arian Foster – 17 rushes, 84 yards
• TB – LeGarrette Blount – 10 rushes, 34 yards, 1 touchdown Top receivers
• HOU – Arian Foster – 4 receptions, 102 yards, 1 touchdown
• TB – Kregg Lumpkin – 5 receptions, 30 yards Top tacklers
• HOU – Brian Cushing – 8 tackles, 1 sack
• TB – Adam Hayward – 7 tackles, 1 assist Tampa Bay lost their fourth game out of the last five, falling to Houston by the score of 37–9. On the first play of the game, Matt Schaub completed a pass to Jacoby Jones, who proceeded to go for an 80-yard touchdown. In the second quarter, Arian Foster had a 78-yard touchdown reception from Schaub, and the Texans were in control of the game throughout. Josh Freeman threw three interceptions, two of which led to touchdowns for Houston.

Week 11: at Green Bay Packers

First quarter

• GB – Raji 1-yard touchdown run (Crosby kick), GB 7–0
• GB – Crabtree 5-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), GB 14–0 Second quarter
• TB – Blount 54-yard touchdown run (Barth kick), GB 14–7
• TB – Barth 23-yard field goal, GB 14–10
• GB – Nelson 5-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), GB 21–10 Third quarter
• TB – Barth 32-yard field goal, GB 21–13 Fourth quarter
• TB – Williams 5-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (pass failed), GB 21–19
• GB – Crabtree 2-yard touchdown run (Crosby kick), GB 28–19
• TB – Briscoe 2-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (Barth kick), GB 28–26
• GB – Nelson 40-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), GB 35–26 Top passers
• TB – Josh Freeman – 28/38, 342 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
• GB – Aaron Rodgers – 23/34, 299 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception Top rushers
• TB – LeGarrette Blount – 18 rushes, 107 yards, 1 touchdown
• GB – James Starks – 11 rushes, 38 yards Top receivers
• TB – Kellen Winslow – 9 receptions, 132 yards
• GB – Jordy Nelson – 6 receptions, 123 yards, 2 touchdowns Top tacklers
• TB – Sean Jones – 7 tackles, 1 assist
• GB – Tramon Williams – 7 tackles, 2 assists

Josh Freeman threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns, but Tampa Bay fell to Green Bay by a score of 35–26. With 4:25 remaining Tampa Bay scored a touchdown to trim the deficit to 28–26. An onside kick failed, and Green Bay took over. Green Bay iced the game with a touchdown with 2:55 to go.

Undefeated Green Bay improved to 10–0 on the season, and avoided the scare by the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay dropped to 4–6, losing to the Packers for the first time since 2003 and losing at Lambeau Field for the first time since 2001, the last year both teams were rivals in the former NFC Central division.

Week 12: at Tennessee Titans

First quarter

• TB – Barth 43-yard field goal, TB 3–0
• Ten – Campbell 84-yard kickoff return (Bironas kick), Ten 7–3 Second quarter
• Ten – Bironas 31-yard field goal, Ten 10–3
• TB – Williams 3-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (Barth kick), 10–10 Third quarter
• TB – Talib 27-yard interception return (Barth kick), TB 17–10 Fourth quarter
• Ten – Bironas 52-yard field goal, TB 17–13
• Ten – Williams 2-yard touchdown pass from Hasselbeck (Bironas kick), Ten 20–17
• Ten – Bironas 38-yard field goal, Ten 23–17 Top passers
• TB – Josh Freeman – 18/33, 199 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
• TEN – Matt Hasselbeck – 19/34, 160 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions Top rushers
• TB – LeGarrette Blount – 20 rushes, 103 yards
• TEN – Chris Johnson – 23 rushes, 190 yards Top receivers
• TB – Mike Williams – 6 receptions, 84 yards, 1 touchdown
• TEN – Lavelle Hawkins – 5 receptions, 51 yards Top tacklers
• TB – Ronde Barber – 6 tackles, 1 assist
• TEN – Colin McCarthy – 7 tackles, 3 assists Tampa Bay and Tennessee combined for 9 turnovers on a rainy, sloppy afternoon. Chris Johnson ran for 190 yards, but Tampa Bay led 17–10 late in the fourth quarter.

Trailing 23–17, Josh Freeman drove Tampa Bay to the Tennessee 25-yard line in the final minute. Facing a 4th down and 1, Freeman tried a QB sneak, but fumbled the snap due to the wet ball. He was tackled for a loss, the Buccaneers turned the ball over on downs, and the Titans held on to win.

