This football game was supposed to be very exciting. It's a divisional game that featured players from other teams facing off against Lovie Smith. Also, the Buccaneers were looking for their first road win of the season in their first game on the road. The Lovie Smith and Devin Hester reunion was also talked about. Devin Hester was supposed to be signed by the Buccaneers and be the return man,but instead Hester chose the Atlanta Falcons over Lovie Smith and the Bucs. Come playing time, this wasn't the result the Buccaneers were hoping for. First, running back Doug Martin was ruled out and so was defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. All Martin and McCoy could do was be cheerleaders for this Buccaneers team. Those two certainly were missed and the Bucs certainly needed them tonight.
Lovie Smith had a history with Devin Hester and decided anyway to kick the opening kickoff to him. That mistake was made often throughout this game. It turned out much better when the punts were punted out of bounds instead of being kicked to him. Hester was looking to be the NFL's leading scorer in return touchdowns he needed just one. The beginning of this game the Falcons marched down the field for a touchdown. The Bucs however, simply had no answer. When the Bucs received the ball they were forced to punt it getting nothing on that series. Not even a first down.
That pattern would remain throughout the game for the Bucs. Meanwhile Atlanta was playing superbly. It seemed like every drive the Falcons scored. The Buccaneers though were the opposite. In the second quarter, Josh McCown injured his thumb and wouldn't return. Josh McCown had left the game with only having a few first downs. McCown also threw his fourth interception which led to an Atlanta touchdown. In the second quarter, Devin Hester would make history by passing Deion Sanders for the record of 20 return touchdowns. The Falcons would dominate the rest of the game. Backup quarterback Mike Glennon did a better job than McCown. The Buccaneers fans wanted Glennon into the game but, certainly not that way. Mike Glennon threw a touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson making it 56 to 7. Finally linebacker Danny Lansanah had a pick-six. Making it not the worst but the second worse loss in franchise history.
This game sounded like it was going to be the 1940 game between the Bears and the Redskins. That game was the largest blowout in NFL history with the Bears winning, 73 to nothing. The Tampa fans were scoreboard watching to make sure that didn't happen. Bobby Rainey had two fumbles. Atlanta fumbled it and Tampa recovered it and Tampa fumbled It back. That is how awful this game was played by Tampa.
Finally, some quarterback controversy could be happening up again despite Lovie Smith saying McCown will be the quarterback. Mike Glennon played much better and got some first downs in a row. He also made the offense better. Wait and see what happens with that.