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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered Week 14 with a chance to tighten their grip on the NFC South and build momentum for a postseason push. Instead, they delivered their most troubling performance of the season. A stunning 24-20 home loss to the New Orleans Saints (now 3-10), who were playing a rookie quarterback in miserable weather, has jolted the Bucs’ playoff outlook. It has also triggered legitimate panic across Tampa Bay. What should have been a routine divisional win became a showcase of defensive breakdowns and offensive misfires that leave the Bucs’ season hanging in the balance.
The Buccaneers didn’t play the Jaguars in Week 14. However, their upset loss to the Saints was every bit as impactful as any result across the league. In a rainy, inconsistent afternoon at Raymond James Stadium, rookie quarterback Tyler Shough stunned Tampa with two rushing touchdowns. Those included a remarkable spinning 13-yard score where he slipped past Vita Vea and Logan Hall to give New Orleans a fourth-quarter lead. Running back Devin Neal also contributed a 3-yard rushing TD earlier in the game. Meanwhile, Charlie Smyth’s 30-yard field goal tied the score at 17 midway through the second half.
For Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield posted a respectable 243 passing yards. He found Chris Godwin for a touchdown, but Tampa’s offense faltered in the moments that mattered most. Red-zone failures proved costly. These were punctuated by Emeka Egbuka’s dropped end-zone pass that forced a field goal attempt instead of a go-ahead touchdown. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers’ defense was overwhelmed. They surrendered 429 total yards and failed to record a single sack against a Saints team that has struggled for offensive rhythm all season. Though Rachaad White and Sean Tucker combined for 120 rushing yards, it wasn’t enough to overcome critical mistakes.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Tampa Bay Buccaneers panic meter after shocking upset loss against Saints.
The Buccaneers’ loss pushes their panic meter to 8 out of 10. That’s not just because of the upset itself but due to what it reveals about the team’s recurring flaws. Tampa Bay dropped to 7-6 and saw its divisional lead evaporate completely. Now, the Carolina Panthers are tied with them atop the NFC South. Everything that has plagued the Bucs this season was magnified in a game they had no business losing.
The biggest concerns stem from self-inflicted wounds. Red-zone inefficiency continues to haunt the offense, particularly in tight games. Going 0-for-2 on touchdowns inside the 20 was the difference between victory and defeat. The pass rush was equally concerning. Despite facing a rookie QB behind a shaky offensive line, the Bucs failed to secure a single sack. Shough was able to escape containment repeatedly. He extended plays and demoralized a Tampa defense built to dominate weaker opponents.
Even worse, the Saints’ 429-yard output marks one of the most porous defensive efforts of the Bucs’ season. Todd Bowles’ unit has been known for its...
