Tom Brady’s injured thumb isn’t having any effect Thursday night. He went 5-for-6 for 59 yards and a touchdown on the Bucs’ first drive.
Tampa Bay took the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes, 34 seconds.
Brady capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end O.J. Howard, who is seeing more time in Rob Gronkowski’s absence.
It was Howard’s first touchdown since Week 4 of last season when he caught a 28-yarder from Brady against the Chargers.
Chris Godwin caught two passes for 26 yards and Mike Evans one for 22.
The Bucs converted their only third down on a 10-yard pass from Brady to Godwin. Leonard Fournette rushed for 16 yards on four carries in the opening drive.