Was The Jet Sweep A Bad Call?
January 14th, 2025
Revisting critical fumble.
Joe sees a lot of howling comments from folks outraged that Liam Coen, the savvy Bucs offensive coordinator, called for a jet sweep late in the game deep in Bucs territory. Baker Mayfield botched the handoff to Jalen McMillan.
Four plays later Jayden Daniels threw a touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin and that turned out to be the ballgame.
Joe’s not saying these people are necessarily wrong.
Up in the press box on Joe’s laptop after the play, Joe had a looping replay of the NBC broadcast feed showing a tight portion of the field.
Now broadcast feed can be misleading. Very misleading. But Joe didn’t see a white jersey on the left side of the field where McMillan would have run the ball. Joe saw second-level Washington defenders actually crashing to the inside. It seems Coen had hoodwinked the defense.
Yesterday, a few statheads Joe respects were retweeting a message from someone named Theo Ash. The message was a plea for work, as this NFL analyst tries to make a living breaking down football videos on TikTok.
Thanks to the ill-conceived TikTok ban set to kick in on Saturday, Ash and many, many others will be out of work soon.
Ash also believes the jet sweep play was set up for a monster gain because of the lack of defenders on the left side. Ash noted that this season when Coen called this play, it almost always got good yardage. Once when defenders sniffed it out right away in Atlanta, Chris Godwin was held to just a two-yard gain but enough for a first down.
Ash also showed how Mayfield used two hands to attempt the hand off to McMillan, whereas in the past, Mayfield used one hand.
Is that why there was a fumble?
Had the fumble not happened, Ash noted, McMillan would have had a “very soft edge” as the only two defenders near the play would have been blocked by Tristan Wirfs and Rakim Jarrett.
However, Ash was only using the NBC broadcast feed tape to break down the play.
Joe will look at the All-22 today.
In all, this was an interesting breakdown by Ash. Joe wishes he heard of this guy long before TikTok goes poof.
Friggin’ luddite a-holes in Washington.
January 14th, 2025 at 12:22 am
The bucs were the ONLY HOME team to lose of the 6 games. It all came down to this one play. Jet sweeps are OK if the ball is tossed and not handed off. So, yeah. it was a bad call.
January 14th, 2025 at 12:28 am
I hated the play at Kentucky, & believe me he ran A LOT of ‘em. It rarely, ever ‘works’ at this level, & is basically a wasted play. I get it that it MAY open up a play downfield later in the game, & they have to respect it, keeping them honest, changing their perception and ‘eye-level’ and all that, but it’s just not worth-it (especially when backed-up). I would’ve preferred trying to get Baker in a RYTHYM there, with some TEMPO, & not allowing the ‘Skins to substitute. Or, even taking a shot downfield for once, over THAT. But, it’s like, whatever. It is what it is. Ya can’t ‘second guess’ EVERYTHING. Cause hell, IF it had ‘worked’ it would’ve been THE ‘greatest’ play-call, EVER.
January 14th, 2025 at 12:29 am
ALfred, a game I’d never decided by 1 play 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️….
C’mon man!!!
It was the little things this whole game that killed Tampa….
Commanders never even punted!!!!!! Think about that.
Bucs had only 7 offensive possessions….
Ridiculous…
January 14th, 2025 at 12:32 am
No, it was a great call. I cannot wait to hear the All-22 evaluation.
It was poorly executed. Baker has taken the blame, which he should as the QB. Even if it is not true. That’s what leaders do.
It’s over now.
Hopefully, the Glazers keep as many front office and coaches as possible. Hopefully, some top FAs give Tampa a look. And hopefully, they get some draft talent on par with this year.
The sting is there from a loss that could have been a win. Having sat through the back to back 2-14 seasons, and the entire debacle from 1983 to 1997, I really enjoyed this season.
I’ve been critical. But the team played hard in every game. Yes, they failed a lot. Still, the effort was there. I’ll take that.
