Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Panthers
December 1st, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Had it all the way.
The Bucs took advantage of some major breaks to avoid a broken heart Sunday during a 26-23 OT victory at Charlotte that left Carolina fans stunned and Buc Nation elated.
The Panthers had the better of play for much of the afternoon before dynamic rookie Bucky Irving took command and Baker Mayfield rebounded from what looked like a serious leg injury.
The result, coupled with a loss by the reeling Falcons, leaves Tampa Bay and Atlanta tied atop the NFC South at 6-6. The Falcons own the tie-breaker edge with five games remaining, but the schedule favors the Bucs and Kirk Cousins is playing so poorly, the calls for rookie Michael Penix Jr. under center are sure to grow.
The Panthers have been playing good football for a month now under former Bucs OC Dave Canales — and it showed. Carolina led 13-10 at the half but could have easily been up double digits if not for two makeable field goals that were missed and a potential TD catch by Adam Thielen that was ruled incomplete and upheld upon review.
Various heroes rescued the Bucs from what Ira Kaufman called a “sloppy and lethargic” performance.
The Bucs looked sloppy and lethargic in the opening 30 minutes, going 0-for-5 on third down and committing thoughtless penalties.
Then it was Irving to the rescue as he rushed for 116 of his 152 yards after the half before being sidelined by a hip-pointer.
Thielen got his revenge with a scoring catch that gave the Panthers a 23-20 advantage with only 30 seconds remaining in regulation, but Mayfield drove Tampa Bay into FG range for Chase McLaughlin.
In OT, Thielen’s sensational one-handed reception gave Carolina a first down at the Buc 34. All appeared lost before Anthony Nelson stepped up with the game’s biggest defensive play, stripping the ball from Chuba Hubbard.
YaYa Diaby fell on the loose ball as Buc fans rejoiced Mike Evans and Rachaad White then sparked a game-winning drive as the Bucs evened their division record at 2-2.
Coming off an OT setback against the Chiefs, Carolina walked off the field demoralized. The Panthers had this game in their grasp — until they didn’t — and the Bucs realize they got away with a pedestrian effort.
Here’s how Tampa Bay kept hope alive, knowing a 4-1 stretch run will likely be good enough for a fourth consecutive division title:
* With his 28 touches, Irving responded with 185 yards from scrimmage, repaying Liam Coen’s confidence in a fourth-round steal. He’s averaging 5.5 yards per carry and Irving is only 268 yards away from a 1,000-yard rushing season. Only that troublesome hip-pointer stands in his way.
* Nelson played a strong game overall with six tackles and three QB hits against Bryce Young, who has looked like a different quarterback in the past month, throwing only one pick in that span. Overall, the Buc pass rush was underwhelming, although Calijah Kancey had a few standout moments.
* While the run blocking was stellar, Tampa Bay’s offensive line rarely gave Mayfield a clean pocket. He was sacked four times and Carolina’s pressure contributed to two interceptions. Although the Bucs rolled up 445 yards, they converted only 2-of-12 on the money down and scored only two TDs in five trips to the red zone.
* Coen’s worst call of the day came with the Bucs clinging to a 17-16 lead with 3:15 left in regulation. They faced third-and-1 at the Carolina 2-yard line, with a chance to go up eight points. White carried wide to the left and was stopped for a 6-yard loss as the dejected Bucs settled for a FG. Even analyst Mark Schlereth, not known for pointed comments, couldn’t believe the Bucs didn’t call for a run between the tackles.
* Evans came up big time and again with 118 yards on his eight catches. He gave the Bucs an early 7-0 lead when he reached up with his right hand and hauled in Mayfield’s high fade pass to the left corner of the end zone while keeping both feet inbounds. We’ve seen No. 13 do it before, but you have to appreciate how he made an exceedingly difficult catch look routine.
* The first half was almost unwatchable. There were penalties galore, missed tackles, missed field goals and a general lack of precision from both teams. Where was Tampa Bay’s sense of urgency?
