Buccaneers Ready For ‘Everything It Takes’
Dec 31, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is helped off the field by offensive tackle Luke Goedeke (67) against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Let downs happen. But with a trip to the playoffs and a division title on the line, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to avoid a catastrophic end to their 2023 season.
The Buccaneers had the opportunity to capture the NFC South this past weekend at home, but a surprising loss — that could be attributed to a slow start and a less-than-admirable performance — to the New Orleans Saints left things wide open in the division race. Now Tampa Bay has their backs against the wall, but they are ready to address the problem.
“I thought we started slow. In all phases, we started slow,” Tampa Bay Head Coach Todd Bowles said. “Defensively, we didn’t get off the field. [We] didn’t get going, offensively. [We] knew what to do, we were just in a daze the first quarter and a half before we could get anything going, and by then it’s too late against a good football team. You watch it, you analyze it, you talk about it, [and] you work at it in practice. We know we need to start faster. We know we have one more game to get in, and we have to do everything it takes.”
The Buccaneers didn’t play up to the standard they had set during their recent four-game win streak. They were clicking offensively, passing for 238.5 yards and rushing for 111.25 yards per game. Defensively, they only allowed 18.75 points per game. They were hitting their stride heading into the postseason, with a division title in their sights. But, now they have one chance to get the job done.
“Our motivation is to get in [the playoffs]. We won four out of five. We did a hell of a job winning four out of five, and [if] we win five out of six, we get in. That’s the reality of it,” Bowles said. “Winning six in a row would have been outstanding, winning five out of six isn’t bad either. We’ve just got to buckle down and win the last one.”
Tampa Bay has gone through an up-and-down season. After winning three of their first four games, the Buccaneers lost four straight after their bye week, and six of their next seven, before going on a four-game winning streak. So, they’ve had their backs against the wall throughout the season and now have another opportunity to get the job done.
The last challenge to get into the playoffs is the 2-14 Carolina Panthers, who the Buccaneers beat 21-18 to kick off their four-game winning streak. The Buccaneers tallied 322 total yards of offense in that game, but allowed the Panthers to tally 282 yards. Despite trailing late in the third quarter, the Buccaneers scored 14 unanswered points before cruising to the three-point victory.
Knowing the challenge the Panthers presented last time, Bowles isn’t worried about any type by his team for the second week in a row.
“Our thing is we can’t beat ourselves. We don’t care if they were 14-2. In the NFL anybody can beat anybody any given week, and division games are always tough,” Bowles said. “We have to play our game, make less mistakes and then we’ll worry about the opponent on Sunday. If we can do that, we will have a chance to win.”
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