The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a disappointing defeat against the Carolina Panthers, losing 23-20 on Sunday. This result dropped their record to 7-8 and allowed the Panthers to take over the lead in the NFC South.
In the fourth quarter, a crucial interception thrown by Baker Mayfield due to miscommunication with Mike Evans highlighted the struggles of the Bucs” offense, which faltered for the second consecutive week. The team faced challenges in creating explosive plays, while the defense struggled to apply pressure on Bryce Young, who managed to execute several important throws.
During the game, the Buccaneers” defense allowed several significant plays, particularly in moments that mattered most. Just 12 seconds before halftime, the Panthers found themselves in the red zone, trailing 10-6 with no timeouts left. A tackle in bounds would have likely ended the half, making it vital for the Bucs to protect the end zone. However, the team”s decision to blitz backfired when cornerback Jamel Dean was outmaneuvered on a fade route to Tetairoa McMillan, resulting in a touchdown that gave the Panthers a 13-10 lead at halftime.
The choice to send players on a blitz has sparked debate, and Todd Bowles did not shy away from placing the blame on Dean. Bowles expressed, “He could have played it better. The blitz should have gotten home. He should have been in a better position. It was a bad technique and play on his part. The ball should have never happened.”
He continued, “He was by himself. That should have been off and deeper, and we talked about it. He understands that, and he knows the situation. We do it all the time.” Bowles” critique of Dean”s performance is valid; the defender needed to ensure he was positioned correctly to defend against a play in the end zone. The Buccaneers opted for an aggressive approach, neglecting to drop players back when Young”s only option was to score quickly.
Ultimately, while Dean should have made the play, Bowles” decision to blitz likely exacerbated the situation, putting Dean in a difficult position.
