The Bucs made it into the postseason, getting the No. 3 seed after beating the Saints 27-19 in Week 18 to win the NFC South. That allowed them to play another January home game, with much more on the line in a win-or-go-home scenario.

Coming into the game, the only way they would come away with a victory meant stopping Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who made life difficult for Tampa Bay’s defense in his ability to extend plays.

Ultimately, the Bucs’ season ended after losing a close one to the Commanders, 23-20. Sadly, this ends my weekly editions of the most impressive and disappointing players after each game. With that, here is what was most disappointing as the team heads into the offseason.

Getting Off The Field

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels – Photo by: USA Today

It’s hard to score points offensively when the Bucs’ defense stayed on the field for most of the first half, and really the whole game. After the Commanders went on a long 17-play, 92-yard touchdown drive which took up over nine minutes of the clock, Tampa Bay’s offense took the field and went three-and-out. Washington then went on another 11-play drive that took over five minutes as they extended their lead to 10-3.

Head coach Todd Bowles’ defense had no answers in getting a stop defensively no matter how hard they tried. It was not that they necessarily played badly and gave up chunk plays, but it was more so a death by a thousand paper cuts as they chipped away for short gains.

That affected any chance at building momentum for much of the first half until the offense finally got the ball back for a two-minute drill. They allowed just 4.9 yards per play before the halftime break, but they also allowed their opponent to convert five of eight third downs. Ultimately, that allowed the Commanders to go 11 for 20 on third and fourth downs, which was the main reason the Bucs’ season ended on Sunday night.

The Bucs’ Pass Rush

The more games that are played with the current player personnel and coaching staff, the more pronounced the need is to address and revamp the Bucs’ pass rush. Simply put, they are not getting it done with what they have in the building.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Photo by: USA Today

Granted, chasing and taking down Jayden Daniels is not easy as his bread and butter is eluding defenders, but that is no excuse and they had plenty of chances. The only sack in this one was when Lavonte David chased him down for a 0-yard sack, but when it came to bringing him down in the pocket, they could not execute.

The blame for this goes to the inside and outside pass rush, especially considering that they blitzed Daniels often. Guys failed to wrap him up, and Calijah Kancey had a handful of chances to do so, including late in the game when he scrambled to pick up just enough for what would be the first down to put the nail in the coffin.

Daniels still bought time and seemed unbothered by whatever was thrown at him, and Tampa Bay’s defense needs a pass-rushing difference-maker who can be a true disruptor.

CB Josh Hayes

Guarding Terry McLaurin is a tough draw for anyone, and Jamel Dean gave up a few big plays to the Pro Bowl wide receiver before leaving the game with a knee injury. Josh Hayes was then thrust into action and responsible for covering him, but that plan backfired as Jayden Daniels found him in the back of the end zone for a touchdown on fourth-and-2 as the Commanders got the lead back at that point 20-17.

It has been evident this season that Hayes has a hard time in coverage, especially when drawing tougher assignments. With just over three minutes left and on a key third-and-6, the second-year cornerback drew Dyami Brown, who got open across the middle and got 21 yards to move the chains, eat up the clock, and put them in position to win the game with a late score. This was another example of him being overmatched and unable to positively impact the game when on the field.