Patrick Murray on winning kick: ‘I knew I was going to make it’
Greg Auman, Tampa Bay Times, published 20 November 2017

Patrick Murray has been so consistent since taking over as the Bucs’ kicker that he had no doubt when called upon to make a go-ahead field goal with four seconds left in Sunday’s win. Ryan Fitzpatrick completed three passes for 55 yards in the final three minutes, and Murray made good on his 35-yard kick to break a 20-all tie.

"I take every kick the same, doesn’t matter the situation of the game," Murray said. "Going out on that field after Fitz and the offense drove down there and they did a terrific job, I knew I was going to make it. I knew it was going to go right down the middle; I just had a feeling and it was right."

Murray is now 10-for-12 on field goals this season — he was 3-for-4 Sunday with a 42-yard miss — and a perfect 8-for-8 on extra points. "Pat’s solid. We came in as rookies together — he was solid then," WR Mike Evans said. "He’s a great kicker, and I’m glad we got him back."

BONUS TOUCHDOWN
After Murray’s kick, the Bucs still had to kick off to the Dolphins and avoid a last-play meltdown. They did that and then some, as the Dolphins attempted two laterals, then fumbled into the end zone, where LB Adarius Glanton fell on the loose ball for his first NFL touchdown.

"We practice that every week. We talk about it — we’re aware of what could happen," Glanton said. "It came down to that, and we were confident going out there and executing."

Glanton’s last touchdown came in 2012, as a junior at Florida Atlantic, intercepting a Georgia pass and returning it 42 yards for a touchdown at the end of a 56-20 loss. This one meant a little bit more. "It’s great to be able to end the game, and nice to get into the end zone," he said. "Everybody always wants that."

BIG-PLAY DEFENSE
The Bucs gave up 448 yards to Miami — half on four plays, all 45 yards or longer. They had allowed a play that long in only one other game this season — three of them in the loss at Minnesota. Dolphins WR Kenny Still had seven catches for 180 yards, third-most ever by a Bucs opponent. Giants WR Hakeem Nicks has the record with 199 in a 2012 game.

The Bucs didn’t allow a third-down conversion in the first half, getting two interceptions from Jay Cutler. In the second half, Matt Moore went 6-for-9 for 203 yards, converting six third downs where Miami needed 8 yards or more.

THIS AND THAT
T.J. Ward started at safety for the first time ahead of Chris Conte, though both finished with three tackles. … RB Doug Martin continues to struggle to run the ball consistently, getting 38 yards on 19 carries. Only once in the NFL this season has a back had that many carries and averaged 2.0 yards or fewer; Adrian Peterson had 21 carries for 29 yards against Seattle. … OL Evan Smith left the game with a concussion. … The Bucs defense didn’t show much in the second half, but it stopped Miami on fourth and 1 at its 34, clinging to a 20-13 lead. "We just played assignment football: be where you’re supposed to be," said DT Chris Baker, who made the tackle with LB Lavonte David.