TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are taking responsibility for their recent struggles, which have led to a disappointing four-game losing streak following a strong start to the NFL season. Injuries to vital players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have compounded their challenges, but the team recognizes the need for improved performance, especially in high-pressure situations as they enter their bye week with a 4-6 record.
This past Sunday, the Buccaneers suffered a narrow 23-20 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers, marking yet another instance where crucial errors undermined their chances against a formidable opponent. Coach Todd Bowles, alongside quarterback Baker Mayfield and veteran defender Lavonte David, voiced concerns over the team’s execution on both sides of the ball during pivotal moments. Bowles highlighted the importance of consistency and discipline, noting that regardless of player availability, costly mistakes cannot be tolerated.
Struggling defensively, the Bucs have allowed an average of 31.3 points over a stretch of six weeks, where they’ve faltered five times. Despite their defensive woes, the team has kept most contests competitive; they lost two in overtime and the recent match against the 49ers was lost on a last-second field goal. The previous week, Tampa Bay faced the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in another tight matchup, ending with a similar result where they allowed a last-minute drive to result in a defeat.
Bowles expressed his frustrations about the lack of execution, saying, “It doesn’t matter if we lose by a large margin or by just a field goal at the end, each outcome is disappointing. We need to find ways to win, and it’s discouraging when we fail to execute the necessary plays.” Mayfield also emphasized that the upcoming bye week can serve as a crucial time to regroup both physically and mentally. “It’s important for us to reflect on what has led to our losses and return ready to address those issues,” he said.
David, who has dedicated his entire 13-year career to the Buccaneers, voiced his commitment to improvement. “As a defensive leader, I realize I need to contribute more. It’s clear that the entire team needs to elevate its performance. We must dig deep to identify what’s holding us back and correct it quickly,” he stated.
On a positive note, the Buccaneers displayed an improved running game against the 49ers, showcasing the potential to keep the games competitive. Running backs Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Baker Mayfield combined for a total of 110 rushing yards. This performance marks Tampa Bay’s seventh 100-yard rushing game for the season, with six occurring in the last seven games—its best rushing output since the 2021 season.
However, areas still require attention. While the Buccaneers’ defense managed to restrict the 49ers to a season-low of 75 rushing yards, they allowed five passing plays exceeding 30 yards, resulting in the 49ers outperforming Tampa Bay in total yardage significantly, with 413 yards compared to the Buccaneers’ 215 yards, despite similar numbers in offensive plays.
In the stock watch for individual performances, rookie Irving, a fourth-round draft choice from Oregon, continued to shine, posting 73 rushing yards and a touchdown while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Additionally, he made three catches for 14 yards, further making the case for a starting role. Conversely, White’s performance has waned; despite contributing a touchdown in the receiver game, his average of 3.8 yards per carry falls short of the team’s standard. Bowles has reiterated the plan to maintain a dual-back system moving forward.
Injury updates reveal that left tackle Tristan Wirfs sustained a right knee sprain, placing him on a week-to-week recovery timeline. With the Bucs not practicing this week, there’s hope that the bye will provide a much-needed opportunity for Evans, cornerback Jamel Dean, and other players dealing with minor injuries to recover as the team prepares for the season’s critical final stretch.
Key statistics indicate a shift in performance, as the Buccaneers started the season with just two sacks in the first three games but have followed up with an impressive total of 26 sacks over the subsequent weeks, leading the NFL during this stretch.
Next on the Buccaneers’ agenda is the bye week, with their schedule set to resume on November 24, as they head to face the New York Giants on the road.