Kicker Chase McLaughlin
* For the second consecutive week, Chris Izien may have been Tampa Bay’s best defensive back. The kid can play.
* Buc fans shouldn’t take McLaughlin for granted. His 51-yarder that tied the score on the final snap of regulation was clutch. On the rare times he misses a kick, it’s a shock.
* You had to wonder what Kyle Trask was thinking when Mayfield re-entered the game after sitting out only two snaps injured and promptly threw a pick that set the Panthers up at the Tampa Bay 20. Trask had just attempted a single pass, matching his total for last season.
* The Bucs have been established as 7-point favorites at home against the Raiders, who have dropped eight in a row. You can bet Todd Bowles will train his focus on rookie tight end Brock Bowers, off to a terrific start in the pros. Meanwhile, Coen will try to find a way to contain game-wrecker Maxx Crosby. who has 34.5 sacks and 86 QB hits since 2022. Other than those two studs, the Raiders stink.
December 1st, 2024 at 10:17 pm
I thought Coen said our 3rd string running back would get more carries?
December 1st, 2024 at 10:28 pm
This game wasn’t anything to get excited about unless your last name is Irving. Mayfield wasn’t moving the ball, it was Bucky and his blocking.
Again either corn or Bowles make the same mistakes and don’t learn. Rashad White should not be on the field on any running play when you need a yard. Give it to Tucker up the gut for a yard or Irving if he isn’t hiurt. We lost a game a few weeks back when White couldn’t get a yard.
And then there is the Buc defense that Bowles continues to trust at the end of games. Only a rare forced fumble by Anthony Nelson got the Bucs the win. The Buc defense continues to be horrid vs average passers.
It’s good they won but the lethergy when it’s money time and the penalties is on the coaching and prep.
They came into this game as if the Panthers were layovers.
Just can’t be confident with the such an unmotivated performance in a do or die scenario.
December 1st, 2024 at 10:33 pm
Agree with Ira–Crosby aand Brock Bowers are the 2 best players.
December 1st, 2024 at 10:36 pm
If the Bucs aren’t careful, the Raiders will come into Tampa and beat their a**es.
Raiders also went toe to toe with the Chiefs.
Win out or die.
December 1st, 2024 at 10:43 pm
Winfield isn’t I even the best safety on this team. Bucs going nowhere as long as Bowles is here and the Glazers know it!
December 1st, 2024 at 10:44 pm
We are not a very good team. We can talk about playoffs but we are not built to get very far.
December 1st, 2024 at 10:51 pm
As the saying goes, a win is a win. We finally caught some breaks
At key moments. The better team lost today, however both games
Against Atlanta and San Francisco went that way. We were due
A very ugly game finally goes our way.
December 1st, 2024 at 11:14 pm
AMI Chris, are the lions and eagles playoff teams???…….
December 1st, 2024 at 11:25 pm
Tucker has lost the confidence of the staff. He fumbled twice last week. That’s why he isn’t in on that 3rd and 1. We all wanted Bucky but he was hurt. I’m ok with White there but run it up the middle or do a sneak with Mayfield although he was hurt too and probably couldn’t get much push with his injured Achilles.
December 1st, 2024 at 11:27 pm
Glad they survived a terrible game by Baker.
They’re going to happen, hopefully Baker doesn’t get into one of his slumps like last year where he’s awful for weeks at a time. I think he’ll be OK, but can the idiots out there shut-up about MVP and HOF?
Anywho Baker has mostly played well this season – the Bucs don’t need him to be perfect in this stretch, but he can’t again this year play like he played today, because the Bucs can only afford to lose, at most, one game the rest of the year.
December 1st, 2024 at 11:35 pm
In spite of all the terrible play, we won.
Plenty of blame to go around.
In the end, victory was achieved.
Credit to all that hung in there and kept fighting.
Praise Jesus for a weak schedule.
LFG!!!
December 1st, 2024 at 11:58 pm
I disagree on the O line. Most of the pressure and sacks were on Baker holding on to the ball or creating his own pressure.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:14 am
That whole game was nearly unwatchable for Bucs fans. Bucky and Mike the bright spots no doubt.
