TAMPA, Fla. — They did not intimidate, and they did not dominate.

In the big book of memorable defensive performances in Tampa Bay history, Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals will be several pages from the top.

And yet it was still a step forward.

A sign of life for a unit under siege.

The Bucs beat the Cardinals 20-17 on Sunday with the defense coming up with two critical takeaways and a handful of other splash plays. Maybe that sounds like tepid praise, but it was a world of difference from the past three weeks when Tampa Bay yielded an average of 35 points.

Antoine Winfield Jr. got an interception after a tipped ball by Jamel Dean, and Tykee Smith recovered a fumble caused by Logan Hall. The defense also got sacks from Yaya Diaby and Vita Vea, and outside linebacker Anthony Nelson made a critical stop on a fourth-down play in the fourth quarter.

And when the Cardinals had a chance to drive for a tying/winning score in the final two minutes, the defense stuffed them without allowing a first down.

Play of the day

What else could it be? Six years into his NFL career, Tristan Wirfs scored his first touchdown on a 2-yard pass from Baker Mayfield in the second quarter. Mayfield sold the play by focusing on the right side of the field before turning left where Wirfs was standing all alone after a brief block and then a casual stroll toward the end zone.

Game ball

His teammates missed him, the fans missed him and offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard really missed Bucky Irving. The second-year back returned after missing seven games with shoulder and ankle injuries, and the difference in the offense was noticeable. Irving’s slipperiness is a factor that gives defensive coordinators hives. He finished with 61 rushing yards and 20 receiving yards with one touchdown.

Keep an eye on

For the first time in a long while, the Bucs were relatively healthy. Ben Bredesen returned at guard, Irving was back in the huddle and Godwin had his best game since his ankle dislocation last season. With Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan apparently getting closer to returning to action, the Bucs offense could get a lot more dangerous by the end of December.

NFC South update

The Bucs may have maintained their half-game lead over Carolina, but don’t get too excited. While Tampa Bay struggled against a pedestrian Arizona team, the Panthers upset the Rams 31-28. It just reinforces how critical the Dec. 21 and Jan. 4 games against the resurgent Panthers will be for Tampa Bay.

Up next

Not sure of the technical term for this game, but I believe it is commonly referred to as a “bye”. The Bucs are playing the 2-10 Saints, who went into the weekend with the worst point differential in the NFC, the lowest-scoring offense in the conference and the No. 21 scoring defense.

____

©2025 Tampa Bay Times. Visit tampabay.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.