In a game where the Bucs seemed to prioritize time of possession over the actual score, they fell to the Panthers 23-20. This loss is a stark reminder that time is running out for this team.
With a defense that hasn’t been able to stop anyone lately, the Bucs opted to speed up the game by running as much clock as possible. The problem? This approach puts immense pressure on your own offense to be perfect and convert third downs. After seeing the opposing offense get only four drives in the first half, but ends up scoring on three of them, which offense are you really slowing down? The Panthers… or your own?
Despite rushing for over 160 yards and winning time of possession by nine minutes, the Bucs struggled to find any rhythm on offense. Baker Mayfield threw for just 145 yards and hardly had the opportunity to make plays on first down.
It’s hard to tell if the coaching staff lacks trust in the defense, the offense, or both. The offensive strategy of running on first and second downs, then playing for third down while trying to chew up the clock, clearly isn’t working.
Defensively, the Bucs played a bend-but-don’t-break style, but ultimately broke at the worst possible moment. A last-second touchdown pass from Bryce Young to Tetairoa McMillan before halftime was a gut punch. I’m still shaking my head at why Todd Bowles called a blitz from Antoine Winfield’s safety position, 10 yards off the line of scrimmage, with so little time left, leaving Jamel Dean in a one-on-one situation. Why wouldn’t you just hold them to a field goal?!
This team is a mess, and the coaching staff doesn’t seem to have any answers. Please, just do us fans one favor… Go down swinging! Bowles, step away from the offensive meetings and let Baker and the receivers win or lose these last two games for us. Our only chance lies in scoring—and lots of it!
Nailed it.
As DH was fond of saying during Liam Coen’s brief time here…”All gas, no brakes…” that has to be the way we go out - more shots to the end zone/chunk plays.
Lets we how that plays out - because slowing us down isn’t working.
