2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

Last updated

2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
Owner The Glazer family
General manager Jason Licht
Head coach Lovie Smith
Home field Raymond James Stadium
Results
Record2–14
Division place4th NFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers DT Gerald McCoy
Uniform
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Uniforms 2014.png

The 2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League (NFL). It was also the first season under head coach Lovie Smith, replacing Greg Schiano, who was fired at the end of the 2013 season. It was also the first season under general manager Jason Licht, following the departure of Mark Dominik, after a disappointing 2013 season. It also marked the first season under new ownership since 1994, after longtime owner Malcolm Glazer died on May 28, 2014. Glazer's sons took over team operations.

Contents

The Buccaneers tried to improve their record of 4–12 of last season, but failed after tying their number of losses when they lost to Carolina in Week 15. Following a 2–14 record, their worst since 1986, the Buccaneers finished last overall in the NFC and tied with the Titans for the worst record of the 2014 season, but was statistically (via a tiebreaker) last overall for the 2014 NFL season, thus earning the right to the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

The Buccaneers did not win a single home game in 2014, going 0–2 during the preseason and 0–8 in the regular season at Raymond James Stadium.

2014 draft class

2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
17 Mike Evans Wide receiver Texas A&M
238 Austin Seferian-Jenkins Tight end Washington
369 Charles Sims Running back West Virginia
4None — see draft trades below
5143 Kadeem Edwards Guard Tennessee State
149 Kevin Pamphile Offensive tackle Purdue
6185 Robert Herron Wide receiver Wyoming
7None — see draft trades below

Draft trades

Season summary

Offseason & preseason

Immediately after being named the new head coach, Lovie Smith began overhauling personnel. The primary goal was to reinstall the Tampa 2 defensive scheme that brought the club success during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Among the key cuts were Davin Joseph, [1] and Darrelle Revis. [2] Among the many new signings were quarterback Josh McCown, defensive end Michael Johnson and cornerback Alterraun Verner.

On August 26, the Buccaneers traded with New England for guard Logan Mankins. [3] The Buccaneers finished the preseason only 1–3, but were still picked by some media members to be much-improved, and to even be a wild card contender. [4] [5]

September

The Buccaneers started the Lovie Smith Era off on a low note, losing on opening day to Carolina, then losing in the last minute to the Rams in week 2. In week three, the team was humiliated on a nationally televised Thursday night game, 56–14 to division rival Atlanta. Smith stated afterwards he was "embarrassed" [6] by the performance, and said the loss was so terrible to the team, that it would "leave a scar." [6]

One week later, Mike Glennon started at quarterback, and Buccaneers bounced back in a big way. Tampa Bay defeated Pittsburgh, their first win of the season, with a last-second go-ahead touchdown pass.

October

Tampa Bay went winless in October, with Mike Glennon at quarterback. Two overtime losses, and one blowout loss to Baltimore dropped the Buccaneers to 1–6.

November

Mike Glennon was benched after losing to Cleveland, and Josh McCown was back in at quarterback. Tampa Bay managed to win against the Redskins, with help from a breakout game from Mike Evans. Despite only two wins, the Buccaneers were still mathematically alive for the division title through the end of November due to the lackluster records of the NFC South teams.

December

Tampa Bay ended the season on a six-game losing streak, going winless in December, to finish the season 2–14. In the final game of the season against New Orleans, the Buccaneers blew a lead in the fourth quarter, sitting some of their starters in the second half. But by virtue of the loss, the Buccaneers mathematically clinched the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, beating out the Tennessee Titans (who also went 2–14).

Staff

2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning


Final roster

2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

 Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

 Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserved

Rookies in italics
53 active, 11 reserved, 9 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1August 8at Jacksonville Jaguars L 10–160–1 EverBank Field Recap
2August 16 Miami Dolphins L 14–200–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap
3August 23at Buffalo Bills W 27–141–2 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
4August 28 Washington Redskins L 10–241–3 Raymond James Stadium Recap

