Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Falcons-Bucs
October 27th, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
There’s something about the Buccaneer defense that brings out the best in Kirk Cousins.
It doesn’t matter what uniform Cousins is wearing, he continues to wear out Tampa Bay.
Although he didn’t shout out “You like that?’ when he walked toward Atlanta’s locker room Sunday, that collective groan from Buc Nation made the question moot as Cousins shredded the Bucs for the second time in 24 days. It marked the second time this season that Cousins threw four TD passes against Tampa Bay’s reeling defense.
This isn’t a one-year torment, either.
In his career, Cousins has completed 76 percent of his passes against the Bucs, with 14 TDs and only two interceptions. Sunday’s 31-26 triumph gave the 5-3 Falcons sole possession of first place in the NFC South and a season sweep of the Bucs.
Despite three giveaways, Tampa Bay’s offense kept humming without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The main issue during this 1-3 skid is on the other side of the ball, where the Bucs have allowed an average of 34 points as opposed to only 19.5 points during the 3-1 start. With the Chiefs and 49ers up next, the Bucs are staring at a real possibility of entering the bye week at 4-6, saddled with a 4-game losing streak.
“It’s frustrating whenever you lose,” said veteran Will Gholston, “but we have to keep fighting. It’s a long season, 17 games. Dig deep in your playbook and trust your coaches.”
Todd Bowles’ defense continues to disappoint.
There was no quit in the the home team — but there wasn’t much defense either as Atlanta rolled up 394 yards while converting 6-of-12 on third down.
A 129-yard ground game complemented Cousins, who missed only six times in 29 pass attempts.
With the game on the line in the final minutes, Atlanta faced first-and-22 from midfield. Cousins threw 8 yards to Drake London and then provided the game’s signature play when he scrambled up the middle for 13 yards. His 3-yard keeper on fourth-and-1 helped the Falcons milk the clock before the Bucs got a break when Younghoe Koo’s 46-yard FG try veered off to the right.
Baker Mayfield, who threw for 330 yards and three scores, took over down by five points but there was only 61 seconds left and Tampa Bay was out of timeouts. As Mayfield’s desperate final pass went awry, you had to wonder whether the division crown is also now out of bounds.
“The air is not out of the building,” insists rookie center Graham Barton. “We’ve got to continue to lean on each other.”
Here’s how the Falcons shook off a bad home loss to Seattle and took command of the NFC South:
* Falcons safety Jessie Bates continued to bedevil the Bucs with a forced fumble and an interception. He stripped Rachaad White of the ball on the second play from scrimmage, setting up a 36-yard TD catch by Kyle Pitts. His third-quarter pick at the Atlanta 8-yard line ended a nice drive engineered by Mayfield. Don’t forget it was Bates who punched the ball out of Bucky Irving’s hands at Atlanta just when it appeared the Bucs were on their way to victory.
Emerging Cade Otton.
* Cade Otton stepped up for the second consecutive week, grabbing a career-high nine receptions and scoring twice. He is developing into one of the NFL’s better tight ends and his downfield blocking has improved significantly. On this day, he reminded Buc fans of another No. 88 in creamsicle — Jimmie Giles.
* Once again, Mayfield proved to be a feisty leader and competitor. He never quits, but his turnovers were a problem for the third consecutive week. He has thrown 7 of his 9 interceptions during that span and Tampa Bay’s defense isn’t stout enough to overcome giveaways.
* The Bucs missed a golden opportunity to salute one of their own Sunday. With their throwback unis on display, it would have been the perfect time to induct James Wilder into the Buc Ring of Honor. This marked the second straight year the Glazers failed to make a selection. Maybe they are waiting to celebrate the 50th year of the franchise in 2025, but at the moment, it seems like a puzzling oversight.
* Remember when the Bucs were plagued by slow starts? Those days are over and Liam Coen should get much of the credit. Tampa Bay boasts a 70-31 scoring advantage in the opening quarter. The middle two quarters have been the problem.
* Raheem Morris is halfway to his “Race to 10” mantra that he loved to talk about during his 3-year tenure as head coach of the Bucs. He high-fived everyone in sight after the game as the Falcons opened up what is essentially a 2-game cushion atop the division. “We’re on to the next game, man,” Morris said. “The 1-0 mentality. We’ve got a tough team coming in next week (Dallas). It’s about where you want to go, right?”
More C.J. Brewer after two sacks today, says Ira.