Bowles will win a SB here. With Baker.
Believe.
January 14th, 2025 at 12:38 am
I noticed the ‘two hands’ there, too! I thought the whole thing looked weird. I don’t know if Baker got confused and just panicked a bit!? I assumed that maybe, it was supposed to have been a fake or something, when watching it in real-time. Whatever it was it sure wasn’t good.
January 14th, 2025 at 12:40 am
I would like to know whether there was a C/QB exchange snafu or if Jalen didn’t time his motion right. Nobody will admit it probably, but something different must have happened to screw up a play they have run and practiced many times. Yes, it could have been two hands on the ball as well, so I’m not exonerating Baker.
January 14th, 2025 at 12:44 am
I dunno…I think the last few games actually this guy was getting a little too cute with play calling for a team featuring a 5 yards per carry back.
January 14th, 2025 at 12:47 am
Washington did not punt one time…
Every drive for them was a long drive…
They easily won time of possession…
Washington chose to go for it on 4th down instead of take field goals a couple of times….
Bucs Defense was none existent…. This loss was solely on the defense…
One offensive play would not have been so critical if the defense did their job at least one drive….
Washington went for all the field goals instead of go for it 4th and goal and Bucs lose by many more points….
January 14th, 2025 at 12:56 am
DEAR JOE(S),
BUCS FANS REALLY WANT TO KNOW…
Why are the Bucs the only team in the NFL that can’t easily convert 3RD AND INCHES?
Seriously… why aren’t you guys hounding Bowles & Coen with this question?
The game wasn’t lost due to the fumble. That stuff happens. The loss is because we were down 20-17, at the Commanders 11 yard line, and we didn’t get a 1st down and had to kick the game tying FG. We convert that 3rd down and we are 90% likely to take more time off the clock and punch in a go ahead TD – making them have to score a TD to win not just a FG.
WHY WHY WHY… ???
Seriously…. Why don’t the Bucs have a dominant QB SNEAK/QB PUSH play like the rest of the modern league now does?
We have an All-Pro tackle, promising center, and other solid lineman that have done well run blocking all year yet they can’t get execute a QB Sneak for inches?
Why don’t we have a 3rd and inches play where VITA VEA is put in at guard to push the line for an easy “inches” pickup?
THIS is what needs to be asked of the Coaches.
January 14th, 2025 at 12:59 am
Well, it was a fumble, and it was one of several factors which led to the loss as well as not converting o that 2nd and one when the Bucs could have gone up 24-20 or the fact that Todd Bowels’ D did not force a punt and could not get off the field when it counted. That was the biggest factor contributing to yet another prime-time loss for Bowles. Man, I am going to miss Annie Agar on Tik Tok!
January 14th, 2025 at 1:12 am
Fans will be fans lol yea it was only a bad call because it didn’t work like that zero blitz against the Rams that’s sent them to the Super Bowl. No one’s complained about the jet sweep all year until now. It’s like Coen made the call then ran out on the field and kicked the ball out of bakers hands.
January 14th, 2025 at 1:14 am
My thoughts about the whole situation is, fix the defense and the Bucs have to find a way to play better and be more motivated in these important games. All this year and last year, the Bucs came out flat in important games. They can’t make it to the big game if this continues. ( just my opinion)
January 14th, 2025 at 2:40 am
I think trying to sneak Baker instead actually giving Bucky the ball. That just didn’t make sense. The Jet sweep was just poorly executed. We need to occasionally make a stop on defense. I think Bowles’ defense takes a step backward every year. Dick Lebeau’s defense is just a very old idea that had its day in the sun. Trying to guard receivers with edge rushers just won’t work if everybody already knows it’s coming.
January 14th, 2025 at 3:03 am
“Other than that Mrs Lincoln, how was the play?”
Basically how Joe sounds trying to rationalize an abysmal outcome. It’s almost like close doesn’t just count in horseshoes and hand grenades. I’m sure that will warm the hearts of the Bucs in Cancun this weekend…
January 14th, 2025 at 3:04 am
People wanna blame the Defense for this game too, but the O needed to get more than 20, this is not 1999.