Regular season

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1September 7 Carolina Panthers L 14–200–1 Raymond James Stadium Recap
2September 14 St. Louis Rams L 17–190–2Raymond James Stadium Recap
3September 18at Atlanta Falcons L 14–560–3 Georgia Dome Recap
4September 28at Pittsburgh Steelers W 27–241–3 Heinz Field Recap
5October 5at New Orleans Saints L 31–37 (OT)1–4 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
6October 12 Baltimore Ravens L 17–481–5Raymond James Stadium Recap
7 Bye
8October 26 Minnesota Vikings L 13–19 (OT)1–6Raymond James Stadium Recap
9November 2at Cleveland Browns L 17–221–7 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
10November 9 Atlanta Falcons L 17–271–8Raymond James Stadium Recap
11November 16at Washington Redskins W 27–72–8 FedExField Recap
12November 23at Chicago Bears L 13–212–9 Soldier Field Recap
13November 30 Cincinnati Bengals L 13–142–10Raymond James Stadium Recap
14December 7at Detroit Lions L 17–342–11 Ford Field Recap
15December 14at Carolina Panthers L 17–192–12 Bank of America Stadium Recap
16December 21 Green Bay Packers L 3–202–13Raymond James Stadium Recap
17December 28 New Orleans Saints L 20–232–14Raymond James Stadium Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week One: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers01001020
Buccaneers0001414

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

The first game for new head coach Lovie Smith was against division rival Carolina. A lackluster first three quarters saw the Panthers run out to a 17–0 lead, with Derek Anderson making his first start since 2010 in place of an injured Cam Newton. [7] In the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers rallied, scoring late two touchdowns, and trimming the lead to 17–14 with 2:06 remaining. The Bucs defense forced a 3 & Out, and Carolina punted, giving the ball back to the Bucs offense with just under two minutes to go. On the first play of the drive, however, Bobby Rainey's catch was fumbled away, and Carolina recovered.

Week 2: vs. St. Louis Rams

Week Two: St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rams733619
Buccaneers707317

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

St. Louis kicker Greg Zuerlein kicked a 38-yard field goal with 42 seconds remaining to take a 19–17 lead. On the ensuing drive, Tampa Bay quarterback Josh McCown completed a 19-yard pass to Bobby Rainey, then spiked the ball to stop the clock with 20 second left in regulation. McCown completed a 29-yard pass to Mike Evans at the St. Louis 32 yard line. As the team scurried to line up and spike the ball, A hesitant Evans was injured on the play. With no timeouts left, Tampa Bay was forced to accept a ten-second runoff penalty, and time expired.

Week 3: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Three: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Buccaneers0001414
Falcons211421056

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

Atlanta throttled the Buccaneers by the score of 56–14, tied for the second-most lopsided defeat in franchise history. The Falcons jumped out to a 56–0 lead by the third quarter, including Devin Hester's NFL-record 19th return touchdown. In the first half alone, the Falcons forced three turnovers, and held Tampa Bay to 63 yards offense and only two first downs.

Week 4: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Four: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Buccaneers10071027
Steelers1077024

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Game information

Tampa Bay won their first game of the season, as well as the first win for new head coach Lovie Smith. One week after a humiliating loss at Atlanta, the Buccaneers bounced back, and upset the Steelers, the first win in franchise history at Pittsburgh. Trailing 24–20 just inside the two-minute warning, Tampa Bay drove to the Pittsburgh 14 yard line. The Steelers forced a turnover on downs, and took over at their own 14. The Tampa Bay defense held the Steelers to a 3 and out, and forced a punt with 50 seconds left in regulation. Brad Wing's punt was high and short, and was downed inside Pittsburgh territory on the 46. Two plays later Mike Glennon, connected to Louis Murphy, who broke free for a 41-yard gain all the way to the 5 yard line. With 7 seconds left, Glennon completed the game-winning touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson in the left corner of the endzone.

Week 5: at New Orleans Saints

Week Five: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Buccaneers010147031
Saints67711637

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 73,004
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Mike Glennon passed for 249 yards and two touchdown passes, as the Buccaneers led the Saints 31–20 in the fourth quarter. New Orleans rallied to tie the game and force overtime. The Saints won the coin toss in overtime, and proceeded to score a touchdown on the first possession to win the game.

Week 6: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week Six: Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Ravens28107348
Buccaneers0010717

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw five touchdown passes in the first 17 minutes of regulation (setting a new NFL record), as Baltimore jumped out to a 38–0 halftime lead (also an NFL record for a road team). The Ravens handed Tampa Bay their second dominating loss of the season.