* The Bucs continue to run the football with authority, averaging 4.6 yards. Inexplicably, Tampa Bay dialed up only 22 carries compared to 50 throws for Mayfield. That’s not a winning ratio, Mr. Coen, especially when Mayfield’s top two targets are sidelined.
* The overall defense wasn’t nearly good enough, but you can bet Todd Bowles noticed that C.J. Brewer registered both sacks against Cousins. More snaps for No. 95? You betcha.
* The only two players who dressed and didn’t see the field … Kyle Trask and Michael Penix Jr.
* Although the Bucs have squandered a 3-1 getaway, they can remain in postseason contention at the bye week by at least splitting their next two games. That won’t be easy, but the Chiefs aren’t scoring a lot of points and the 49ers defense is underachieving. Job 1? Give Bucky Irving more than 16 touches and see what happens.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:25 pm
Spot on.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:28 pm
If BA comes back tomorrow as HC we would win the SBthis year. Bowles is not a HC guy
October 27th, 2024 at 8:28 pm
Coen for HC….pull the plug Mr. Licht…its time….we’re sick of this talent being wasted….all the soft coverage, like you’re playing prevent with a lead at the end of a game….all the time…ITS STUPID!!!
October 27th, 2024 at 8:32 pm
What she said
October 27th, 2024 at 8:34 pm
worse defense in the league
October 27th, 2024 at 8:37 pm
Give
Bucky
The
Ball
Spot on, Ira.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:41 pm
Seriously? That’s all you have to say? Were you in a rush to post? Would appreciate more insight into your thoughts on Bowles and his short comings as a coach and defensive play caller. Where does this team go from here? Is Bowles, now 21-21, in jeopardy of losing his job? I feel Lovie Smith vibes here with Liam taking over for Bowles after this season as Bowles is clearly losing it as a defensive coach.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:44 pm
Just disgusted
October 27th, 2024 at 8:49 pm
Looking at the stats, and sure enough, it was exactly like I thought.
Baker threw that failed hail mary out of the back of the end zone from the 38.
Winston threw his game winning TD from the 38 with under a minute to go.
Both plays happened at almost the same time. Just remarkable how that worked out.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:51 pm
Ira, thank you for the wisdom.
What we need to read about in your next column – why does the defense keep repeating the same mistakes? That is a question that Todd shouldn’t be allowed off the hook from with pablum answers.
There’s no splitting these next two games with this “defense” that Todd has “developed.” Baker knows he’s got to score 40 a game to,have a chance to win and he’s pressing because of it, everyone should recognize that.
Thank you again.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:54 pm
Bucky was the hot hand. They didn’t go with the hot hand. Then they put White back in. He ran like he runs. And Mayfield needs to calm down. He is getting too juiced up with all the stimulants. Way too jittery causing too many mistakes. That’s why he is so up then down, not steady at all. Especially with this defense. Season is not over. Go BUCS
October 27th, 2024 at 8:58 pm
Bucswin! Says:
October 27th, 2024 at 8:54 pm
Bucky was the hot hand. They didn’t go with the hot hand. Then they put White back in. He ran like he runs.
———–
Meanwhile in reality…
Bucky, 4.9 yards per carry
White, 4.8 yards per carry
But don’t let actual, factual information get in the way of your fake news storyline.
With that said, Bucky looked great today – and they should use him more. Today they could have done that by giving Tucker (who avg 1.5 yards per carry) zero carries.
Also, if they’d use White more as a semi-slot WR, that would free up more touches for Bucky, and I’d be good with that.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:58 pm
11) Get rid of Coach Bowles and promote Coen.
It is pretty obvious Coen is elite as an offensive coach and Bowles defense is no longer effective. The Bucs have arguably the worst defense in the NFL.
October 27th, 2024 at 9:07 pm
We go 4-6, have the bye, get Evans back and go 5-2. Winning record of 9-7 but no wild card. New head coach?
October 27th, 2024 at 9:08 pm
Meant 9-8
October 27th, 2024 at 9:12 pm
I am so upset I cannot count. Good night y’all, sleep tight.
October 27th, 2024 at 9:19 pm
Toad Bowels can get bent. So sick of this loser.
October 27th, 2024 at 9:22 pm
Even in the expansion year of 1976, the Bucs defense was tough. Bucs fans are used to good defenses.
