Monday night was far from a disappointing one for the Bucs, as they rolled to a decisive 32-9 win over the Eagles to wrap up the NFL’s Super Wild Card Weekend. Tampa Bay survived and advanced, moving on to the NFC Divisional Round next weekend.

While things were largely positive for Tampa Bay, not everything went swimmingly. Here is the “Most Disappointing” list from Monday night’s playoff victory. It’s important to note, though, that while these Bucs landed on the list, they ultimately did come through for the team at various points throughout the game.

WR Mike Evans

Bucs WR Mike Evans Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs’ offensive approach was win in the short flats and over the middle with secondary weapons like David Moore, Deven Thompkins, Cade Otton and Trey Palmer. Then, the goal was to wait for deep shots to Evans to present themselves. The approach was sound and worked well. Unfortunately, Evans was unable to haul in his deep targets.

The first was on Tampa Bay’s second drive when Mayfield laid out a great ball down the right sideline just shy of the end zone. Evans dropped what would have been a touchdown and the Bucs had to settle for a field goal. Those four points would be critical at the end of the half as they prevented the Bucs from keeping a two-score lead.

Bucs Secondary vs. DeVonta Smith

Jamel Dean and Antoine Winfield Jr. were in coverage on the 55-yard bomb to DeVonta Smith that set up the Eagles’ first touchdown of the game. Both defensive backs allowed Smith to get behind them for the big gain.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles was masterful in creating a game plan that forced the Eagles to resort to Smith as their only weapon. All the Bucs secondary had to do was keep him in front of them, and they struggled to do so.

Zyon McCollum was in coverage in the slot early against Smith on what became a 31-yard catch and run. Unrelated to this particular subject, McCollum would also be called for not one, but two offsides penalties on Eagles kicks. He lucked out, of course, as both times it resulted in Philly taking points off the board and then failing to convert on the ensuing play.

Throughout the night, the Eagles only offensive weapon was Smith. The Eagles knew it. The Bucs knew it. Every fan in the stadium knew it. Every fan watching on television knew it. My mother knew it. But despite that, the Eagles were still able to move the ball on a consistent basis through their de facto No. 1 receiver. Hurts targeted Smith 10 times, and he caught seven of those targets for 141 yards.

Bucs Offensive Line

The line had bouts of struggle mixed within good play. From snap-to-snap, you didn’t know what you were going to get. The Eagles were able sack Baker Mayfield four times on the night. On the second sack, the Eagles were able to get to the quarterback because right guard Aaron Stinnie was unable to pick up a loop off of a defensive tackle stunt.

On the third sack, Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith beat Bucs right tackle Luke Goedeke clean on the outside to bring the quarterback down on a crucial 3rd & 7 early in the third quarter when the Bucs had advantageous field position and an opportunity to put some distance on the scoreboard.

For the fourth sack, Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams simply manhandled Stinnie to the side before running roughshod over Mayfield coming off of a play-action. The play would knock the Bucs out of field goal range on what would have given them a two-score lead.