Looking back on Bucs’ loss to Bengals

by Gary Shelton on December 20, 2022

in general

5 Thoughts

Tuesday, 4 a.m.

  1. Shows what I know. Here I thought that Todd Bowles' stay with the Bucs would be defined by that silly blitz against the Rams last year. But let's face it: A fake punt deep in your own territory with a two-touchdown lead was far stupider.

2. The Bucs have lost to some bad quarterbacks this year, but ahead of them are Trace McSorley, Sam Arnold and Desmond Ridder. If that stops you from making the playoffs, it may go down among the worst coaching jobs in the history of a poorly coached franchise.



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3. Yeah, I see a lot franchises lining up to compete for Tom Brady. After Sunday, those franchises might be Saskatchewan, Hamilton and British Columbia.

4. Interesting statistic: Mike Evans had a tackle Sunday. So did Rakeem Nunez-Roches. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka had one. Akiem Hicks had an assist. Logan Hall, top draft choice, did not. By this point, shouldn't he be helping some way?

5. So Gio Bernard sits months and months, waiting for a play. And when his call is made, he falls asleep. Does that make sense to anyone?

5 Comments

(From Todd Bowles' press conference)

(On if RB Giovani Bernard tried to call off the fake punt): "There was no call-off. It was just a mistake. We talked about it in the meeting and we corrected it, and we moved on from there. We talked about it in a meeting. That's for us. We really don't divulge that kind of stuff. It didn't work, that's the bottom line."

(On if recent turnovers by Tom Brady are hurting the team): "Turnovers hurt any team. It's hurting us big time, whether it's the quarterback, whether it's a fumble by the running backs, whether it's special teams or whether it's defense not getting them. Turnovers are big for us not winning right now because they're crucial, and keeping a short field. I think the short field yesterday was probably the whole second half, and it's hard to play a team like that, with that kind of talent, and play on half the field."

(On if the Bengals did something differently in the second half to hold WR Mike Evans without a catch): "They adjusted a few things. A couple times we had him open and we didn't have time to protect him, or the read went the other way. A lot of things came about in that."

(On why the NFC South has had such a collective rough season): "I don't know. We've been beating each other up and then we just haven't been doing well out of the division. We haven't winning and that's my main concern. I don't really worry about the rest of the division, but it turns out we're all in the same boat and we're all fighting to survive."

(On how QB Tom Brady's mobility affects what the Bucs can and can't do on offense): "I don't think it affects anything. He didn't come in running a 4.4 when we got him. We have our stuff tailored around him and what he can do. He's mobile enough to move in the pocket, whether it's one step or two steps left or right, and make plays. We've got to protect him better and we've got to get open and we've got to get rid of the ball as well."

Game Balls

Offense:Chris Godwin caught eight passes against the Bengals for 83 yards.

Defense: Carlton Davis had four passes defensed and did a good Job against JaMarr Chase.

Special teams: Jake Camarda hit his only punt 51 yards. The fake punt wasn't on him.

Grades

Quarterback: Four turnovers in a quarter is just silly, especially for the GOAT. Grade: F.

Wide receiver: Both Evans and Godwin had 83 yards, but Russell Gage was up and down. Grade: B.

Offensive line: In the second half, a beaten-up Bengals team put plenty of pressure on Brady. Grade: D.

Defensive line: The Bengals got only 2.5 yards per carry. Grade: C.

Linebackers: Not a great night. Grade: C.

Secondary: Joe Burrow had a rating of 104.9 and four touchdowns. Davis did well, but there are too many holes. Grade: C.

Special teams: Bad decision on the fake punt. A missed field goal. Grade: C.

Coaching: When you can't come close to holding a 17-point lead at home, that's on the head guy. Grade: F.

Power Rankings

  1. Buffalo

2. Philadelphia

3. San Francisco

4. Kansas City

5. Cincinnati


21. Tampa Bay

Bottom 5

32. Houston

31. Chicago

30. Denver

29. Arizona

28. L.A. Rams

Another 5 Thoughts

  1. If you look at the standings, it's hard to find another team that would pay millions on millions for a 46-year-old quarterback who could put them over the top. I think Brady stays or retires...maybe both. But the Raiders have spent foolish money before.

2. If the NFC South was a college conference, it would be the American.

3. I'm trying to think of one Bucs' player who was better this year than last year. I'm failing.

4. So, if the Bucs win this Island of Misfit Toys Division, how high do you raise the banner? I say you use it to wipe your feet.

5. The Bucs have had a lot of losing seasons and a lot of bad players, but I still say this is the most disappointing season in franchise history. This team was farther below expectations than any of them.

5 Best-Coached Bucs' Seasons

  1. 2002 Bucs Jon Gruden

2. 2020 Bucs Bruce Arians

3. 1999 Bucs Tony Dungy

4. 1979 Bucs John McKay

5. 1997 Bucs Dungy

5 Worst Coached Bucs Seasons

  1. 1976 Bucs McKay

2. 1986 Bucs Leeman Bennett

3. 2011 Bucs Raheem Morris

4. 2014 Bucs Lovie Smith

5. 2022 Bucs Todd Bowles

5 Worst Division Winners

2010 Seattle 7-9

2014 Carolina 7-8-1

2020 Washington 7-9

2022 NFC South ??

2014 Denver 8-8

NFL Mock Drafts

Pro Football Network QB Will Levis Kentucky

Sports Illustrated CB D.J. Turner Michigan

Walter Football CB Cam Smith S. Carolina

CBS RB Bijan Robinson Texas

Draft Network CB Clark Phillips Utah

Plateaus

Tom Brady Needs 113 yards 4,0000

Mike Evans Needs 112 yards 1,000

Leonard Fournette Needs 432 yards 1,000

Ryan Succop Needs 5 Points 100

Chris Godwin Needs 215 Yards 1,000

NFL Stats

Passing Yards Tom Brady 3

Rushing Yards Leonard Fournette 38

Receptions Chris Godwin 9

Tackles Devin White 24

Field Goals Ryan Succop 9

5 More Thoughts

  1. A report last week said that NFL owners had spent $800 million in paying fired coaches and executives. Could that report save Todd Bowles? If he finishes on a horrible note, might the Glazers think it's worth the money to start over?

2. If every athlete was graded the same, which positions would you pick for the Bucs? I'd go edge rusher, offensive tackle, wide receiver, cornerback, quarterback.

3. I understand the glee that the Bengals defense took in the comeback win, but let's face it. It isn't that hard to fall on a fumble.

4. I don't think this was his plan, but when you consider the hole he left, the Bucs might want to increase the size of the letters in Bruce Arians for the Ring of Honor.

5. Here's a question. If Gio Bernard had taken the fake punt and ripped off five yards for the first down, how many of you think the Bucs would have converted the next 70 yards or so to score? Me, neither.

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