Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Falcons
October 4th, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
The Bucs had a clear path to win this football game. It was right there in front of them as a national audience looked on in prime time.
Then they stumbled all over themselves and ended up on the side of the road, broken down and beaten.
Tampa Bay almost overcame an awful defensive performance but in the end, the Bucs’ second-half offense was equally culpable in a hard-to-believe 36-30 setback in OT. Instead of bolting to a 4-1 start, the Bucs will now have extra time to prepare for another division road game at New Orleans.
It might take a while to get the bitter taste out of their mouths because they had every opportunity to beat the Falcons in a shootout. Atlanta just kept coming as Kirk Cousins threw for 509 yards, primarily against wide-open targets who exploited a soft secondary.
Poor tackling was a major problem all night, yet the Bucs appeared to be in control late in the fourth quarter before the crash.
With Tampa Bay ahead 30-27, Bucky Irving fumbled at the Atlanta 25 with 2:50 remaining. Lavonte David bailed Irving out with a fourth-down interception, but the offense failed to capitalize as a holding penalty by rookie Graham Barton took Tampa Bay out of FG range.
No timeouts remaining for Cousins — no problem.
A 46-yard drive set up a tying FG and the Falcons needed only three snaps in OT before KhaDarel Hodge put the Bucs out of their self-inflicted misery.
“I’ve learned in my short time in the league that the other team is never out of the game,” said Cade Otton. “Every team has playmakers. We did really well as an offense in the first half and thought we were in control but overall, we didn’t execute well enough to win this game.”
The loss spoiled a 2-TD effort by Mike Evans and a solid night for Baker Mayfield, who completed 19-of-24 passes. Rachaad White broke free for a 56-yard run and Sterling Shepard added a 4-yard TD catch, but a weary defense couldn’t get off the field most of the evening as Atlanta reeled off 81 snaps compared to 51 by the visitors.
Here’s how the Bucs failed to take advantage of a golden opportunity to open 4-0 in the NFC:
Career night for defensive tackle Logan Hall. Historic choke job by the Bucs.
* The pass rush was erratic, often giving Cousins a clean pocket, but Logan Hall was outstanding with a pair of sacks and five QB hits. Was this a coming-out game for No. 90? We’ll see how he fares in the Big Easy.
* Tampa Bay’s pass defense was up-and-down.through the first four games. On Thursday night, the Bucs hit rock bottom. It didn’t help that Antoine Winfield Jr. was out again and Jordan Whitehead was injured during the game. Still, there’s no excuse for so many blown assignments and so many wide-ass open targets for Cousins.
* If you’re going to back off receivers, you’d better tackle crisply. That wasn’t the case as Falcons receivers repeatedly turned upfield for extra yardage. Those yards after catch will infuriate Todd Bowles when he breaks down the film. One of the most egregious miscues came early in the fourth quarter when Atlanta faced fourth-and-4 from the Tampa Bay 12. Darnell Mooney spun away from rookie Tykee Smith for the score as the Falcons forged a 27-27 tie.
* Buc fans cannot believe the visitors lost a game in which Mooney dropped an easy reception on fourth down in the third quarter. There’s more: Younghoe Koo hooked a 41-yard FG after he was given a second chance to atone for a previous miss that was wiped out by an offsides penalty against the Bucs. He also had a FG try blocked by Tavierre Thomas with 6:29 remaining in regulation.
* Barton has a bright future, but this game tape won’t be kept in his highlight film vault. Besides the critical late holding penalty, he yielded a sack on third-and-3 from the Atlanta 7-yard line in the third quarter as he was overpowered by David Onyemata.
* Walking the sidelines before the game, I ran into former Falcons head coach Mike Smith, who served as Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator for 2 1/2 years under Dirk Koetter. Smith said he had just seen Bruce Arians the day before and noted that Arians turned 72 on Thursday.
* Cousins was so productive throwing the ball 58 times that the Falcons essentially abandoned their solid run game. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier combined for only 18 carries. Who needs a ground assault when Cousins was enjoying a career game?
