If one were to look at just the box score over the Bucs’ last two games, it wouldn’t look stunning at all. Just a touchdown in an embarrassing, 34-7 blowout loss to the Rams on Sunday Night Football followed by only 20 points against a now 3-9 Cardinals team.

That doesn’t exactly scream “high-flying offense,” but it was some of the missed moments in their latest game that is actually encouraging that Tampa Bay will produce more points sooner rather than later.

There were some tough drops by Tampa Bay. Emeka Egbuka dropped a pass on the opening drive on first down that would’ve put the Bucs at midfield. Chris Godwin Jr, for as good of a game as he had, dropped a ball in the end zone that made the Bucs settle for a field goal. Also a missed overthrow by Baker Mayfield looking for Tez Johnson would have put the offense in the red zone in the second half rather than punting the ball.

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

Bucs Offense Is Close To Finding It’s Form

Is it “coulda, woulda, shoulda” for Tampa Bay’s offense? A little bit, for sure.

But showing that it was just a lack of execution and not anything to do with play-calling, scheme or player inefficiency means that the Bucs are close to ramping up the points, especially with the likes of running back Bucky Irving and left guard Ben Bredeson to the starting lineup.

“Today felt like we were very, very close,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said on Sunday about the offense clicking again. “Guys took the message and a lot of things at heart during the week of practice, so we just have to be able to continue to translate it to the game field. But, that’s the mentality we’re looking for – guys understand that if you handle it and you prepare like that, good things will happen and go from there.”

Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

What really helps is getting Tampa Bay’s top players back. Godwin played his second game in a row and his best game of the season. He made three catches and his 78 yards led the team.

The true catalyst for Tampa Bay, though, was the return of Irving. The second-year rusher hadn’t played since Week 4 but was ever important in the Bucs’ win on Sunday. He had 81 total yards and scored his first rushing touchdown of the season – a 14-yard dash into the end zone.

It’s having those players back that gives the Bucs the belief that they can clinch the NFC South division once again.

“Starting with Bucky, just the explosive play ability,” Mayfield said. “Just having him back out there – he gets a lot of attention whether he’s getting the ball or not. The play’s never over – it doesn’t have to be blocked up perfect. When you have three healthy [running] backs, they can kind of rotate in and feed off of each other – so, it’s great.

“Chris [Godwin] – Chris looks really good. I think he looks better this time around coming back than he did earlier in the year – just classic Chris. He’s in the right spot at the right time – understands what we are trying to get done. Does all the right things – is willing to go block and make the difference. Just a consummate professional that we are really, really lucky to have and happy to have him back.”

Bucs Treating Every Game Like A Playoff Game

The Bucs aren’t exactly going against juggernauts in their next two games against the 2-10 Saints and the 4-8 Falcons. But, with just a half-game lead in the NFC South on the Carolina Panthers and still having to play them twice, there is no room for error for Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers can’t afford to stub their toe in these next home games before meeting Carolina on the road in Week 16. There’s even more motivation because if the Bucs were to defeat the Saints, Falcons and then Panthers consecutively, the team would clinch the division for the fifth season in a row.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: USA Today

There’s also more help on the way as it looks like wide receivers Jalen McMillan and Mike Evans could be coming soon. The offense could be hitting their stride as they make a playoff push late in the season.

“It’s playoff mentality from here on out,” Mayfield said. “So, it’s not going to change. If you look at it theoretically, we’re in control of our own destiny. But, if we continue that mindset of a playoff push, things should take care of itself. But, it’s not going to be easy – we truly have to take it one game at a time. Now that we have division opponents, it’s even more important. Just have to get healthy and continue to prepare like we did and go from there.”