January 14th, 2025 at 4:25 am
Hard to watch it again.
After viewing it again, I have to agree with B too. Makes me think it could have been another cute play call by Coen which have not been working. The cute plays didn’t do us any favors.
January 14th, 2025 at 4:37 am
Bad play call for what just happened. A 4th and goal stop that could have really been called DPI on LVD, ME14 just made the great 1st down stretch play AND you’re inside your 15yd line. Safe productive, bread and butter plays that move the ball and get 4-8 yds, not risky hand offs and trick plays. Wait until at least beyond the 30yd line.
Yes, wrong play for that moment.
January 14th, 2025 at 5:34 am
Most every intercepted pass over the middle could have been a big play, too.
January 14th, 2025 at 6:44 am
Jayden Daniels looks like the next Pat Mahomes. His passes are deadly accurate and he runs like Lamar Jackson. He did not make any mistakes and I think that is why we lost the game. Had we played the Vikings we would be moving on to the next round.
January 14th, 2025 at 7:13 am
Any play that is not executed properly and results in a fumble can be called a bad play. It is always a great play call when executed properly and no fumble. Execution and ball security is as much a coaching responsibility as a players responsibility.
Sht happens. Get over it.
January 14th, 2025 at 7:43 am
Call was fine. Just wrong side of the field to call that play.
January 14th, 2025 at 7:46 am
I noticed this play quite a bit and was just waiting for a botchd handoff from the first time I saw it. Dangerous play IMO. I think we had about a hundred better options.
I mean we have playmakers and more reliable options.
Go Bucs!
January 14th, 2025 at 7:54 am
How about a #4 offense going for a 4th & 2. Negative plays happen in the nfl. Fumbles are bad just as bad as an interception. This argument is why fans get ignored because it’s . Being mad at the offense carried the team ALL year fumbled the ball is pathetic and honestly just shows you have no faith in Todd Bowles defense. He doesn’t even know how to call a timeout
January 14th, 2025 at 8:00 am
In my one view real time opinion, it looked like a McM wasn’t intended to get the ball. Case in point, Baker held the ball with 2 hands and McM does not react when he doesn’t receive the ball. Maybe Baker has the option to pull out of it, but McM just stares at the ball on the ground and makes no attempt to dive on it. McM seems confused. Either way you slice and plate this turd, it remains a turd. I pin it on execution, not the call
January 14th, 2025 at 8:08 am
It was a good play all year for us, just botched execution in a critical spot. It’s a better play with Godwin or Shepard since they run well with the ball, but it has still worked fine with McMillan.
I’d even argue that it isn’t really a “cute playcall” for us, it’s just part of the offense. Guys wanna complain about coaches with predictable playcalling and then complain about plays like this too. Nobody complains when it works, which it almost always did all year.
January 14th, 2025 at 8:14 am
Joe, are you opening the door for political posts? I didn’t think that was this site was for? Perhaps I have been wrong.
January 14th, 2025 at 8:41 am
Looked like a muffed snap to me.
January 14th, 2025 at 8:47 am
Mayfield had two hands on the ball because he realized that McMillan had run past him and away and it was going to be a tough handoff. McMillan did not break stride to receive the ball. Mayfield took the heat. He should have just pulled the ball. A lot easier after the fact to say what he should have done.
Why didn’t Bucs get many turnovers this year. 1) Defense didn’t hit hard, 2) Defenders were never around the ball for interceptions. Bucs weren’t going to go anywhere in the playoffs with that defense. Defense job is to get the ball back quickly for the offense. That rarely happened this year.
January 14th, 2025 at 8:47 am
28-27 is the record under the Mensa candidate.
When your defense has more open holes than a porn star, you get F-d hard.
Until there’s a change in leadership this is our fate.
Do what I do, start putting money against them in big games vs quality opponents.