* Spearheaded by White’s 56-yard burst, Tampa Bay finished with 160 yards on the ground. Mayfield was very effective escaping the pocket for 42 yards on six scrambles.’
* The Bucs scored 24 points on their first four possessions — and six points on their five second-half possessions. On a night Cousins was carving up the Buc secondary, Tampa Bay needed to match Atlanta’s firepower.
* This loss will take awhile to get over. Last year, a late TD catch by Otton rallied Tampa Bay past Atlanta on the road, sparking a late-season spurt to the NFC South title. The Falcons never recovered. The resolve of the Bucs is now about to be tested because everyone in the visitors’ locker room knew this loss was gift-wrapped.
October 4th, 2024 at 1:46 am
At some point we have to accept Bowles isn’t the guy. He’s never going change. He plays a scared, outdated, conservative style and he’ll always be a 9-8 coach. He’s Jeff Fischer
October 4th, 2024 at 1:52 am
Ira is a legend in how he writes. Some report the game results, Ira has it going on.
October 4th, 2024 at 1:53 am
Agreed, Hearty.
October 4th, 2024 at 1:53 am
Hearty’s point is as true as it being dark at 2am in Tampa. Has been that way.
October 4th, 2024 at 2:00 am
The fumble turnover with 3 minutes left in 4th quarter was the biggest play of the game. Bucs had reached Falcons’ 25 and were moving with momentum.
They would have likely run the clock under 2 minutes and scored a minimum of 3 points.
Despite a defensive stand ending with David’s interception, the momentum had changed and the Bucs’ strategy went from attack to force the Falcons to use timeouts.
Credit to Cousins- he took advantage of his end of game opportunities
October 4th, 2024 at 2:00 am
What’s sad is the Falcons have had GIFT WRAPPED games for their last 3 opponents they’ve played, including us.
Teams are just sharting on themselves at the very end.
It’s not anything the Falcons are doing specifically.
Falcons should NEVER be at 3-2 right now…
What a travesty….
Revenge game with them again in 3 weeks or so in our house…
October 4th, 2024 at 2:05 am
Ira has speaks the truth. What a crap performance from the defense. Except for Hall. He came to play. The ENTIRE SECONDARY…… DID NOT. They played SCARED! I watched David and Smith let the TE run right by them without even attempting to bring him down on one play. The playback revealed something I’d never seen before….. a CHICKEN SHAT Lavante David. Never seen that from him before but ….. it happened!
All Night Long there wasn’t anybody even near the vicinity of their receivers. It actually looked like they were paid off to let them win the game. I haven’t seen them play so lousy SINCE the days of Mike Smiths defense! JUST EMBARRASSING THEMSELVES ALL NIGHT LONG! WOW….
October 4th, 2024 at 2:12 am
50/50….that is the way of a Bowles team. Now the upcoming loss to the Stainks will put him right where he always is. 50/50 and heading for an 8-9 record this year. A loss to Carolina will be the topping on the cupcake coach.
October 4th, 2024 at 2:16 am
Tonight, Bucs’ players and fans were victims of the worst game management coaching fail in team history. Yes. There’s a lot of competition for that. Corrective action is necessary, and it’s going to have to come from Jason’s room. Or the Glazers’ room.
What’s sad – if the Bucs defenders would have wrapped up the Falcons receiver on their last completion in reg and walked him down the field for a few more yards, game over.
Situational football.
October 4th, 2024 at 2:58 am
Ira, did you ask Smitty if he called up tonight’s defensive schemes? Sure looked like his handiwork…….
Dave P: I agree with you: the common denominator in all of these gut punch losses dating back to the playoff loss to the rams is Bowles. OCs have come and gone but toilet Bowles is still head coach. Tonight he ran a soft vanilla zone D which got carved up and it seems like the offense was told to go Turtle down the stretch. Todd is also very slow to bench bad players (Britt reminds me of Ryan Neal, man we could have used Sir Voccea Dennis and yeah, Dean sucks but who can replace him)? Dave, if the Bucs end up losing the division because of this loss and do not advance further in the playoff than they did last year, I say the Glazers and Licht launch Bowles. JMHO.