Bowels’ defenses are smoke and mirrors, magicians tricks, a charade. “The jig is up, they finally found me” to quote a lousy Kansas song.
He’s been found out.
It’s over.
He took two press man corners (Davis and Dean) and neutered them. Sent Davis packing. Davis must be thanking his baby geenius forgetting to play with a real head coach. Anyone talented on the defense has been neutered and regressed.
The Bucs can now neither rush the passer, play man coverage, play zone coverage, nor stop the run.
Otherwise, Defense Rules. ROFL.
October 27th, 2024 at 9:22 pm
they need to time the creamsicles better these group of players are going to relate it to losing
October 27th, 2024 at 9:32 pm
Fan outrage about the pathetic defense is too quiet.
October 27th, 2024 at 9:37 pm
Wearing the creamsicle is becoming pointless. They need to put it on the shelf until they induct someone or some specific time has passed like say after Todd Bowles is no longer head coach
October 27th, 2024 at 9:48 pm
Mayfield has advanced past the first round of the playoffs with 2 teams. How about Winston? Rod Munch. Watch Winston’s winning drive today. They didn’t deserve to win after the most boneheaded dropped interception he threw right before (the play before) the bomb. He has always been very talented but in life talent sometimes isn’t everything and your JW has apparently settled in as a backup. Seriously Rod. Watch the film – JW should have lost and I’ve never seen Mayfield do anything that boneheaded.
October 27th, 2024 at 10:01 pm
The Falcons are inconsistent and overrated. They will lose some games. The Bucs schedule is easy after the bye.
They may squeeze into the playoffs then get blown out by the first good offense they face.
October 27th, 2024 at 10:09 pm
Kenton Rod Muncher doesnt care about facts he suffers from Baker Mayfield derangement syndrome… I’m sure in real life he’s a shrill of a man
October 27th, 2024 at 10:14 pm
Bowles has to go. Anything is a waste of time.
October 27th, 2024 at 10:34 pm
11. Bench Britt and play JJ Russell and LVD and IF LVD is unavailable, play JJ and anybody else.
12. Run the damn ball. Oh wait….run the damn ball
13. Shake N Bake is not a gunslinger. He can manage a game, stop trying to make him throw 35-50 times a game. He’ll throw TDs AND INTs.
14. Why are the 49ers LBs sprinting to throws in the flat and making plays and ours aren’t. Oh…see #11. Perhaps, DeLoach is ready???? At least he’s fast enough
15. When is Bucs player leadership going to get some fire. I don’t see enough big hit, hard-nosed FIRE from this football team on Offense or Defense.
October 27th, 2024 at 11:07 pm
Next JBF headline should be “The Bucs ‘Tampa Who?’ Defense”
October 27th, 2024 at 11:32 pm
The Defense isn’t good enough.
October 28th, 2024 at 12:55 am
The defense is not good enough because of the players or the coaches or both? Is it the players not following or performing their assignments or is it the scheme itself?
October 28th, 2024 at 6:02 am
Excellent overview, Ira. Thank you!
So happy to see Brewer in the mix yesterday too.
I still view Cousins as a wild card. And the way Olsen was salivating over him was to the point of nauseating.
Both games against the Falcons were close, we had injuries, and the refs and no camera at the goal line didn’t help us either. The Falcons almost lost with all that going on. They are overrated with so much time left this season.
Coen is doing a good job. Possibly Saleh could come in and help Todd as a defense consultant as well as getting a pass rusher.
October 28th, 2024 at 7:49 am
It kinda sounds like Ira is starting to accept the loss of the division this year?
October 28th, 2024 at 9:57 am
ReallyJoe?? Are you watching the same defense as the rest of us?
This is the worst defense in 40 years !
Show me another year where we have given up this many yards in a eight game stretch! Unbelievable!
October 28th, 2024 at 11:53 am
RB1 should be Irving, Tucker 2
Rakim is 10X better than McMillan at this point
October 28th, 2024 at 1:22 pm
Enough of the Winston nonsense. The pass he threw before the TD should have been picked, an absolutely brutal pass.
And I like Liam, but we don’t need another Dirk hire. There’s lots of good coordinators, just get the best guy and don’t get desperate.
October 29th, 2024 at 5:21 am
Boles is a joke for a head coach. A lose in NY and and loser here.
October 29th, 2024 at 12:40 pm
Dave that’s a Styx song
Heyjude, Saleh is in green bay already and Olsen is a Bucs hater