The Bucs were stunned in their 23-17 overtime loss to the Browns on Sunday. Poor execution, and even more so poor coaching, led to the Bucs’ sixth loss of the year and put them back under .500. To add to the loss, it appears right tackle Tristan Wirfs will miss a significant amount of time after suffering a gruesome leg injury during overtime.

Here’s what and who stood out as most disappointing from Tampa Bay’s loss:

Run Defense

Browns RB Nick Chubb, Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and S Mike Edwards – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs let up 50 yards on the ground on the Browns first drive of the game on their way to giving up 104 rushing yards in the first half. The let Cleveland consistently pick up first downs on the ground through Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt and Jacoby Brissett. Chubb went over 100 yards on the day and punched in the winning touchdown in overtime. The Browns finished the game with 189 rushing yards.

Short Yardage Situations

The Bucs were yet again stifled in short yardage situations, going 2-of-5 on the day. The first was an incomplete pass that was knocked down at the line on 3rd & 2. Cameron Brate was wide open on the play had it been completed. Later, on a 3rd & 1, Rachaad White was dropped for a loss. Brady did, however, convert a 4th & 1 before the half on a quarterback sneak. The Bucs got their second conversion on a 3rd & 3 catch from Chris Godwin before failing on later attempts with a run by White and pass intended for Mike Evans.

Game Management

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The decision making from Tampa Bay’s coaching staff continued to puzzle on Sunday afternoon. Facing a 4th & 2 with a 17-10 lead in the fourth quarter, Todd Bowles decided to take a delay of game penalty at the Browns’ 37-yard line instead of going for it. After a Jake Camarda touchback, the play resulted in just a 22-yard differential.

Later in the game, the Bucs went three-and-out on back-to-back possessions,  burning just one minute and 43 seconds off the clock. To make matters worse, after the Bucs let up the tying score, Bowles failed to use timeouts on the final drive. That allowed the clock to run down, limiting the offense’s chances to get into field goal range.

Play Calling

Bucs OC Byron Leftwich – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

After an impressive opening drive, the Bucs’ play calling regressed for the rest of the first half. Brady attempted just nine passes after the opening drive, finishing the first 30 minutes just 12-of-15. Byron Leftwich continued to call runs on first down that put the offense in obvious passing situations, which the Browns were prepared for.

The second half didn’t get much better as the first-down runs and screen passes continued. Brady did his best to pick up chunk yardage when passes were called to sustain drives, but it’s clear this offense is what it is at this point. The Bucs, when in no huddle, are one of the best in the league. Yet the coaching staff refuses to play to the team’s strengths.

Third Down Execution

The Bucs went three-and-out seven times in their overtime loss to the Browns. Leftwich’s stubbornness to call first down runs and screens continuously set the offense up in disadvantageous positions on third down. Brady also missed on several throws to add to the offense’s ineptitude to convert on third down.

Donovan Smith

Bucs LT Donovan Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

This wasn’t Smith’s best game. Early in the game, he was flagged for a false start. He was then beat by Myles Garrett on third down to end a drive. And his illegal hands to the face penalty in overtime was another drive killer when Brady created magic by finding White for the would-be first down. Smith then let up another third-down sack to Garrett to end another drive in overtime.

Mike Evans

Covered by third-round rookie Martin Emerson, Evans failed to gain separation on a number of plays. Brady continued to go back to Evans, overthrowing him twice, but Evans came down with two catches for 31 yards on nine targets.