A provision in the now expired collective bargaining agreement ensured that the draft still take place, despite the current lockout and lack of a new CBA.
Detroit scored two touchdowns in the second quarter, and led Tampa Bay 27–13 late in the game.
Josh Freeman suffered through some cramping issues, but rallied the Buccaneers to score a touchdown with under four minutes remaining.
Freeman drove Tampa Bay to the Lions 42-yard line in the closings seconds, but they were unable to score.
In the final four minutes, Josh Freeman drove the Buccaneers 61 yards in 9 plays, capped off by a game-winning 4-yard touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount with 35 seconds remaining.
Josh Freeman and the Buccaneers lined up for the fourth down play, and the Falcons flinched on the hard count.
The Falcons were penalized 5 yards for Offsides, the Buccaneers received a first down, and were able to run the clock out the secure the victory.
Tampa Bay snapped a 5-game losing streak to their division rivals, and coach Raheem Morris won his first game against Atlanta.
Late in the first quarter, Freeman connected to Arrelious Benn, who ran 62 yards for an apparent touchdown.
In the final three minutes, Tampa Bay ran out the clock, including a "4th & Inches" quarterback sneak by Freeman, to seal the victory.
This MNF telecast was notable in that Hank Williams, Jr.'s "All My Rowdy Friends" opening was omitted due to comments he made on Fox & Friends earlier in the day where he compared a golf outing involving Barack Obama, John Boehner, Joe Biden, and John Kasich to "Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu.
Josh Freeman threw two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), as Tampa Bay was routed 48–3 at San Francisco.
Josh Freeman threw for 303 yards and two touchdown passes, as Tampa Bay rebounded from the previous week, and beat divisional rival New Orleans by a score of 26–20.
Drew Brees threw three interceptions, and the Saints lost a fumble, and Tampa Bay scored 10 points off of turnovers.
Trailing 26–20 midway through the fourth quarter, Brees drove the Saints to the Tampa Bay 4-yard line.
Tampa Bay hosted Chicago at Wembley Stadium in London, England, their second time participating in the NFL International Series.
Josh Freeman threw four interceptions, and Tampa Bay lost one fumble for five total turnovers.
Freeman drove the Buccaneers to the Chicago 39-yard line, but the comeback was thwarted when he was intercepted with 37 seconds left.
Third-string running back Kregg Lumpkin was left to handle rushing duties, but managed only 15 yards.
On the first play of the game, Matt Schaub completed a pass to Jacoby Jones, who proceeded to go for an 80-yard touchdown.
Chris Johnson ran for 190 yards, but Tampa Bay led 17–10 late in the fourth quarter.
Trailing 23–17, Josh Freeman drove Tampa Bay to the Tennessee 25-yard line in the final minute.
In the second quarter, Preston Parker fumbled a punt return, which was recovered by Colin Cloherty for an 8-yard touchdown.
With the score 14–7, Freeman was sacked at his own goal line, fumbled, and Nate Collins recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
On Christmas Eve, Cam Newton broke the NFL record for most rookie passing yards in a season.
Ronde Barber played in his franchise record 225th game, despite suffering an injured hand, for which he sat out the second half.
Dating back to 2010, Tampa Bay had ten consecutive regular season home games blacked out.
The final home game of the season against Dallas on December 17 sold out, and aired locally on NFL Network and simulcast on WTTA.