Week 8: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week Eight: Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Vikings0373619
Buccaneers00013013

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: October 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 56,577
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (Fox): Justin Kutcher, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Offensive futility plagued both teams in the first half, with Minnesota kicking a field goal as time expired in the second quarter to take a 3–0 lead into halftime. Trailing 10–6 in the fourth quarter, Mike Glennon threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Austin Seferian-Jenkins with 2:02 remaining in regulation. The Buccaneers briefly took a 13–10 lead, but the Vikings were able to tie the game at 13–13 and force overtime.

In the overtime period, Tampa Bay won the coin toss and received. On the first play from scrimmage in overtime, Austin Seferian-Jenkins caught a 10-yard pass at the 27 yard line, but fumbled the ball as he was tackled. Anthony Barr scooped up the ball and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown, and Minnesota won 19–13.

Week 9: at Cleveland Browns

Week Nine: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Buccaneers0107017
Browns367622

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: November 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 67,431
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Mike Evans caught two touchdown passes from Mike Glennon, as Tampa Bay led 17–16 in the fourth quarter. Cleveland scored with 8:59 remaining in regulation, and won the game by the score of 22–17. In the final two minutes, Tampa Bay drove to the Cleveland 28 yard line, but an offensive pass interference penalty pushed them back to the 47. Facing 4th down & 11, Glennon's pass was incomplete, and the Browns defeated Tampa Bay for the first time since 1995.

Week 10: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week Ten: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Falcons7631127
Buccaneers370717

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: November 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 57,751
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Josh McCown returned as the starting quarterback for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers led 17–16, but Atlanta scored a go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter and held on for the win. In the final two minutes, Tampa Bay drove to the Atlanta 4 yard line, but McCown's pass to Vincent Jackson was tipped and intercepted in the endzone, sealing the game for Atlanta.

Week 11: at Washington Redskins

Week Eleven: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Buccaneers1037727
Redskins07007

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: November 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 77,442
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Mike Evans had a breakout game, catching 7 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns (36 yards and 56 yards, respectively). Tampa Bay won their second game of the season.

Week 12: at Chicago Bears

Week Twelve: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Buccaneers0100313
Bears0021021

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 23
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 61,109
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Buccaneers blew a 10–0 halftime lead with three turnovers in the third quarter. The Bears scored two touchdowns off of turnovers, and a total of 21 points in the third quarter to take the lead and the win. This was head coach Lovie Smith's first return to Chicago since the Bears fired him following the 2012 season.

Week 13: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Thirteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bengals077014
Buccaneers370313

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: November 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 56,340
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots and Chris Fischer
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Trailing 14–13 in the closing seconds, Tampa Bay completed a 21-yard pass to the Bengals 20 yard line, but a replay showed they had 12 men on the field for the play. The penalty took the Buccaneers out of field goal range.

Week 14: at Detroit Lions

Week Fourteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Buccaneers0100717
Lions71010734

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: December 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,489
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Brady Quinn and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With the loss, the Buccaneers were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Week 15: at Carolina Panthers

Week Fifteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Buccaneers730717
Panthers637319

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 72,842
  • Referee: Ron Torbert
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Like the meeting in week 1, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was on the sidelines, this time due to injuries suffered in a car accident. Carolina swept the Buccaneers, using backup quarterbacks in both games.

Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week Sixteen: Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Packers7301020
Buccaneers03003

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 64,247
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Green Bay won for the first time at Raymond James Stadium since 2003, and for only the second time ever.

Week 17: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Seventeen: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Saints0701623
Buccaneers3170020

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Tampa Bay took a 20–7 lead into halftime, but New Orleans rallied for the victory. Drew Brees threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Marques Colston with 1:57 remaining. On the ensuing drive, the Saints defense sacked Josh McCown for a safety, and secured a 23–20 victory. The Saints swept Tampa Bay for the third straight season, and won their seventh overall in the rivalry. The Buccaneers, finishing 2–14, clinched the first pick in the 2015 NFL draft. The Bucs had also finished 0–8 at home. Finishing winless at home for the first time since 1976 and lost their 9th straight home game.

