Let’s be honest: The whole Bucs team belongs on this Most Disappointing list after their performance against the Panthers. In a 21-3 loss to their division rival, not much looked good. Tampa Bay struggled to move the ball on offense and couldn’t stop the run on defense.

Here are the most disappointing players from the Bucs’ Week 7 loss to the Panthers:

Luke Goedeke

After two series, Goedeke was benched for backup Nick Leverett. Leverett immediately provided an upgrade on the line, yet after two more series, the Bucs went back to Goedeke. It wouldn’t last long, as he was pulled yet again after three drives before Leverett took over again. It was a yo-yo of a game as Goedeke came back into the game but immediately let up pressure on Tom Brady, which forced him to scramble out of the pocket. The rookie left guard just isn’t getting better, and Sunday was another disappointment.

Zyon McCollum

Granted, it was his first career start and he settled down a bit, but McCollum had some rookie mistakes. On the Panthers’ first play of the game, he got turned around and let wide receiver Terrace Marshall get behind him for what was almost a 38-yard gain. After a challenge, it was determined it was not a catch. McCollum gave up another big completion that put the Panthers in the red zone before half. They capitalized on it, too, with a touchdown by D.J. Moore to end the half. 

McCollum was also on the receiving end of allowing the Panthers’ third touchdown of the game. P.J. Walker’s 29-yard pass to tight end Tommy Tremble put the Bucs down 21-3 with just over nine minutes left in the game.

Third Down Efficiency On Offense

Bucs RB Leonard Fournette and QB Tom Brady – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs’ struggles to convert on third down continued against the Panthers. Going a paltry 2-of-6 in the first half, things didn’t get much better in the second. They went 0-6 in the second half and couldn’t sustain drives. Play calling and play sequencing are leading to major struggles with the Tampa Bay offense. 

Donovan Smith

Smith allowed a sack to Brian Burns in the second quarter that put the Bucs in a 3rd & 24 situation that ended up killing the drive. Smith also had two false starts in the game. One in the third quarter and the other in the fourth quarter, both helped end drives. 

Mike Evans 

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

While he still ended the day with 9 catches for 96 yards, it could have been a much bigger stat line and a different game if not for two major drops. The first of his drops was on one of the very first plays of the game. Evans was running a deep route and was wide open, but he bobbled the ball and couldn’t come down with the catch. If he had held onto the ball it, would have been an easy 64-yard touchdown. In the third quarter, Evans had his hands on another deep ball thrown a bit high from Brady, but still should’ve come down with the catch. 

Tackling

Tackling was yet again an issue for the Bucs, especially on the Panthers’ first scoring drive. Devin White whiffed on a tackle that resulted in a gain of 23 yards by D’Onta Foreman. Then, Keanu Neal missed a tackle on the very next play. Two plays later, the Panthers scored the first points of the game. Missed tackles led to the Panthers’ second score of the game as well, with Foreman bouncing through the line and breaking several tackles on a 60-yard run. Two plays later, Chuba Hubbard ran it in from 17 yards out to put the Panthers up 14-0.

Mike Edwards 

Panthers WR D.J. Moore and S Mike Edwards – Photo by: USA Today

He’s dealing with an elbow injury, but this was not Mike Edwards’ best game. He also missed a tackle, but more importantly was the man in coverage on D.J. Moore’s touchdown catch in the first half. Edwards was a step behind the Panthers receiver, who made a toe-tapping touchdown catch in the back of the endzone. Edwards also missed several tackles on the day. 

Run Defense

Christian McCaffrey who? Even without the Pro Bowl running back, who was traded on Thursday, the Panthers had their way with the Bucs. Totaling 173 yards on the ground, Carolina ran at will against Tampa Bay and there was little the defense could do about it. With longs of 60, 27 and 17 yards, the Bucs defense didn’t just get beat in the run game — it got embarrassed.

Genard Avery

Just for good measure to put the Bucs away, Avery roughed the kicker on a punt with three and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter, giving Carolina a first down to keep the drive going.