October 4th, 2024 at 2:59 am
were too hard on this team right now. they were missing too many pieces to compete, but yet they did compete. someone has to lose this game. take care of business when birds visit ray jay and its ok.
and to the Bowles haters, MOST coaches wish to be 9-8. only a handful are truly dominant. you think falcons fans would have buried Morris for Mooneys drop if that cost them the game?
October 4th, 2024 at 3:18 am
Given the injuries is there a worse defensive back field than the Bucs? I means the only starter left is softie Dean.
October 4th, 2024 at 3:24 am
Dave Pear made a very interesting observation. Stop the ball carrier and wait for help to tackle him. Just the same One second!!! Yeeesh!
October 4th, 2024 at 3:28 am
Nick,you are half right. Bucs personnel was depleted but they played hard. But bowels is weak and so is Morris.
October 4th, 2024 at 3:38 am
Zyon played great. Dean needs the Diva White treatment when Winfield comes back and Izzy can be moved up. Dean was so horrible – of course he’s being coached to not let anything over his head so in that regard he’s succeeding.
October 4th, 2024 at 3:46 am
Stop with the Bucs lost, or stumbled, nonsense. The game was stolen. It was over. Facemask. 15 yards, 1st down, the game is over.
The Bucs were the better team, they beat the Falcons, then the refs changed the outcome.
October 4th, 2024 at 4:51 am
I’m so disgusted I can’t sleep. That’s why I prefer Sunday 1pm games. Bowles ought to be fired after this last ” they weren’t where they were supposed to be”. Has this guy ever overseen 2 good defensive performances in a row? Sometimes I hate being a fan of this team.
October 4th, 2024 at 5:44 am
Ira, great read as always. Saw your cameo on Fox pregame too. I was hoping you were right on your final score.
Happy belated birthday to Bruce A!
The Falcons are here at the end of the month. We should be healthier too and on our field.
I don’t think anyone slept after this game. It was a tough one. I love our Bucs, and they will pick their-selves up and rebound. Like they have done so many times before.
October 4th, 2024 at 6:22 am
Nah I don’t want to use injuries as an excuse. Usually I would be understanding, but we can play so well, usually with the injuries (Eagles game, Detroit). We haven’t had a full squad all year. This loss was inexcusable. 2 times they scored touchdowns on 4th and long! They’ve also let teams convert on 4th and long several times this year. It’s to the point where I’m arguing with the announcers who say “wow 4th and forever” nah Herbie they’ll convert, don’t worry. It’s sickening.
It’s part of the reason I will never vote more than confident for Bowles. It’s crazy how BA hyped him up as this risk taker, and then as head coach he’s the opposite. How many times do we have to have the same lesson? Don’t let your foot off the gas. I mean the Falcons humiliated us 56-0. We’ve been the laughing stock of the NFL if not sports for years. Stop being scared!
I guarantee Bowles told Coen to ease off, but the problem is our rushing offense stinks! We have an undersized RB and an out of position WR for our RB. At this point put Tucker in instead of White. I’ve seen enough. He can’t hit/find the holes unless they’re a mile wide. Tucker and Bucky can catch. I’ve seen them. Put White on the outside if you want to use him in the passing game. Use him with jet sweets. I’m tired of the same thing destroying us every week.
October 4th, 2024 at 7:12 am
When Joe ran his poll of who will win this game, I and a few others voted “not sure.” And it’s why the outcome was so unpredictable right down to the final seconds. When the game went to overtime, and Atlanta won the coin toss, it was only then that I had a clear vision of the winner. Atlanta was going to win this game! Given what had transpired the previous 60 minutes, I just couldn’t envision our defense stopping them.
October 4th, 2024 at 8:26 am
Atlanta is a solid team. We went into their house down possibly our two best defensive players, down our second best offensive lineman, down our 3rd and 4th WR, down our key pass coverage linebacker, and then lost our second starting safety. It’s one game. People need to not freak out. This is a good team and hopefully if we get a little healthier things will get cleaned up. Logan Hall had two sacks…LOGAN HALL. He’s on pace for 10 this season. Imagine once Kancey gets back, we could be in a situation where we can often get home with rushing 4.
