In a game where the Bucs couldn’t find any rhythm on offense, the kicking game also drew the ire of head coach Bruce Arians. During a 9-0 loss to the Saints, kicker Ryan Succop missed a field goal from 45 yards out. Meanwhile, punter Bradley Pinion struggled to find consistency with his kicks. The veteran punter made a costly mistake in the fourth quarter, managing just a 30-yard boot from his own 36. The short kick gave the Saints great field position to extend their lead to 9-0.

Arians was very vocal about the performance of his kickers after the loss.

“Our kicking game, our kickers let us down also,” Arians said.  “Between the offense and the kicking game, it cost us the game.”

Bucs P Bradley Pinion – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

After having time to watch the film, Arians doubled down on that statement. He even mentioned it as one of the things that concerned him most in the Bucs loss.

“Kickers,” Arians said. “Our punter and our kicker. Both have to do a better job and be accountable. They’re both very talented, and games like that you can’t miss field goals and punt poorly. And we did that.”

Succop has the 6th-highest cap hit among all kickers. His 81 percent made field goal percentage ranks 26th in the NFL. Succop has missed just four field goals, but only attempted 21. Pinion has the ninth-highest cap hit among all punters, but is 34th in net yards per punt this season.