This is the exact game the Buccaneers couldn’t have to advance to the Divisional Round. The biggest problem facing the team was that they haven’t. played a full sixty minutes at any point this season outside maybe the Giants or Eagles game. And guess what, the team didn’t show up for the full game here. The offense once again decided to shoot themselves in the foot and the defense stood around when they needed the stop the most. A lot of soul-searching will be done here, but now’s the time for me to whinge like a bitch.
Baker. My guy, my dude. Your fumble cost us this game. Unfortunately, it’s true. And he knew it when it happened. He took the blame immediately for it, which I respect. And blame for that does fall on Coen as well for calling that play when Baker was beating them over the middle. Bucky also had a decent game in the second half, but it didn’t feel like he got the ball nearly enough.
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The defense had a very mixed game. Bowles I actually thought called a decent game. But the players were either missing tackles or Daniels was just better. I know people groan when coaches mention execution, but I stg, barely any player executed on a damn thing. Zyon had a few groan worthy plays, Kancey had a few missed tackles, and Diaby failed to track a ball thrown right beside his helmet. It has become clear this defense has a talent issue on top of a scheme issue. They have absolutely no good edge rusher. or at least a truly number one dominant guy. Diaby is good, but he clearly needs a partner that’s not JTS and his non-evolution.
But now is the point where you do blame Bowles for the loss. He had horrific clock management. I’m sure you’re not shocked to hear that as that has been the MO the entire year. there were multiple points were seconds were bleeded because the TO was just not called on time. Why did that happen? “Personnel issues”. That was the answer. Respectfully, this is up there with my dog ate my HW. That doesn’t make sense at all. At this point, you should be mad at yourselves for thinking that would change.
It really is hard to fully assess this game because so much went right and wrong. Baker was having a great game and here’s a backbreaking turnover. defense holding on oh here’s Jayden Daniels breaking more tackles. This team would’ve had a tough climb to make it to the SB. However, even including the injuries, this team underperformed.
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This defense had not played up to acceptable levels for most the season against real opponents. You usually fire the DC for the defensive rankings the Buccaneers had. And really, the points could’ve been a lot worse if Dan Quinn didn’t decide to go for it every 4th down and fail. The big question now is obvious: what the hell is to be done with Bowles? And while I don’t blame him fully for this loss (he obviously wasn’t perfect but from a defensive perspective he was fine), I think he should be gone. The Buccaneers need change especially on defense. And Bowles has just not dealt with that well at all. You can blame injuries all you want but without Kancey and Vita we wouldn’t be getting sacks in any game.
All the credit in the world to Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. He was fantastic in this game through the air and was clutch when the Commanders needed him the most. And I’m going to be breaking tradition for the first time and actually root for them to represent the NFC. I usually wish death upon the team that knocks mine out of the dance, but goddammit, I like watching Daniels play. The ball is in Jason’s court. The lack of depth this team has can be attributed back to putting us in credit card debt in 2021. While I don’t blame him for going all in for another ring, it has hurt this team. A good GM normally digs themselves out of this hole, and Jason is considered that. All we can do is sit and watch.
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