Written by AP at Fox Sports.com
Right after cutting Minnesota’s lead to two touchdowns, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers forced the Vikings into their only three-and-out of the game.
The window for a rally was still open early in the fourth quarter, until it slammed shut with an errant pass by Jameis Winston.
Andrew Sendejo picked it off and returned it 36 yards to the Buccaneers 35, setting up a field goal that gave the Vikings a three-score lead.
The momentum was gone, and Mike Evans was mad.
The star wide receiver stomped around on the sideline before kicking a water bottle and shoving over a towel cart . After a commanding victory over the Bears in Chicago to start their season, the Buccaneers took several steps backward in a 34-17 defeat on Sunday by the Vikings .
The frustration was evident.
”I can’t do that. I’m a captain. I got to fight my emotions better than that,” Evans said. ”Playing with passion is cool, but I’ve got to fight my emotions better than that, and I’ve got to understand it’s just one game. I wanted this one bad.”
Evans, who was shadowed by Pro Bowl cornerback Xavier Rhodes, had a quiet seven catches for 67 yards. DeSean Jackson, the intended target on the pass Sendejo intercepted, had four receptions for 84 yards and one touchdown. But the Buccaneers (1-1) were playing from behind from the start.
Winston went 28 for 40 for 328 yards, but he was picked off three times, twice in the end zone.
”I make the final decision on where the ball goes, and I’ve got to protect the football at all costs no matter what they do,” Winston said.
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