Agreed on Izien, I don’t know his coverage stats but he showed up again with a couple good tackles near the LOS. Todd is lucky he has a constantly injured secondary, otherwise he would have no excuse for Britt and some of these other LBs in coverage or Kancey and Vea for that matter, being in coverage!
Love McLaughlin.
I don’t trust Todd to shut down Bowers at all unfortunately, but I’m sure Ameer Abdullah won’t get far.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:15 am
Whites run on 3rd and 1 was supposed to go between the tackles, but he has no vision or toughness so he thought to bounce it outside and lose 3 yards. Put bucky in or tucker
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:18 am
Algo Rhythm on overdrive tonight, unlike the Bucs defense and their uncoordinator.
Inquiring fans want to know why the defense continues to give up 15 yard completions for free at the end of halves, end of games, and overtimes. Every.Single.Time.
I would love to hear someone ask Jason Licht for his opinion on the matter. Joel Glazer. The beer vendors. We are all curious.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:19 am
But, Really, Todd is great. Todd is good. Todd bless the Bucs.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:58 am
If Bowles is lucky maybe another Starting tight end will be hurt for him.
December 2nd, 2024 at 2:25 am
Let’s try to be gentle, maybe Algo will grant me mercy.
During the next available opportunity with the defensive coordinator of the Bucs at the microphone, please, Joes, Ira, any/all, please ask him the Questions regarding his regressing defense and his refusal to do anything to change it. We know you all have access to the same All22 footage as we do, and that you are far more informed and motivated than we are. And know what we are seeing because you are seeing it too.
You know the questions. Please, for us, ask the questions and keep asking them. We know he’s not going to answer, that’s fine. Jason and the Glazernauts all need to know that we know what they know and support their planned changes. This is unsustainable. It’s unwatchable. That’s bad for Buc Business.
December 2nd, 2024 at 3:58 am
Hey…. Team Positive, Bucs win Bucs Win BUCS WIN!!! In the end Baker was clutch and helped us win
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:42 am
We must be looking at different game. I don’t know about Izien being a stud. We need Teke back. I feel Winfield is trying to do too much. It’s just now teams spotlight him on blitz.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:57 am
Todd Bowles is about as dynamic as a box of turnips. He’s a massive liability compared to other HC’s. It took a miracle turnover to save his sorry ass from losing ANOTHER hugely important game. The Bucs win in the end miraculously but I’m itching to vote in the next Bowles confidence poll.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:59 am
In regard to Baker’s “bad” game I have a feeling the All-22 is going to show Buc’s receivers were not open throughout the game from what I saw.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:29 am
Let’s not forget how needing one yard to ice the game with a first down, the Bucs paraded White to run the ball and for the third time in three games he couldn’t get a yard.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:06 am
Ira? I have never known you to sugar coat the truth or minimize it. However “pedestrian effort” is a tremendous understatement sir. Bucky, Nelson, LVD and Mike were the only ones who looked like they were not in a hurry to get home because they were missing their stories.
Been here since 76 and suffered through some disgusting football to include that first year when a bad college team could have put it on us. Never was disgusted after any win…till now.
Go Bucs!
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:42 am
Baker was horrible but blame Todd Bowles. You can’t make this stuff up
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:27 am
Getting ready for a nail-biter overtime game against the Raiders. *eye roll
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:32 am
This was a terrible effort overall. We had WAY too many pre-snap penalties (at least one on every drive??). Our blocking against their blitzes sucked. Run game mostly was working. But we only ran 1-2 rollouts, despite the pressure. WHY? And why, for god’s sake, do we try a pass on 3rd and 1 with a QB who just came back from a mangled foot? Give it to Bucky! or Tucker! (NOT White).
Don’t get me started on the ‘bend but don’t break’ defense, which bent and broke most of the afternoon. How about our cover guys play somewhere in the same time zone as the receivers? Their receivers were running open all day… ours were making contested catches because there was no separation.