As they head into the bye at 4-6, the Buccaneers are on the ropes. They’ve lost both games to the Falcons this season, putting them further behind in the race for the NFC South. They may have the easiest remaining schedule in the NFL, but this team needs a lot of help if they’re going to make the postseason - even then, will they really be a team that can compete with the best the division has to offer when they have the worst defense in the league over the last six weeks?
That said, there has been plenty of good to go with the bad. Some of the things we’ve seen from the Bucs this season has given the fans hope that this can be a competitive team for years to come - thanks in large part to the play of Baker Mayfield, who hasn’t had his top two weapons in nearly a month.
So what are the good and bad things we’ve seen from the Bucs this season? Let’s start on a high note.
Good - Baker Mayfield
He had a run there for a little while where he was making some bad decisions and turning the ball over, but Mayfield tops the NFL in total touchdowns, he’s tied for the most passing touchdowns, he’s top five in yards, completion percentage, passer rating, and completions. He’s done it with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, he’s done it without them. He’s eluded pressure and sacks the way only he can, including an incredible stiff arm against Nick Bosa to keep a drive alive late last week on 4th-and-7. Whether it’s the system, his confidence, his will to win, or all of the above this is the reason the Bucs gave Mayfield $100 million this past offseason to make him the quarterback of their present and future.
Bad - Linebackers
Lavonte David is excluded from this conversation - but all the other linebackers have woefully underperformed. K.J. Britt has been a disappointment week in and week out, Yaya Diaby hasn’t lived up to the hype, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is nothing more than a rotational player that hasn’t ever lived up to being a first round pick, J.J. Russell got worked as much as Britt the last few weeks - the entire unit has let the team down over and over. There’s no pressure on the quarterback from the edges, there’s no coverage over the middle against tight ends or running backs. Blow it all up after the season and start from scratch. Hopefully Lavonte still has a little of his fountain of youth supply left to come back next season.
Good - Liam Coen
This guy has been masterful this season. His chemistry with Mayfield has been evident - but Coen has led an offense this season that’s eighth overall, sixth in passing, eleventh in rushing, and - most importantly - fifth in scoring. Over the last six weeks, the Bucs have averaged over 30 points per game and half of those have been without Evans or Godwin. The running game has started to find a groove with Bucky Irving and Rachaad White along with the offensive line being healthy and reunited. Cade Otton has exploded as one of the best tight end threats in the league. No matter what gets thrown at Coen, he finds a way to adapt and overcome the situation. That’s why so many want him to become the head coach sooner than later. If he can parlay his success as an offensive coordinator into being a head coach, the Bucs could be a serious threat for years to come.
Bad - Todd Bowles
From in-game decisions like not going for two against the Chiefs to clock management, Bowles has been bad this year. Not to mention, he’s supposed to be a defensive guru - yet the Bucs have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Over the last six weeks, they are last or next to last in passing yards allowed, points allowed, and total defense. There have been no adjustments, no changes, nothing but the same answers on repeat; “We need to be better,” “There was miscommunication,” “We’re not executing properly.” At some point, someone has to answer for that and it’s going to be the guy that’s in charge of the defense and in charge of the team. He may be able to turn things around like last season, but this defense isn’t anywhere close to where it needs to be if they’re going to compete in the playoffs - and right now, that’s looking like a long shot.
Good - The Youngsters
Bucky Irving leads all rookie running backs in rushing touchdowns and is among the top of all running backs in broken tackles. Zyon McCollum has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL this season. I mentioned Cade Otton already. Graham Barton, while still having a few rookie moments here and there, has been great for the Bucs in the middle of the offensive line. Calijah Kancey has been an impact player since returning from injury. Tykee Smith leads all rookies in forced fumbles. Rakim Jarrett, while not getting a ton of opportunities, has made some impressive plays. The youth on this team should give Bucs fans reasons to be excited about the future.
Bad - Injuries
I’m not sure any team in the league has had worse injury luck than the Bucs. Calijah Kancey started the season by missing time, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin went down in the same game with Godwin being out for the year. Jalen McMillan and Tykee Smith have both missed multiple games now. Antoine Winfield Jr. missed time and still doesn’t appear to be 100%, Jamel Dean is on injured reserve, SirVocea Dennis is out for the year, Tristan Wirfs got hurt last week and his status is week-to-week, Baker Mayfield is fighting through injury to be on the field, Chris Braswell and Zyon McCollum both went down against the Niners, and Bryce Hall was lost for the season in the first game. I don’t know what team can take on this level of injury to crucial players and still be as competitive as the Bucs have been. It speaks to the character and leadership of the players and coaches that this team hasn’t quit and is still fighting like hell to get their way into the playoffs for the fifth straight season.
