Buccaneers Hit Rock Bottom In 21-3 Loss To The Panthers
Just when you think things can’t get any worse, the Buccaneers played the worst game in the Tom Brady era against one of the worst teams in the league.
From the play calling to how the players executed on the field, the Bucs were outcoached and outplayed by a team that has thrown in the towel on the season.
This Carolina team traded their two best offensive players, Robby Anderson and Christian McCaffrey during the week, and the Buccaneers’ defense was still outplayed and out coached.
The Panther’s offense is near the bottom in almost every offensive category. Last in total offense, 29th in passing, and 26th in rushing.
The Panthers are last on third-down conversions, 30th in the red zone, and 26th in scoring. Yet the Bucs’ defense let Carolina move the ball down the field with
Panthers Backups Light Up Buccaneers Defense
Third-string quarterback PJ Walker completed 16/22 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
Running backs Donta Freeman and Chuba Hubbard combined for 181 yards and a touchdown against the Buccaneer’s defense, with Hubbard ripping off a 60-yard run.
With the 21-3 loss, the Bucs have lost four out of their last five. This team seems to be getting worse instead of showing any improvement
The Bucs have a short turnaround to fix things, as they have a date with the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night.
You had a feeling it would be that kind of day when the Bucs’ Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans dropped a potential 64-yard pass from Tom Brady, which would have given the Bucs an early 7-0 lead.
Evans said that play set the tone for the entire game.
Mike Evans, oh no.pic.twitter.com/Uj78hK0zpA — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 23, 2022
Buccaneers Offensive Woes Continue
Evans caught nine passes for 96 yards but was a non-factor the rest of the game.
The Buccaneers could only run the ball for 46 yards against the 30th-ranked run defense, averaging 2.9 yards a carry.
Rachaad White ran the ball six times for 24 yards, averaging four yards a carry. Perhaps it’s time to give White a more significant role in the offense.
Trailing 7-0 in the third quarter, the Bucs drove deep into Carolina territory and faced a third and one at the 25 yards line. Twice they gave the ball to Leonard Fournette and could not get the one yard needed for the first down.
"We own it." 🗣: HC Todd Bowles pic.twitter.com/PpQj3jImg4 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 23, 2022
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Bowles added, “We need to consider changing some of the things we’re doing. We’ve definitely been discussing that. It can’t happen overnight.”
Bowles was also asked after the game if he was considering changes to the coaching staff, and he responded, “Not at this time.”
When does Bowles think would be a good time to shake things up? We are almost at the halfway point of the season, and instead of seeing improvement, we are seeing this team play worse week after week.
Tom Brady put the ball up 49 times for 290 yards and no touchdowns.
Nick Leverett replaced Buccaneer’s rookie left guard Luke Goedeke during the game, and those two rotated at guard the rest of the game. Bowles said that Goedeke would be the starting left guard Thursday despite his continued struggles.
Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. suffered a concussion and will miss the game Thursday night against the Ravens.
Final Thoughts
With the loss, the Buccaneers fall into a tie with the Atlanta Falcons at 3-4 in the division. This is also the first time Tom Brady has a record of 3-4 after seven games in his 20-year career.
According to head coach Todd Bowles, no significant changes are coming for the Buccaneers this week as the Bucs have a short week of preparation for the Ravens.
Instead, Bowles talked about the same nonsense he had talked about for the last three weeks. We have to coach better. Players have to play better etc.
Maybe after another blowout loss to the Ravens on Thursday night, Bowles will be forced to make changes to shake this team out of the deep funk it is in.