The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosted the Tennessee Titans on August 9, 2025, in Preseason Week 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won the game 29–7, and it was not just the score that told the story the player stats showed exactly why Tampa Bay was the better team on that night.
Whether you follow the NFL closely or just want to understand what happened, this article breaks down the key player numbers in a simple and clear way.
Game Overview
The Buccaneers started strong and never really let the Titans back into the game. Tampa Bay built a 10–0 lead in the first quarter and controlled the ball for most of the game, running 22 plays while Tennessee ran only a handful during that same period.
By the end of the game, the final numbers told the full story:
Total Yards: Tampa Bay 348 vs Tennessee 201
First Downs: Tampa Bay 20 vs Tennessee 11
Turnovers: Tampa Bay 1 vs Tennessee 3
Time of Possession: Tampa Bay 34:59 vs Tennessee 25:01
Tennessee gave the ball away three times, and Tampa Bay made them pay for it each time.
Quarterback Stats: Trask Outperforms Ward
Kyle Trask Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kyle Trask had a solid night for the Buccaneers. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 129 yards, showing good accuracy and smart decision-making. He moved the offense well, converted third downs, and kept drives alive throughout the game.
What stood out most was how quickly he got the ball out. He was not sacked and did not force bad throws. For a quarterback trying to prove himself in the preseason, it was a confident display.
Cam Ward Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward, the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, played two full series for Tennessee. He completed 5 of 8 passes for 67 yards and led his team’s only touchdown drive of the night an impressive 11-play, 65-yard drive that finished with a 1-yard touchdown run by Tony Pollard.
Ward showed great composure. He connected three times with Calvin Ridley on that TD drive, including a 27-yard completion and a 13-yard gain into Buccaneers territory. He had no turnovers and was not sacked during his time on the field. For a rookie in his first NFL game, that was a very encouraging start.
Running Back Stats: Wright Does the Damage
O. Wright Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay’s running back had the best rushing performance of the night. Wright carried the ball 18 times for 87 yards and 1 touchdown. His running gave the Buccaneers balance and helped them eat up the clock, keeping the Titans offense on the sideline for long stretches.
K. Mullings Tennessee Titans
Tennessee’s top rusher managed 33 yards on 7 carries. It was a quiet night on the ground for the Titans, which made it harder for their offense to find any rhythm.
Tony Pollard scored Tennessee’s only touchdown, punching the ball in from 1 yard out at the end of Ward’s strong TD drive.
Wide Receiver Highlights
R. Miller Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Miller was the top receiver for Tampa Bay, catching 6 passes for 66 yards. He was consistent all night and helped move the chains on multiple drives. His ability to get open on short and medium routes made life easier for Trask.
Calvin Ridley Tennessee Titans
Ridley was Ward’s go-to option during the rookie’s two series. He caught 3 passes for 50 yards, all of them on the TD drive. His ability to get open quickly helped Ward look comfortable in his very first NFL action.
Defensive Stats: Tampa Bay’s Defense Shines
The Buccaneers’ defense was a big reason why Tennessee struggled all night. The Titans turned the ball over three times, and Tampa Bay converted those mistakes into real points.
One of the standout plays of the game came when R. Parodie intercepted a pass at the Tennessee 39-yard line and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown. That was one of the game’s most exciting moments and a real punch to the Titans’ confidence.
On the Tennessee side, linebacker N. Jackson recorded 1 sack and 6 solo tackles, showing he can be a disruptive force. T. Horne also contributed with 3 solo tackles for the Titans defense.
Why Tampa Bay Won This Game
The numbers show three clear reasons why the Buccaneers dominated:
- Turnover advantage Tampa Bay forced 3 turnovers and only gave it away once. In football, turnovers almost always decide close games and this one was not close because of them.
- Time of possession The Buccaneers held the ball for nearly 10 more minutes than Tennessee. More time with the ball means fewer chances for your opponent to score.
- Efficiency Tampa Bay converted 7 of 16 third downs while Tennessee only converted 5 of 13. That means Tampa Bay kept more drives alive and put more pressure on the Titans defense.
These are not just preseason numbers. They reflect a team that was better prepared and more disciplined on that particular night.
What This Game Means Going Forward
For the Buccaneers, this was a positive start to the preseason. Kyle Trask showed he can manage an offense well under pressure, and the defense proved it could create turnovers and even score points on its own.
For the Titans, the Cam Ward story is the most interesting takeaway. Yes, the team lost by a big margin but Ward looked calm, smart, and accurate in his two series. Titans fans now have a real reason to feel hopeful about their young quarterback’s future in Nashville.
Tennessee moved on to face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2 of the preseason. Tampa Bay traveled to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers. Both teams had things to fix but the foundation for both sides was clear to see.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Q1. What was the final score of the Buccaneers vs Titans preseason game in 2025?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 29–7 against the Tennessee Titans on August 9, 2025, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Q2. How did Cam Ward perform in his first NFL game?
Cam Ward completed 5 of 8 passes for 67 yards and led a 65-yard touchdown drive. He had zero turnovers and was not sacked a very encouraging debut for the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Q3. Who scored touchdowns in the Buccaneers vs Titans game?
Tony Pollard scored for the Titans with a 1-yard run. R. Parodie scored a pick-six for the Buccaneers after a 39-yard interception return, and O. Wright added a rushing touchdown for Tampa Bay.
Q4. Which wide receiver had the most yards in this game?
R. Miller of the Buccaneers led all receivers with 6 catches for 66 yards. Calvin Ridley of the Titans had 3 catches for 50 yards, all coming on Tennessee’s only scoring drive.
Q5. Was this a regular season or preseason game?
This was a preseason game Preseason Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. Stats count for player evaluation but do not affect the regular season standings.
Read Also: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Rams Player Stats: Rams Win 34-7 in Week 12 (November 23, 2025)
