The Tampa Bay Buccaneers embarrassed themselves against the New Orleans Saints, losing 30 to 10. The Bucs are now 2-6, have lost five games in a row, and their season is all but over.
The Buccaneers were completely out of their depth in New Orleans. The defense mostly held its own for the first quarter-and-a-half, with the lone touchdown the Bucs gave up coming off a blocked punt. And that’s about the only positive thing I can say about this game: the Bucs were terrible.
Jameis Winston had a poor first half, missing several deep balls again, but had to leave at halftime. He had reaggravated the shoulder injury he’s been playing through for weeks, and was replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick in the second half.
It didn’t take long for that second half to turn embarrassing. Midway through the third quarter, the Bucs were already down 30-3. Drew Brees was throwing the ball on the Bucs at will, with running back Alvin Kamara slicing through the defense as if it wasn’t even there, both on the ground and through the air. Kamara ended the game with 152 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the Bucs offense was completely incompetent, with Luke Stocker scoring the team’s only touchdown when the game was well out of reach. They’ve scored just 13 points in the last two games, and are quickly turning into one of the worst Bucs offenses I’ve seen—and that’s with many, many offensive weapons and a capable franchise quarterback, who is admittedly struggling with a shoulder injury.
To make matters worse, the Bucs suffered several key injuries. Donovan Smith had to leave the game with a knee injury, and did not return. William Gholston went down and was extensively treated on the field, and had to be stretchered off while wrapped up and immobilized.
The Bucs are now 2-6, and their season is virtually over. What should have been a return to the playoffs, a resurgent season for a promising young team, has turned into an outright disaster. And rather than discussing playoff scenario, we’re forced to contemplate coaching change options.