Standings

Division

NFC South
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(4) Carolina Panthers 781.4694–26–6339374W4
New Orleans Saints 790.4383–36–6401424W1
Atlanta Falcons 6100.3755–16–6381417L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2140.1250–61–11277410L6

Conference

NFC [8]
#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOVSTK
Division leaders
1 [lower-alpha 1] Seattle Seahawks West1240.7505–110–2.525.513W6
2 [lower-alpha 1] Green Bay Packers North1240.7505–19–3.482.440W2
3 [lower-alpha 1] Dallas Cowboys East1240.7504–28–4.445.422W4
4 Carolina Panthers South781.4694–26–6.490.357W4
Wild Cards
5 [lower-alpha 2] Arizona Cardinals West1150.6883–38–4.523.477L2
6 [lower-alpha 2] Detroit Lions North1150.6885–19–3.471.392L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Philadelphia Eagles East1060.6254–26–6.490.416W1
8 San Francisco 49ers West880.5002–47–5.527.508W1
9 [lower-alpha 3] New Orleans Saints South790.4383–36–6.486.415W1
10 [lower-alpha 3] Minnesota Vikings North790.4381–56–6.475.308W1
11 [lower-alpha 4] New York Giants East6100.3752–44–8.512.323L1
12 [lower-alpha 4] Atlanta Falcons South6100.3755–16–6.482.380L1
13 [lower-alpha 4] St. Louis Rams West6100.3752–44–8.531.427L3
14 Chicago Bears North5110.3131–54–8.529.338L5
15 Washington Redskins East4120.2502–42–10.496.422L1
16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South2140.1250–61–11.486.469L6
Tiebreakers [lower-alpha 5]
  1. 1 2 3 Seattle, Green Bay and Dallas were ranked in seeds 1–3 based on conference record.
  2. 1 2 Arizona defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 11, 14–6).
  3. 1 2 New Orleans defeated Minnesota head-to-head (Week 3, 20–9).
  4. 1 2 3 The NY Giants defeated both Atlanta and St. Louis head-to-head (Atlanta: Week 5, 30–20; St. Louis: Week 16, 37–27), while Atlanta finished ahead of St. Louis based on conference record.
  5. ↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

Notes

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    The 2018 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 53rd in the National Football League (NFL), their second playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and their fourth under head coach Dan Quinn. The Falcons attempted to be the first team to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium as an expected Super Bowl contender. However, the Falcons were riddled with injuries, losing 7 starters to IR with the Falcons stumbling to a 1–4 start.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Carolina Panthers season</span> 24th season in franchise history

    The 2018 season was the Carolina Panthers' 24th in the National Football League (NFL) and their eighth under head coach Ron Rivera. It was the team's first season without former assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who became head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason and former offensive coordinator Mike Shula, who became the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator of the New York Giants.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 New Orleans Saints season</span> NFL team season

    The 2018 season was the New Orleans Saints' 52nd in the National Football League (NFL), their 43rd at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and their 12th under head coach Sean Payton.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season</span> NFL team season

    The 2018 season was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 43rd in the National Football League (NFL), their fifth under the leadership of general manager Jason Licht, their 21st playing their home games at Raymond James Stadium and their third and final under head coach Dirk Koetter.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season</span> NFL team season

    The 2019 season was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 44th in the National Football League (NFL), their sixth under the leadership of general manager Jason Licht, their 22nd playing their home games at Raymond James Stadium and their first under head coach Bruce Arians. Despite improving on their 5–11 record from 2018 with a Week 14 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, the Buccaneers missed the playoffs for the twelfth consecutive season, which meant the Buccaneers were one of two teams to not qualify for the postseason in the 2010s, with the other team being the Cleveland Browns.

    References

    1. ↑ Bucs release Davin Joseph
    2. ↑ Bucs release CB Darrelle Revis
    3. ↑ Pats trade Logan Mankins to Bucs
    4. ↑ "USA TODAY Sports' 2014 predictions for Super Bowl, MVP and more". USA Today. September 4, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
    5. ↑ "The MMQB's 2014 Predictions Extravaganza". SI.com. September 2, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
    6. 1 2 Patra, Kevin (September 19, 2014). "Lovie Smith 'embarrassed' by loss that will leave 'scar'". NFL.com. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
    7. ↑ "Panthers QB Newton out vs. Buccaneers". September 7, 2014.
    8. ↑ "2014 Conference Standings". NFL.com. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
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