As they head into the bye at 4-6, the Buccaneers are on the ropes. They’ve lost both games to the Falcons this season, putting them further behind in the race for the NFC South. They may have the easiest remaining schedule in the NFL, but this team needs a lot of help if they’re going to make the postseason - even then, will they really be a team that can compete with the best the division has to offer when they have the worst defense in the league over the last six weeks?
That said, there has been plenty of good to go with the bad. Some of the things we’ve seen from the Bucs this season has given the fans hope that this can be a competitive team for years to come - thanks in large part to the play of Baker Mayfield, who hasn’t had his top two weapons in nearly a month.
So what are the good and bad things we’ve seen from the Bucs this season? Let’s start on a high note.
Good - Baker Mayfield
He had a run there for a little while where he was making some bad decisions and turning the ball over, but Mayfield tops the NFL in total touchdowns, he’s tied for the most passing touchdowns, he’s top five in yards, completion percentage, passer rating, and completions. He’s done it with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, he’s done it without them. He’s eluded pressure and sacks the way only he can, including an incredible stiff arm against Nick Bosa to keep a drive alive late last week on 4th-and-7. Whether it’s the system, his confidence, his will to win, or all of the above this is the reason the Bucs gave Mayfield $100 million this past offseason to make him the quarterback of their present and future.
Bad - Linebackers
Lavonte David is excluded from this conversation - but all the other linebackers have woefully underperformed. K.J. Britt has been a disappointment week in and week out, Yaya Diaby hasn’t lived up to the hype, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is nothing more than a rotational player that hasn’t ever lived up to being a first round pick, J.J. Russell got worked as much as Britt the last few weeks - the entire unit has let the team down over and over. There’s no pressure on the quarterback from the edges, there’s no coverage over the middle against tight ends or running backs. Blow it all up after the season and start from scratch. Hopefully Lavonte still has a little of his fountain of youth supply left to come back next season.
Good - Liam Coen
This guy has been masterful this season. His chemistry with Mayfield has been evident - but Coen has led an offense this season that’s eighth overall, sixth in passing, eleventh in rushing, and - most importantly - fifth in scoring. Over the last six weeks, the Bucs have averaged over 30 points per game and half of those have been without Evans or Godwin. The running game has started to find a groove with Bucky Irving and Rachaad White along with the offensive line being healthy and reunited. Cade Otton has exploded as one of the best tight end threats in the league. No matter what gets thrown at Coen, he finds a way to adapt and overcome the situation. That’s why so many want him to become the head coach sooner than later. If he can parlay his success as an offensive coordinator into being a head coach, the Bucs could be a serious threat for years to come.
Bad - Todd Bowles
From in-game decisions like not going for two against the Chiefs to clock management, Bowles has been bad this year. Not to mention, he’s supposed to be a defensive guru - yet the Bucs have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Over the last six weeks, they are last or next to last in passing yards allowed, points allowed, and total defense. There have been no adjustments, no changes, nothing but the same answers on repeat; “We need to be better,” “There was miscommunication,” “We’re not executing properly.” At some point, someone has to answer for that and it’s going to be the guy that’s in charge of the defense and in charge of the team. He may be able to turn things around like last season, but this defense isn’t anywhere close to where it needs to be if they’re going to compete in the playoffs - and right now, that’s looking like a long shot.
Good - The Youngsters
Bucky Irving leads all rookie running backs in rushing touchdowns and is among the top of all running backs in broken tackles. Zyon McCollum has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL this season. I mentioned Cade Otton already. Graham Barton, while still having a few rookie moments here and there, has been great for the Bucs in the middle of the offensive line. Calijah Kancey has been an impact player since returning from injury. Tykee Smith leads all rookies in forced fumbles. Rakim Jarrett, while not getting a ton of opportunities, has made some impressive plays. The youth on this team should give Bucs fans reasons to be excited about the future.
Bad - Injuries
I’m not sure any team in the league has had worse injury luck than the Bucs. Calijah Kancey started the season by missing time, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin went down in the same game with Godwin being out for the year. Jalen McMillan and Tykee Smith have both missed multiple games now. Antoine Winfield Jr. missed time and still doesn’t appear to be 100%, Jamel Dean is on injured reserve, SirVocea Dennis is out for the year, Tristan Wirfs got hurt last week and his status is week-to-week, Baker Mayfield is fighting through injury to be on the field, Chris Braswell and Zyon McCollum both went down against the Niners, and Bryce Hall was lost for the season in the first game. I don’t know what team can take on this level of injury to crucial players and still be as competitive as the Bucs have been. It speaks to the character and leadership of the players and coaches that this team hasn’t quit and is still fighting like hell to get their way into the playoffs for the fifth straight season.
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