The Tampa Bay Buccaneers experienced a dramatic collapse on December 14, 2023, losing 29-28 to the Atlanta Falcons after holding a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter. The defeat at Raymond James Stadium marks the Buccaneers’ fifth loss in six games, dropping their record to 7-7 and placing them a half-game behind the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South standings.
Coach Todd Bowles did not hold back in his criticism of the players following the game, describing the loss as “inexcusable.” He challenged his team to “look in the mirror,” emphasizing the need for personal accountability. Bowles expressed frustration during a post-game address, stating, “You don’t make excuses. You got to f—ing care enough where the s— hurts. It’s got to f—ing mean something to you.”
The game shifted dramatically after the Falcons cut a 14-point deficit to 28-20 with Bijan Robinson‘s 6-yard touchdown run less than ten minutes from the end. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was intercepted by Dee Alford shortly thereafter, allowing Atlanta to capitalize with a 67-yard scoring drive. Although the Falcons failed on a subsequent two-point conversion attempt, they closed the gap to 28-26.
With just under two minutes remaining, the Falcons received the ball back after forcing the Buccaneers to punt. They began their final drive at their own 30-yard line with no timeouts. On a crucial third-and-28, quarterback Kirk Cousins completed a 14-yard pass to Kyle Pitts Sr., followed by a 20-yard connection with David Sills V on fourth-and-14. This set up Zane Gonzalez for a 43-yard field goal that clinched the victory as time expired.
Bowles attributed the loss to a lack of execution among the players, stating, “At this point, you’ve seen everything in the season. The coaches have done everything they can do. This is a player-driven team in the last four or five weeks. You’ve got to execute, and they’ve got to hold each other accountable.” He noted that accountability among a select few players has been a significant factor in the team’s struggles.
Looking ahead, the Buccaneers’ chances of winning the NFC South have diminished significantly. According to ESPN Analytics, if the Panthers win against the New Orleans Saints on December 17, 2023, the Buccaneers’ chances of capturing the division will drop to 35%. Conversely, their chances would rise to 76% if the Panthers lose.
Mayfield, who had all his wide receivers available for the first time this season, took responsibility for the loss. “This one is going to haunt me. It falls on my shoulders,” he said. “It’s not the defense’s fault. It’s my fault.”
The Buccaneers will need to regroup quickly as they face critical matchups in the coming weeks to salvage their season and maintain playoff hopes.