Trust me, you’ll clean up. Fire Bowles now!!!!!
January 14th, 2025 at 9:07 am
Great call!
Great players!
As fabulous as they are, they are human and make human errors sometimes.
But, they both brought superior value to the team this year, and they hopefully will bring much more in the years to come!
January 14th, 2025 at 9:09 am
Well Ball Hawk, I guess you lost a lot of money. Against Detroit covered the spread. Against Philadelphia covered the spread. Against KC covered the Spread. Against San Diego covered the spread. Stop imagining things. Throughout his career Baker has been great as an underdog…one of the best in the league. Also he had another near perfect QB rating against Washington.
January 14th, 2025 at 9:33 am
I don’t understand what is so different between TikTok and YouTube or Instagram and why he can’t move over there
January 14th, 2025 at 9:43 am
I think Gipper called this one. Baker realized the timing was blown and tried to force the handoff instead of holding the ball and maybe taking a loss.
January 14th, 2025 at 10:10 am
Tiktok, *fart noise.* Hope everyone that has it gets their identity stolen by China
January 14th, 2025 at 10:29 am
This defense is horrible. Bowles schemes are horrible. He’s very arrogant to insist he should be HC and DC. Take a good look in the mirror Todd. You and your staff are not as smart as you think you are.
January 14th, 2025 at 10:41 am
One play didn’t cost the game. The fact that the defense didn’t force a punt all game, and rarely contested any catches cost us the game.
That said, it’s a poor play call for that situation… QB Sneak, or Bucky up the middle or even the counter would have been a much better play call. Don’t get cute inside your own 20, period.
January 14th, 2025 at 10:49 am
I’m fine with the call. It’s unfortunate how costly that mistake was.
What I’m not fine with was trying to get stupidly cute on our next drive: we had 3rd and inches. All you do is have the QB fall forward and pick it up like every other team. Instead we try some dumb nonsense and completely screw it up.
What else I’m not fine with: Mike Evans was absolutely destroying Lattimore all game, but didn’t get a single target in our last 2 drives. Not one. WTF? Terrible game planning. Mike should she had 12 targets at least. He was on fire.
What else I’m not fine with II: The decision to basically stop using Rachaad White over the last month. Is it any coincidence our offense was stuck in the mud for 3 of our last 4 games once White’s role was reduced? I think not.
Many questionable calls by Coen to end the season.
January 14th, 2025 at 10:50 am
I got to watch the replay in slow motion of the fumble on Brian Baldinger’s analysis of the play, and while Mayfield took full responsibility for it, it is clear that it was Jalen’s fault. By the time Mayfield turned around for the handoff, Jalen is parallel with him and Mayfield has the ball stripped from his hands. If Jalen hadn’t been going so fast, then Mayfield would have been able to place it in his stomach.
January 14th, 2025 at 10:59 am
Jay Buc Says:
January 14th, 2025 at 10:50 am
I got to watch the replay in slow motion of the fumble on Brian Baldinger’s analysis of the play, and while Mayfield took full responsibility for it, it is clear that it was Jalen’s fault. By the time Mayfield turned around for the handoff, Jalen is parallel with him and Mayfield has the ball stripped from his hands. If Jalen hadn’t been going so fast, then Mayfield would have been able to place it in his stomach.
==================================
JayBuC,
Baldinger is right. If Brady had been doing the commentary Sunday night instead of Colinsworth, he would have said just what Baldinger did. Too many of these “fans” just believe whatever the commentators say. Brady is a QB he knew what happened. Brady probably woud have said McMillan blew the play and Baker should have just eaten it. Anybody watching Mayfield scramble should know that he isn’t wired to give up on a play. There was a lot more to that game than the fumble. Start with a defense that couldn’t force a punt and couldn’t get the ball back with 4:40 on the clock. Nice leisurely drive by the Commandos—ball game,season, see you next year.
