Monday, 4 a.m.
Maybe what Jameis Winston really needs is this.
He needs a shot at the Bucs' defensive backs.
The Tampa Bay secondary, which has already lost this year to rookie Daniel Jones and backups Kyle Allen and Ryan Tannehill, were helpless against Seattle's Russell Wilson Sunday. The Bucs secondary rarely challenged on a reception, spending most of a 40-34 overtime loss on their heels.
Wilson ended up hitting 29 of 43 passes and five touchdowns Sunday. He threw for 378 yards, including 70 on the game-winning drive in overtime.
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Wilson threw for 152 yards to Tyrone Lockett and 123 yards to D.K. Metcalf.
Bucs' coach Bruce Arians had a different take on it. He said he was pleased with the way the young Bucs played even though the Bucs surrendered 492 yards.
"Tough one," said Arians, "I’m not used to losing here. Really, really proud of our guys. At one time we had six rookies on defense and we were fighting our asses off. This was (the first) NFL game for some of them, they got broken in pretty good.
In other words, the Bucs' secondary was outplayed by Wilson, who showed why he's been in the conversation for league MVP. The Bucs didn't stand a chance against his precision.
Oh, the Bucs gave it a shot with one of their best games of the year. Jameis Winston hit 29 of 44 for 335 yards. He did lose a fumble in the fourth quarter that led to three Seattle points.
"I think it was his best game of the season," said Arians. "Offensively, I don’t think we could have played much better, couple of third downs, maybe."
The Bucs never got the ball in overtime.
“That’s the thing," Arians said. "Every time in overtime you want that ball, and I’ve had some doozies with these guys before and I thought we had them stopped and they made a really good third down conversion.”
Rookie Jamel Dean had a tough afternoon for the Bucs. He played because Carlton Davis III was injured in pregame.
“He made some good plays, he made some bad plays," Arians said. "It was a big learning experience, it was the most he played, just physically being tired. I thought Sean Murphy-Bunting ha’s been growing and growing. I thought this was a good for Jamel. Mike Edwards got out there and got some snaps. The growth is good.”
Winston hit Mike Evans 12 times for 180 yards, his third 180-yard day of the season.
Overall, Arians sounded pleased.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt," Arians said. "I’m really really proud of this group. Carlton’s injury throws a young guy out there, and like I said, when you’re playing with six rookies on defense, there were snaps out there and they held their own. It’s a bright future, yeah we’re pissed off about a losing a game that went to overtime that we thought we should win like last week, but I see the growth, I see us getting better.
"They’re really pissed because it’s like two weeks in a row and they worked hard in practice this week and it showed in this game. I can’t ask anymore of these guys, can’t be more prouder of them.”
The Bucs finally return home Sunday to face Arizona at 1 p.m.
The Bucs are now 2-6 on the season.
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