October 4th, 2024 at 8:38 am
Constantly out coached
October 4th, 2024 at 8:44 am
I waited until this morning because I too wanted to puke last night.
Now in the morning with a little more “objectivity” I feel like I saw a good game between two pretty evenly matched teams.
But I agree with Rod the Munchman. The Bucs were the better team but not by much. The Falcons had injuries as well but the Bucs are minus their very best defender.
Yes Vita is a game changer and LVD is still LVD, but without Winfield’s play last year the Bucs literally do not make the playoffs. He is a true game changer in a position with real opportunity to change games…I think Winfield is pushing Troy Palamalou territory and may reach Ed Reed territory.
The verdict obviously is still out on Calijah till he gets healthy but he flashed enough last year to show game changing ability as well.
The biggest question that has hovered around the Bucs is QB. Is Baker the real deal? I’ve been a Baker fan but he’s even exceeded my expectations. He’s matured and knows HIS game and what HE can contribute. He’s made some, yes I’m going to say it, Tom Brady like throws into incredibly tight windows. And he’s used his legs to do what Brady never did his entire career. Brady was not a particularly “brave” QB!
Get an RT or hope Skuke speeds up his learning curve, the RB’s looked good last night except for Bucky’s rookie fumble which basically turned the momentum.
Last night was actually a confirmation if disappointment for me that the Bucs are the real deal when HEALTHY!!! Winfield is the straw that stirs the D drink.
Do we think he would have been out of position on so many plays?
October 4th, 2024 at 8:46 am
Gosh, If we only had a HOF receiver or a WR having a great year to get the ball to in clutch situations. How is it even possible to have a first down on the Falcons 28 with under a two minutes left and the momentum of a dramatic interception and wind up PUNTING???? What a monumental choke job. A peewee league coach could have won the game. Why is it that after almost 50 years of watching every single Bucs game you still have to sit on the edge of your seat dreading what might happen. I get so d@## mad hearing “that’s the same old Bucs.” Sick of a coaching staff that plays scared and refuses to improve a terrible D line and secondary. Maybe all of those draft picks they bragged about making the team should be selling insurance. Disgusting…enough said
October 4th, 2024 at 8:52 am
Rod launch says I agree the bucs won this game & that face mask a 2nd grader wud have seen that neck breaking pull WTF
October 4th, 2024 at 8:56 am
That face fask was a nearly 360° ripoff
October 4th, 2024 at 9:01 am
I woke up pizzed. And will be for a,while.
October 4th, 2024 at 9:19 am
Besides Vea and David the Bucs have no play makers on defense. Whitehead was also on the sidelines during the 2nd half.
October 4th, 2024 at 9:21 am
Hall has three sacks in last two games. All of a sudden he looks big and athletic and tenacious.
Vea already has about three sacks, too. Slimming down has helped.
If they could get that porcelain doll Kancey out there, they could really be something down the stretch.
Britt sucks. Keanu Neal would be better on third downs, at least.
October 4th, 2024 at 9:26 am
At the end of the day, the Bucs had the opportunity to shut the door with the offence. Baker/coaches chose to give up and dump it off for no gain instead of throwing to an open Evans for the TD. So they put it in the hands of the defense who were allowing the Falcons to score at will. Sad so sad.
I’m not use it. Brady/Patriots almost never ever give away a game. The Bucs seem to do it at least a couple times a year.
October 4th, 2024 at 9:35 am
I’m only sticking because I’m cheering for Evans in his HOF quest.
I’m also curious to see how good of a QB Baker is. He’s a top 15 that’s undisputed but can he be a top 10 or even a top 5. He failed big time.
You want to see a top 10, you only have to look across the field at Cousins. Confident and go for the win attitude. When Brady was in shootout games like yesterday, he didn’t trust his defence to win. He took it upon himself and leaned on his best players. Cousins did that while Baker essentially ghosted Evans in the 2nd half.
