Well, the Bucs won the NFC South. To do so, it was far from a pretty effort and it was not the kind of convincing win the team wanted to close out the regular season. It was a sluggish effort on offense and they only remained in the game because they were facing the 2-14 Panthers.

Alas, Tampa Bay defeated the lowly Carolina squad 9-0 to finish the regular season at 9-8 and guarantee themselves a playoff spot. Still, much will need to be corrected before the team gears up for a playoff run. Here is what was most disappointing during Sunday afternoon’s game.

Bucs’ First Quarter Offense

Going up against the Panthers, the Bucs had the chance to put some points on the board early to take momentum, but failed to. On the opening drive, Tampa Bay had a couple of first downs before stalling out. That meant they officially failed to score an opening-drive touchdown all season.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

On their next drive, things were moving with Rachaad White getting some touches. Things opened up on 3rd & 5 as Mike Evans was wide open down the field, but Baker Mayfield just missed him on what could have been a tone-setting play. Instead, it only exacerbated the season-long struggles the team has had.

Lastly, with a third chance to put something together in the opening quarter, it was another disappointing outcome. Baker Mayfield missed Mike Evans deep on 1st & 15 when he had Chase Edmonds open underneath for a potential big gain. Then, what followed was a Trey Palmer fumble (recovered by Robert Hainsey) and a sack of Mayfield on third down.

All those ingredients combined to form the recipe for a very underwhelming start, which was the theme throughout most of the first half for the Bucs.

QB Baker Mayfield

Was his rib injury a factor in his struggles, or was it simply just a bad performance by Baker Mayfield?

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

In the first half, Mayfield was forcing his throws and was fortunate to not have a handful of interceptions. His passes were broken up, and he averaged just 3.6 yards per throw in the first half. It was a combination of poor decision-making and missing some guys who were open underneath.

The deep ball was not there, and the only time the offense started moving was when Mayfield was favoring short passes. The Bucs’ offensive weapons did what they could and could only do so much to create separation and get open.

It simply did not equate to results.

It was not the kind of performance Baker Mayfield wanted to have with so much on the line against a team that unceremoniously dumped him mid-season last year. He finished the game just 20-of-32 for 137 passing yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. All eyes will be on his injury status before the team’s playoff game next weekend.

OC Dave Canales

Baker Mayfield is not the only cog of the offense to blame. That extends to offensive coordinator Dave Canales. The first-year play-caller’s playbook was perhaps limited by Mayfield’s health, but his calls also limited the success of the Bucs’ offense.

In particular, one play stood out. On a 2nd & 10 in the first half, Canales called a run play out of shotgun with Chase Edmonds in the game. On the play, Edmonds was eaten up for a six-yard loss, nearly pushing them out of field goal range. If it was not for Chase “Money” McLaughlin’s cannon of a right leg, the first half ends with it being a 3-0 game.

It was a questionable call given that the Bucs were in better range to score, and on the day the offense was far too conservative with the ball after failing to connect on some early deep balls. The Bucs outgained the Panthers just 228-199 in total yards, and it was far from the kind of offensive day the team imagined heading into the postseason.

After a hot stretch highlighted by scoring over 30 points in wins against the Packers and Jaguars, the Bucs have averaged just 11 points over their last two games. Canales will have to dial up better ways to allow Mayfield to have success finding his playmakers on offense.

OLB Shaq Barrett

It was not a good return for Shaq Barrett on Sunday. Coming back from his groin injury, Barrett did not fare too well while other Bucs pass rushers shined. Early on, the veteran pass rusher was called for a neutral zone infraction, and he fumbled the chance at a big play later in the game. Barrett had a chance at a sack on quarterback Bryce Young, but he failed to bring him down or even attempt diving as Young scrambled upfield for a 20-yard gain.

This game capped off what was an overall disappointing 2023 regular season for Shaq Barrett. He finished the year with just 4.5 sacks and it unfortunately appears his play has taken a step back from the great heights of 2019-2021.

C Robert Hainsey

Another player worth highlighting on offense is Bucs center Robert Hainsey. Hainsey struggled on the day, having to face defensive tackle Derrick Brown. There were a few instances of him getting pushed back by the Panthers’ star interior defensive lineman, which again drives home the point that the Bucs should look at upgrading the center position over the offseason.