Week 13: vs. Carolina Panthers

First quarter

• Car – Newton 1-yard run (Mare kick), Car 7–0
• Car – Stewart 1-yard run (Mare kick), Car 14–0
• TB – Barth 50-yard field goal, Car 14–3 Second quarter
• TB – Barth 47-yard field goal, Car 14–6
• Car – Naanee 19-yard pass from Newton (Mare kick), Car 21–6
• TB – Barth 46-yard field goal, Car 21–9
• TB – Barth 44-yard field goal, Car 21–12
• Car – Mare 43-yard field goal, Car 24–12 Third quarter
• Car – Newton 1-yard run (Mare kick), Car 31–12 Fourth quarter
• Car – Newton 1-yard run (Mare kick), Car 38–12
• TB – Briscoe 23-yard pass from Johnson (Barth kick), Car 38–19 Top passers
• Car – Newton, 12-/21, 204 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions
• TB – Johnson, 16/27, 229 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception Top rushers
• Car – Stewart, 14 rushes, 80 yards, 1 touchdown
• TB – Johnson, 5 rushes, 45 yards Top receivers
• Car – LaFell, 4 for 31 yards
• TB – Williams, 5 for 93 yards Top tacklers
• Car – Godfrey, 7 tackles, 2 assists
• TB – Jones, 9 tackles, 1 assist

Josh Freeman sat out due to injury, and Josh Johnson started at quarterback. Tampa Bay wore their throwback uniforms, and honored Jimmie Giles at halftime. Cam Newton ran for three touchdowns (setting an NFL single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback) as Carolina routed Tampa Bay 38–19.

Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars

First quarter

• TB – Blount 1-yard touchdown run (Barth kick), TB 7–0 Second quarter
• TB – Freeman 13-yard touchdown run (Barth kick), TB 14–0
• JAX – Cloherty 8-yard fumble return (Scobee kick), TB 14–7
• JAX – Jones-Drew 1-yard touchdown run (Scobee kick), 14–14
• JAX – Collins fumble recovery in end zone (Scobee kick), JAX 21–14
• JAX – Jones-Drew 5-yard touchdown pass from Gabbert (Scobee kick), JAX 28–14 Third quarter
• None Fourth quarter
• JAX – Jones-Drew 5-yard TD pass from Gabbert (Scobee kick), JAX 35–14
• JAX – Jones-Drew 1-yard TD run (run failed), JAX 41–14 Top passers
• TB – Freeman, 16/30, 181 yards, 2 interceptions, 0 touchdowns
• JAX – Gabbert, 19/33, 217 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions Top rushers
• TB – Blount, 18 rushes, 74 yards
• JAX – Jones-Drew, 27 rushes, 85 yards Top receivers
• TB – Williams, 3 for 19 yards
• JAX – Jones-Drew, 6 for 51 yards, 2 touchdowns Top tacklers
• TB – Jackson, 7 tackles
• JAX – Allen, 6 tackles, 1 assist

Quarterback Josh Freeman returned to the lineup and Tampa Bay jumped out to a 14–0 lead in the first quarter. However, Jacksonville scored 41 unanswered points to win 41–14. Maurice Jones-Drew scored a franchise-best four touchdowns (two rushing, two passing).

Tampa Bay committed seven turnovers in the loss. In the second quarter, Preston Parker fumbled a punt return, which was recovered by Colin Cloherty for an 8-yard touchdown. With the score 14–7, Freeman was sacked at his own goal line, fumbled, and Nate Collins recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Four plays later, Freeman was intercepted, which led to another Jacksonville touchdown. The Jaguars scored 28 points in the second quarter in a span of only 7:32.

At 4–9, Tampa Bay clinched a losing season, and was officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Week 15: vs. Dallas Cowboys

First quarter

• Dal – Austin 8-yard touchdown pass from Romo (Bailey kick), Dal 7–0
• Dal – Bryant 8-yard touchdown pass from Romo (Bailey kick), Dal 14–0 Second quarter
• Dal – Robinson 9-yard touchdown pass from Romo (Bailey kick), Dal 21–0
• Dal – Romo 1-yard touchdown run (Bailey kick), Dal 28–0 Third quarter
• TB – Watson 7-yard fumble recovery return (Barth kick), Dal 28–7
• Dal – Bailey 30-yard field goal, Dal 31–7 Fourth quarter
• TB – Briscoe 13-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (pass successful), Dal 31–15 Top passers
• DAL – Romo, 23/30, 249 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
• TB – Freeman, 17/27, 148 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions Top rushers
• DAL – Jones, 22 rushes, 108 yards
• TB – Freeman, 4 rushes, 37 yards Top receivers
• DAL – Lumpkin 5 receptions, 50 yards
• TB – Austin, 5 receptions, 53 yards, 1 touchdown Top tacklers
• DAL – Scandrick – 5 tackles, 1 assist (1 sack)
• TB – Foster – 5 tackles, 3 assists Tampa Bay hosted Dallas on Saturday Night. Dallas jumped out to a 28–0 halftime lead. Tony Romo threw for three touchdown passes, and ran for another. The Buccaneers tried to rally, but fell far short, losing 31–15.

