The Bucs lost 24-20 at home in embarrassing fashion to a bad Saints team. There is nothing impressive with this team right now. But Scott Reynolds said I have to submit something here, so here is the best of a bad bunch from Sunday afternoon.

RB Bucky Irving

Irving is special. His creativity in space is a problem for opposing defenses, and he showed it on his opening touchdown, avoiding Alontae Taylor behind the line of scrimmage before breaking a tackle at the goal line to punch the ball in. Irving added another catch later in the game for two yards.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: USA Today

It took a while for Bucky to find his footing as a runner. He had 20 yards on just 13 carries halfway into the fourth quarter. But a 32-yard scamper late in the fourth put the Bucs into scoring position when they were down 24-17. The play gave the offense new life and set up an eventual 37-yard field goal for Chase McLaughlin to pull the Bucs to within four.

Irving finished the game with 15 carries for 55 yards, averaging 3.7 yards per carry and added two catches for 26 yards and a touchdown.

Bucs Backup RBs

Bucky Irving made him impact in the passing game early. But after the rain entered the chat, he was largely held in check on the ground. But it was the Bucs’ bigger backup running backs who were able to plow through arm tackles and keep the team’s offense on schedule.

After losing the lead on a Saints touchdown drive following a Baker Mayfield interception, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker carried the ball exclusively on the following drive. Seven runs between the two backs for 46 yards and a Tucker score helped the Bucs gain the lead 17-14 in the 3rd quarter.

Tucker finished the day with seven carries and 29 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per carry plus the touchdown. White led the team in effciency with 11 carries for 53 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per tote.

K Chase McLaughlin

Speaking of McLaughlin, he was as automatic as ever, nailing all four of his kicks on the day. In addition to the fourth quarter field goal, he added a 41-yard boot to give the Bucs a lead in the second quarter. He also nailed both of his extra point attempts. McLaughlin is making a case to be the Bucs’ lone Pro Bowl representative as he also chases team and NFL history.

Bucs K Chase McLaughlin – Photo by: USA Today

McLaughlin compiled eight of the Bucs’ 20 points while going perfect on his attempts.

Bucs LT Ben Chukwuma

The rookie undrafted free agent played a pretty clean game against the Saints’ best pass rusher in Chase Young. Up until the game’s final drive, Chuks allowed just one pressure all game, and that pressure came early. Down the stretch, he was shutting down the left side and providing lanes for Tampa Bay’s running backs. It wasn’t a Tristan Wirfs performance. But it was lightyears ahead of what Charlie Heck provided earlier in the year.

As the team looks to 2026 – which may happen sooner than most thought it would – it will be interesting how the Bucs incorporate him on the roster in the best way. At minimum, they probably won’t have to chase a veteran journeyman/failed starter to man the swing backup tackle role, as they now have a quality young home-grown option.