What did social media have to say about the disappointing loss?
Welp. The Bucs hopes of winning the NFC South for the fourth straight season took a huge hit on Sunday as they fell to the Atlanta Falcons 31-26. Even though Tampa Bay had their opportunities in this game, the score probably doesn’t quite tell the whole story of the game.
At 4-4 though, it’s gut check time for the Bucs. Let’s see what the people on social media had to say about this performance.
Welcome back, Bucco Bruce
Despite the loss, it’s always fun to see the creamsicles and Bucco Bruce return. It truly is one of the best throwback uniforms not just in football, but all of sports.
Bucco Baker pic.twitter.com/A8C9M1OM0U
— Tampa Bay Bucs (@Bucs) October 27, 2024
The Bucs didn’t do a lot of winning in these jerseys for the first 20 years that the originally wore them and they don’t do a lot of winning bringing them back once a year either.
The team initially brought them back in 2009 and wore them once a year until 2012 before bringing them back again in 2023. Since 2009, they are 1-5 in the 6 games wearing them. At least they are consistent.
Baker has to clean it up
Baker Mayfield has been good for Tampa Bay so far this season and there has been more positives than negatives. However, he is starting to turn the ball over at an alarming rate. He has thrown seven interceptions in his last three games.
NFL leader in passing touchdowns over the last four weeks:
Baker Mayfield (13)NFL leader in interceptions thrown over the last four weeks:
Baker Mayfield (7)— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 28, 2024
Without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the Bucs are going to need Mayfield to take better care of the ball.
Bucky continues to impress
Rookie running back Bucky Irving got a lot of opportunities early in the game and made the most of them. He has shown an ability to turn nothing into something more often than not.
This was the play.
Bucky Irving is so good with his movement ability and body control.
That toe injury looks like a non-issue
pic.twitter.com/JrZZeGlOzG— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) October 27, 2024
Irving finished with just nine carries for 44 yards. Tampa Bay probably should have stuck with the run game more than they did in this one.
This defense has no answers
Todd Bowles’ unit has been awful the past four games and it is starting to cost the Bucs critical games. Kirk Cousins continued to torment Tampa Bay and Todd Bowles on Sunday.
In six quarters (plus one drive in OT), Kirk Cousins has thrown for 733 passing yards and 7 touchdowns against the Bucs
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) October 27, 2024
Cousins ended the day with four touchdowns, just six incompletions and no turnovers. It’s simply not good enough from a unit that doesn’t have many excuses. This defense shows very little resistance and there aren’t many signs things are going to get better.
Tampa Bay is now 4-4 and are about to face the defending back to back Super Bowl champs and then face the defending NFC champions the very next week. Things are starting to turn the wrong way for the Bucs and they need some type of spark to turn it around.