I am a bit behind with my recap this week, because I went down to Tampa to see the Buccaneers in action with my own two eyes.  Here are my observations from the 31-26 loss to the Falcons:

*The defense is the biggest problem on this team, bar none, especially the pass defense.  They cannot cover.  They cannot tackle.  There was little to no pressure on Kirk Cousins.  Todd Bowles’ defense has given up 135 points in the last four games.

*Baker Mayfield threw three touchdowns and two interceptions.  Both INTs were in Atlanta territory.  But the Bucs did score 26 points in their first game without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

*Bucky Irving is already a fan favorite down in Tampa.  He was making guys miss left and right on Sunday.  Yet in the second half, he all but disappeared from the gameplan.  Why?  And Sean Tucker, who was NFC Offensive player of the week two weeks ago, saw limited action.  Again, why?  There was no need to abandon the running game, which has come alive over the past few weeks.

*A fake punt…on your side of the 50?  Are you serious, coach?  Atlanta was not fooled, and converted that into a touchdown, on a play in which there were no defenders within 10 yards of Bijan Robinson, who strolled into the end zone.  I am so sick of seeing opponent’s best players going uncovered.

I am convinced that Antoine Winfield knocked the ball out of Kyle Pitts’ hands before it crossed the goal line.  Everyone else at Ray-Jay felt that way, too.  And why is it that, in 2024, there isn’t a camera on the goal line in every single stadium in the NFL?

Bottom line: Bowles was out-coached again, and the Bucs made more mistakes than the Falcons.  That is why Atlanta has, in essence, a 2-game lead in the NFC South because the Falcons own the tiebreaker.