Photo by Kendall Bulkiewicz | The Crow’s Nest
By the Crow’s Nest Staff
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers successfully held off a late push from the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 30, grinding out a 20–17 win in what became a battle of field position and defensive stops.
Both teams started slowly, trading punts throughout a scoreless first quarter. Tampa Bay derailed Arizona’s best early chance with an interception in the red zone, ending an 11-play, 73-yard Cardinals drive that spanned nearly seven minutes.
The Buccaneers finally broke through midway through the second quarter. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield guided a 63-yard drive over 10 plays, setting up Chase McLaughlin’s 25-yard field goal to give Tampa Bay a 3–0 lead. After forcing a three-and-out, Mayfield marched the offense back down the field, finishing a 10-play, 50-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, who reported eligible on the play. McLaughlin’s extra point pushed the Buccaneers ahead 10–0.
Arizona responded just before halftime, moving 43 yards in eight plays to set up Chad Ryland’s 52-yard field goal as time expired, trimming the Buccaneers’ lead to 10–3 at the break.
During halftime, Tampa Bay honored franchise legend Simeon Rice, becoming the 16th inductee to the Ring of Honor. He is one of five defensive players from the team’s 2002 Super Bowl championship roster to achieve the recognition. Rice’s name, along with his number 97, is now displayed on the east side at Raymond James Stadium.
Opening the third quarter, the Cardinals had a brief spark but quickly lost the ball on a fumble. Tampa Bay couldn’t capitalize and was forced to punt, and Arizona’s next drive stalled with a missed field goal. The Buccaneers answered with their most efficient possession of the afternoon, a seven-play, 67-yard march capped by running back Bucky Irving’s 13-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 17–3 with 3:56 left in the third.
Arizona immediately countered, covering 72 yards in six plays as Cardinals’ quarterback Jacoby Brissett connected with Bam Knight for a 15-yard touchdown, cutting the margin to 17–10 heading into the fourth.
Early in the final quarter, Tampa Bay’s defense stepped up again by forcing a turnover on downs. With a short field, the offense gained just enough ground for McLaughlin to drill a 57-yard field goal, pushing the Buccaneers’ lead to 20–10 with 8:58 remaining.
But Arizona refused to go away. Brissett led a nine-play, 73-yard drive, ending with a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Trey McBride to make it a 20–17 game with five minutes left.
After the Buccaneers punted, the Cardinals had one final opportunity to tie or take the lead. Instead, Tampa Bay’s defense shut the door, forcing another turnover on downs after just four plays.
This win keeps Tampa Bay locked in with the division-leading Carolina Panthers for the NFC South title, setting up a crucial December stretch as the playoff picture tightens.
The Buccaneers return to action on Dec. 7, hosting the New Orleans Saints at 1:00 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium.
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Written by: Kendall Bulkiewicz on December 4, 2025.
Last revised by: Julia Ferrara