October 4th, 2024 at 10:06 am
Bucs will never be more than average with Bowles as HC. This was a choke job of epic proportion. Like Texans game last year but worse bc it was a divisional opponent. Glazers need to realize Bowles is not the answer going forward.
October 4th, 2024 at 10:20 am
I have never understood the urge by coaches to turtle in the final stages of a close game… when the defense KNOWS you are going to run is the exact, perfect time to NOT RUN the ball, but hit a short screen or over the middle dunk and hope you catch them off guard for a big play.
When I am play calling, that is exactly what I do (fair warning to all you middle school coaches in SW Ohio )
October 4th, 2024 at 10:43 am
ATL abandoned the running game in a SHOOTOUT. The Bucs ran the ball 27-TIMES. They threw-it… 24. Take out that one 56-yarder, & I bet they didn’t hit a 4.0 yard average… But, they STILLLLL INSIST on running the damm BALL, when 9X outta 10, it puts them squarely behind the ‘8-Ball,’ kills momentum, and stalls drives. And, it’s STILL just too SLOW. Slower and SLOWER they get as the further and further they go down the field. Especially, as soon as they cross midfield… They’re immediately ready to and good with ‘settling’ for a long FG. Even SLOWER in the RedZone when it should be the exact opposite. They’re definitely NOT wearing down ANY defenses, that’s for sure. That opening drive versus the Eagles… Wasn’t it something like 11-PASS Plays to only 1-RUN!? I ‘thought’ they’d FINALLY figured it out!!!! Nope. Of Course. NOT. This is a Passing TEAM. This is a Passing LEAGUE. It is the YEAR 2024, goin on 2025… THROW. The. Damm. BALL. Go FASTTTTTT.
October 4th, 2024 at 10:48 am
StPete I’m with you.
The best it’s yet to come. 3-2 is where we are at.
I’m looking forward to a healthy defense along with Luke at RT. Then we will FBake the NFC!!!!!!
October 4th, 2024 at 12:14 pm
The Atlanta game was a win turned into a loss! LC must learn to keep the foot on the gas for 60 minutes. Yes you can run some, but with these players you must control the game thru the air! You did it last week and for about 30 minutes yesterday! That’s the way to wins with this team even when your defense is giving up 500 yards!
The Saints will play a lot of man coverage. That’s how they beat this team consistently! LC, you need to scheme open quick passes to win in New Orleans! If not this team will fade!
October 4th, 2024 at 12:16 pm
Set up the run with passes
October 4th, 2024 at 2:05 pm
How about that dirty hit block on L David by Chris Lindstrom? He went straight for his Knee. He should be fined and suspended. Liam Cohen should of called 3 kneel downs and kicked the FG after David INT. How about the 2-3 times they did hurry up on 4th down and converted. I was screaming at Coach Toilet Bowles to maybe use a Timeout and get the Def. Called and Set. How do you miss a Face mask where Bucky’s head was twisted all the way to the side? Jason L, how is the Choice between Dean and Davis looking? KJ Britt needs to be dumped. Could anyone else on the Roster be worse? Also, Jason L. Please listen. You need to find out if Coach Toilet Bowles told our Promising and Legit looking OC to take his foot off the Gas in the second half and play conservative. If he did, You need to grow a pair and fire Bowles.
October 4th, 2024 at 3:12 pm
BradyGronk Fan … what? Cousins is not better than Baker. Cousins did what he was told and hit wide open guys in soft coverage. He also had the benefit of playing from behind with little to lose. He also had all day. He can’t run or escape pressure like Baker.
Baker has won more than him. Look at what Darnold is doing in Minny with one of the best coaches in the league. Kirk had to have the luckiest season in one score game history to even make the playoffs then lose to the Giants. With Jefferson and Hockenson and Addison and Cook and Danielle Hunter… please. He just won the biggest game of his season and Falcons are 2:30 mins of opposing teams hurting themselves or else they are 0-5 and Cousins is looking at the bench.
October 4th, 2024 at 3:41 pm
Every game the incompetent Bowles and Licht are here will continue to doom this team. Both should’ve been fired after last year. Until the Glazers wake up this team will go nowhere.