The ghost of Sean Payton continues to haunt the Bucs

Well, that sucked.

In what feels like classic Bucs fashion, the franchise followed up a massive, headline-making win against the Detroit Lions by completely no-showing against a winless Denver Broncos team and losing 26-7 Sunday.

A 14-0 first-quarter deficit pretty much spelled the end before either unit really got a chance to get settled. Mistakes snowballed, and the effort looked lackluster as rookie QB Bo Nix easily picked up a depleted secondary.

Not much else more to say, let’s give some shoutouts and move on.

Offensive Top Performer: RB Bucky Irving

It’s becoming increasingly clear that if the Bucs wish to create any semblance of a rushing attack, it needs to be center on the rookie out of Oregon.

Irving showcased his explosive talents for the second time in 3 weeks while easily outpacing incumbent Rachaad White, who continues to struggle with the actual running part of being a running back. Irving notched 84 all-purpose yards on just 12 touches, including 9 carries for 70 yards. He looked decisive, balanced, and elusive as he drove the only real offense for the Bucs all day.

White, meanwhile, touched the ball 11 times for 35 yards. He should be sweating.

Chris Godwin continued to be a reliable weapon by already eclipsing his 2023 TD total in just three games. He nabbed 6 catches for 53 yards and score, which was quite the dazzling display of body control.

Defensive Top Performer: LB Lavonte David

To be honest, the entire defense left a lot to be desired against a previously dysfunctional offense. Making Nix, who was averaging less than 5 yards per attempt, look competent while stockpiling zero sacks is classic Todd Bowles vs. Sean Payton energy — the latter has not lost to Bowles in the regular season while orchestrating an offense that averages well over 27 points per game.

But through it all, David’s agelessness shined through with 8 total tackles and a forced fumble, which marked the 29th in his illustrious career. He shouldn’t need to be carrying so hard, especially on a day where K.J. Britt played terribly and SirVocea Dennis looked pedestrian, but it’s nice to know he can still be leaned upon.

Outside of a long completion allowed on the opening drive, Zyon McCollum tightened back up through the rest of the contest and continued to show his breakdown does indeed appear real. He finished with 6 total tackles and 2 passes defensed.

Special Teams Top Performer: P Jake Camarda

I suppose it’s nice that Camarda’s not totally dead yet.

After looking horrible throughout preseason and the first two weeks of the year, nearly costing the team the win last week with a shank and rating as the worst punter so far per Pro Football Focus, Camarda finally showedd some flashes of his old self.

He loosed a 67-yarder early on in the game and finished with a very respectable 47.3 average, including two punts downed inside the 10-yard line. It’s nice to know the former fourth-rounder managed to find some of his old form, but he needs to do it much more consistently if he hopes to stick around long-term in Tampa. He’s not playing a position exactly known for long-term security.