January 14th, 2025 at 11:18 am
Yes, bad call but the far worse call was trying to draw a Dan Quinn, Coach defense offsides on third and inches.
It only backfired and confused us instead. No idea why Cohen didn’t just call us basic play and get 1 yard with our rookie sensation RB.
That was egregious. But that won’t stop the low IQ Bucs fans from anointing Coen the HC after 1 year. Laughable.
January 14th, 2025 at 11:20 am
And as much as I support Baker Mayfield, that play was 100% on him not Jalen McMillan
When you motion a player on a jet sweep, the quarterback has to get the timing right and failed and that regard.
I don’t know why people think McMillan is to blame there
January 14th, 2025 at 11:42 am
The problem isn’t the play. It’s the execution of the play. I can see if everything went smoothly and it failed to gain yards, then yeah it’s a bad play choice at that moment.
One play is everything in a close game. It’s silly to say otherwise.
January 14th, 2025 at 11:52 am
Tbbucs3 Says:
January 14th, 2025 at 11:20 am
And as much as I support Baker Mayfield, that play was 100% on him not Jalen McMillan
When you motion a player on a jet sweep, the quarterback has to get the timing right and failed and that regard.
I don’t know why people think McMillan is to blame there
=======================================
McMillan is to blame because he has to sync his movement up with the QB. Mayfield has his back to McMillan. If McMillan is to get the ball, he can’t run past Mayfield which he did. Mayfield should have just eaten it and either fallen down or rolled right. Again, a lot easier to say what should have been done. With Mayfield taking the blame, he really is saying the play was busted and he should have just eaten it. Mayfield is a stand up guy and didn’t hang it on the rookie.
January 14th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Thats false Gipper, Rewatch the play, the quarterback is in charge of the motion on that play and Baker snaps it way too late
It’s on the quarterback to make sure that the sync is right
McMillan was just doing what he’s Coached to do.
January 14th, 2025 at 1:39 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
January 14th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Thats false Gipper, Rewatch the play, the quarterback is in charge of the motion on that play and Baker snaps it way too late
It’s on the quarterback to make sure that the sync is right
McMillan was just doing what he’s Coached to do.
===================================
QB’s don’t snap footballs, centers do. Everyone should know the snap count including McMillan. He just got ahead of the play which is supposed to look like a typical receiver in motion play. All eleven guys are supposed to hear and know the snap count and coordinate their motions unless it is a silent count. Silent counts aren’t usually used at home by the home team. McMillan is a rookie and made mistakes this year. It happens. One obvious mistake was allowing a defender to wrestle a touchdown ball away from him on the ground in Dallas.
January 14th, 2025 at 1:46 pm
You can say coulda woulda shoulda all day long Many games are determined by one play. This one play could have gotten the Buc’s a W… But No! Good call, good enough call, very poor execution! There were others throughout the game too. Coulda, woulda, shoulda! But No!
January 14th, 2025 at 1:49 pm
“ QB’s don’t snap footballs, centers do”
????? Quarterbacks literally call the cadence to tell when the center should snap the ball.
January 14th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
And McMillan wasn’t even lined up wide on that play. Baker should’ve recognized that and snapped the ball way earlier than he did.
Baker is a great quarterback, Just made a terrible mistake in the worst possible time.
He will learn from it and bounce back
January 14th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
I don’t think the Jet Sweep was a bad call. A bit cute when it wasn’t needed, but if the fumble doesn’t happen, noone complains. The call I did hate though was the 2nd and 2 QB power by Baker Mayfield on the play before the botched 3rd and 1 snap. That was the call that annoyed me the most, and that was before the center screwed up the hard count on 3rd and 1.
January 14th, 2025 at 6:14 pm
Good call, not so good execution. It looked like McMillan was a step past Baker when he turned to hand off the ball.
Was Jalen running too fast? Did Baker take too long to make the handoff? Would it have mattered if Baker used 1 hand instead of 2? We’ll never know. We only know what happened on the play and what Washington did afterwards.