After a promising 6-2 start, everything that can go wrong has gone wrong for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers are 1-7 in their last eight games, and now face a must-win game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday afternoon to even have a chance to make the playoffs.
I said last week that it is a disgrace that a team playing this badly still has a chance to make the playoffs. I stand by that statement one week later. But here we are, and the Bucs are stumbling and fumbling along with a 7-9 record and can not only make the playoffs, but win the division with an 8-9 record.
But not so fast. The Buccaneers do not control their own destiny. To make the playoffs, the Buccaneers not only have to win at home against Carolina, but they also need help from their biggest rival, the New Orleans Saints. The Saints must beat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday for the Buccaneers to punch their playoff ticket. Should Atlanta beat the Saints, it would create a three-way tie for first place in the division between Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Atlanta, all with 8-9 records. Based on the league’s tie-breaking system, Carolina would win the division and make the playoffs as the NFC South champion.
Here are some keys to the Bucs winning the game against the Panthers on Saturday:
Play better defense: The Buccaneers have been a disaster on defense since the bye week, ranking in the bottom third of the league in numerous categories.
-20th in total yards allowed at 341 yards per game.
-26th in pass defense, allowing 236 yards a game.
-They are 10th in points allowed at 25 points per game.
-The team is +5 in turnover differential.
Baker Mayfield has to eliminate turnovers: This is non-negotiable. Mayfield had all three turnovers in the game against Miami last week, throwing two interceptions and fumbling the ball away after getting sacked.
After eight weeks, the Buccaneers were 6-2 and the toast of the NFC in many circles. Baker Mayfield was touted as an MVP candidate after throwing 13 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Since then, as Mayfield has gone, so have the Bucs. Tampa is 1-7 in the last eight games with Mayfield throwing 12 touchdowns against eight interceptions. The Bucs are 0-7 this season when Mayfield throws an interception. Mayfield MUST take better care of the football. He must not force the ball into coverage, and make better decisions with the football.
Special teams must have a perfect game: The Buccaneers have had four blocked field goal attempts this season. They have also had too many punts blocked and are allowing huge returns. The Buccaneers have also given up a ton of explosive plays on kick-off returns. Giving the opposing offense excellent field position has come to bite the Bucs numerous times this season. Instead of getting gashed in the return game, take the touchback and let the opposing offense take the ball at the 35-yard line.
Get the run game going: Since Bucky Irving returned to the lineup after his shoulder and toe injury, the Bucs have not been able to get their run game going. Irving has run for just 266 yards on 91 carries, averaging 2.9 yards per carry.
After finishing fourth in the NFL last season running the ball, averaging 149 yards per game, the Bucs have fallen way off that mark and are 20th in the league in rushing this season, averaging 113 yards a game on the ground.
If the season ends with the Buccaneers making the playoffs, Seattle or San Francisco would most likely be the opponent. The Buccaneers would face them at home, but unless Tampa can play better, it won’t matter. This season, the Buccaneers’ collapse has been one of the worst mid-season swoons in NFL history.
Well, there is always next season, but if Todd Bowles is back as coach, the string of mediocrity under his leadership will continue.