Week 16: at Carolina Panthers

First quarter

• Car – Williams 8-yard touchdown run (Mare kick), Car 7–0
• Car – Mare 21-yard field goal, 'Car 10–0 Second quarter
• TB – Benn 4-yard touchdown pass from Freeman (Barth kick), Car 10–7
• Car – LaFell 91-yard touchdown pass from Newton (Mare kick), Car 17–7
• TB – Barth 42-yard field goal, Car 17–10
• Car – Mare 19-yard field goal, Car 20–10 Third quarter
• Car – Williams 22-yard touchdown run (Mare kick), Car 27–10
• Car – Stewart 11-yard touchdown pass from Newton (Mare kick), Car 34–10
• Car – Newton 49-yard touchdown run (Mare kick), Car 41–10 Fourth quarter
• Car – Shockey 8-yard touchdown pass from Newton (Mare kick), Car 48–10
• TB – Freeman 1-yard touchdown run (pass failed), Car 48–16 Top passers
• TB – Freeman, 28/38, 274 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
• Car – Newton, 12/17, 171 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions Top rushers
• TB – Lumkin, 7 rushes for 24 yards
• Car – Stewart, 7 rushes for 88 yards Top receivers
• TB – Winslow, 6 catches for 63 yards
• Car – LaFell, 3 catches for 103 yards, 1 touchdown Top tacklers
• TB – Foster, 3 tackles, 3 assists
• Car – Senn, 8 tackles, 2 assists

On Christmas Eve, Cam Newton broke the NFL record for most rookie passing yards in a season. Carolina routed Tampa Bay for the second time this season, by a score of 48–16.

Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• TB –
• ATL – Top rushers
• TB –
• ATL – Top receivers
• TB –
• ATL – Top tacklers
• TB –
• ATL –

Atlanta jumped out to a 42–0 lead by the second quarter. Ronde Barber played in his franchise record 225th game, despite suffering an injured hand, for which he sat out the second half. With the loss, Tampa Bay ended the season with ten consecutive losses, finished with a record of 4–12, last in the NFC South, and head coach Raheem Morris was fired the next day.

Standings

Staff

Final roster

Awards and milestones

• Week 3: Ronde Barber — NFC Defensive Player of the Week |access-date=2011-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003182022/http://www2.tbo.com/sports/bucs/2011/sep/29/spnewso6-barber-earns-weekly-honors-ar-261413/ |archive-date=2011-10-03 |url-status=dead

Television blackouts

Preseason

Both of Tampa Bay's home preseason games were blacked out on local television because they failed to sell out prior to 72 hours before kickoff. |access-date=2011-08-22 |access-date=2011-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914063540/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/content/amid-tampa-bay-buccaneers-blackout-wtsp-ch-10-air-tape-delayed-thursday-preseason-game-three |archive-date=2011-09-14 |url-status=dead |access-date=2011-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010075134/http://www2.tbo.com/sports/sports/2011/aug/15/5/bucs-preseason-games-against-patriots-dolphins-bla-ar-250643/ |archive-date=2012-10-10 |url-status=dead The affiliates affected include WTSP in the Tampa/St. Pete market, WFTV in the Orlando market and WFTX in the Fort Myers area. The game was shown instead in tape delay. The game was aired live on WTLH in Tallahassee since it falls outside the designated 75-mile blackout radius.

Dating back to 2010, Tampa Bay has had four consecutive preseason home games blacked out.

Regular season

Tampa Bay's week 1 game against Detroit |access-date=2011-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010131546/http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/sep/09/bucs-blues-only-team-in-nfl-to-open-season-with-bl-ar-256472/ |archive-date=2012-10-10 |url-status=dead and week 3 game against Atlanta{{cite news |access-date=2011-09-27}} failed to sell out, and were blacked out locally. Tampa Bay was the only NFL team to face a blackout in week 1. The FOX affiliates affected were WTVT in the Tampa/St. Pete market and WOFL in Orlando.

Dating back to 2010, Tampa Bay had ten consecutive regular season home games blacked out. The blackout streak ended in week 4, when the Buccaneers hosted the Colts on Monday Night Football. |access-date=2011-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606192813/http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/sold-out-and-on-national-tv-rays-and-bucs-light-up-monday-night/1194912 |archive-date=2015-06-06 |url-status=dead The game was carried live on ESPN and simulcast on WFTS.

The blackouts returned in week 6 with the game against New Orleans. |access-date=2011-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016205516/http://www2.tbo.com/sports/breaking-news/2011/oct/13/5/bucs-game-against-saints-will-be-blacked-out-ar-271804/ |archive-date=2011-10-16 |url-status=dead Tampa Bay's week 7 game against Chicago in London was not subject to blackout, regardless of sellout status. |access-date=2011-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117072459/http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/qampa-theres-no-blackout-rule-for-bucs-home-game-in-england/1196125 |archive-date=2011-11-17 |url-status=dead The week 10 game against the Texans was blacked out, affecting WTSP and WKMG. The final blackout of the season occurred against Carolina in week 13. The final home game of the season against Dallas on December 17 sold out, and aired locally on NFL Network and simulcast on WTTA. |access-date=2011-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110053927/http://www2.tbo.com/sports/bucs/2011/nov/08/8/bucs-home-game-against-cowboys-sells-out-ar-301615/ |archive-date=2011-11-10 |url-status=dead

References

References

1. Battista, Judy. (April 18, 2011). "Lockout Could Jeopardize Game Set for London". The New York Times.
2. (August 16, 2011). "Bucs are "youngry"".
3. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/opp.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com: 2011 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics]
4. https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/29395/falcons-finale-gets-flexed Falcons' finale gets 'flexed'