The Bucs had a very exciting win over the Bears, defeating their opponent, 27-17, in the home opener. While the Bucs should feel good about winning both of their games to begin the season, this one was closer than expected late in the game before Shaq Barrett sealed the win with a clutch pick-six.

These were the most disappointing players and moments from the Bucs game.

Bucs Penalties

Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – photo by Cliff Welch P/R

An argument can be made that penalties were the only thing that kept the Bears in it against the Bucs. Tampa Bay had seven penalties for 54 yards, but it was the timing of some that really hurt. For example, in the first quarter left tackle Tristan Wirfs was flagged for a false start penalty on a third-and-1 from the Bears’ 17.

That forced the team into throwing the ball, and Baker Mayfield’s pass fell incomplete and Tampa Bay had to settle for a field goal attempt. Chase McLaughlin’s attempt wound up getting blocked, so not only were the Bucs not able to punch the ball in for a touchdown, but they didn’t end up getting any points.

The penalties also reared their ugly head in the fourth quarter as Tampa Bay was trying to put the game out of reach. A holding penalty on Mike Evans quickly ended their second drive of the quarter after four plays. Then a false start by Luke Goedeke on the ensuing drive factored into the Bucs punting the ball away again, giving the Bears a chance to tie or win the game, which had a 20-17 score at the time in Tampa Bay’s favor. The Bucs could get away with it against the lowly Bears, but they won’t be able to next week against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Blocked Kick

Every week it feels like at least one thing goes wrong for a Bucs’ special teams unit. This time around it was getting a blocked field goal in the first quarter as the Bucs were trying to cut the lead to 7-6. Kicker Chase McLaughlin has been fantastic for the Bucs so far, but he didn’t get enough under the ball as Bears defensive lineman Rasheem Green knocked it down. Green shot through a gap between Luke Goedeke and Justin Skule, knocking Skule back in the process.

Holder Jake Camarda was able to race back and fall on the ball to prevent a scoop-and-score by Chicago. The block almost came back to haunt Tampa Bay, as Chicago had a chance to tie the game late or even take the lead with a touchdown due to the three-point deficit. Luckily, the defense created two turnovers and ended it.

CB Jamel Dean 

It’s been a slow start for Dean through two games. Tampa Bay was going to rely on him, especially this week with Carlton Davis III out. Tasked with taking on D.J. Moore for a majority of the game, Moore picked up where he left off with torching Tampa Bay like did with Carolina last season. It didn’t make a difference now that he’s in a Bear uniform.

Moore had six catches and 104 yards. Dean was second on the Bucs with seven tackles, but most of those were made down the field after passes were completed.

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs’ Red Zone Offense 

Overall there were encouraging signs of how Tampa Bay’s offense were able to move the ball down the field to the tune of 437 yards, converting 8-of-15 (53.3%) third downs The unit looked more comfortable this week, so it’s a step in the right direction.

Where Tampa Bay did struggle was inside the red zone. On four separate trips inside the opponents’ 20, only one saw the offense walk away with a touchdown – coming from a Rachaad White rushing score. Tampa Bay’s drives’ continuously stalled out and the team was forced to settle for a pair of field goals.

TE Josh Wells

In the preseason and in training camp Wells established himself as another receiving tight end on Tampa Bay’s roster after Cade Otton. He made two catches in the game, but his second was almost rather costly. Wells secured a catch but then immediately had it knocked loose as the ball flew backwards 11 yards. The Bucs got bailed out when Baker Mayfield jumped on the football to recover it.

Ironically enough Mayfield threw a touchdown to Mike Evans on the next play on third-and-14 from the Chicago 32. The Bucs have preached taking care of the football, so that can’t happen with their third-string tight end. Wells ended up with two catches for -10 yards in the game.

Bucs OC Dave Canales – photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

Bucs’ Fourth Quarter Offense

After being really aggressive in Week 1, Tampa Bay took their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter in Week 2 after building a 10-point lead, 20-10. The Bucs had the ball three different times in the fourth quarter – excluding a victory formation kneel down – with a chance to go for the knockout blow.

They went three plays for nine yards (1:58 time consumed), four plays for seven yards (2:21 time consumed) and eight plays for 32 yards (3:53 time consumed). Without many long, sustaining drives, the Bears were able to get back into the game with a 20-yard touchdown to Chase Claypool to cut the lead to 20-17 until the Bucs defense clinched the win with a pick-six from Shaq Barrett and an interception from Christian Izien to finish the game.