The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to 0-4 with a 17-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
They had plenty of chances to win, but as has been the case all season, the Bucs simply couldn't finish the job.
Only one team in NFL history has reached the playoffs after an 0-4 start, so barring a miracle, this loss was the nail in the coffin for the Buccaneers' season. Here are 10 instant reactions following yet another frustrating defeat.
10 rapid reactions to Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 17-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers
1. Jalon Daniels showed some serious flashes, but some rookie moments as well. He finished 19-of-27 for 148 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed for 55 yards, a franchise record at the quarterback position. The Bucs lost, but Daniels should keep his head high as he showed lot of potential in his first-ever start. If he can clean up some of his mistakes, he can develop into a legitimate starting quarterback in this league.
2. Graham Barton is struggling, and the team might need to consider moving him to guard after the season and finding a more reliable center. Barton had a bad snap that almost went for a safety, and later let a blitzer run by him untouched to force a throwaway on a potential game-winning drive. Tampa Bay needs much better play from their 2024 first-round pick.
3. Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker each got more involved in the offense today, both finding the end zone — Tucker on the ground and Gainwell through the air. Those two, plus Bucky Irving, who rushed for 61 yards, make for one of the deepest running back groups in the NFL, and the Bucs should continue to get everybody involved going forward.
4. After catching an interception in last week’s game, A’Shawn Robinson passionately rallied the team at midfield before the game. He backed up his talk with a clutch forced fumble inside the 5-yard line to keep the Buccaneers alive. Robinson is a true leader for this team and deserves his flowers despite the loss.
5. Facing a banged up Packers offensive line, this had the makings of a get-right game for the Bucs' pass rush. But they didn’t get to Jordan Love for a single sack. Tampa Bay’s lack of a pass rush has been one of the most disappointing developments early this season after an offseason focused on bolstering the unit.
6. Josiah Trotter had a team-high nine tackles, and he’s led the Bucs in tackles in all three of the games he’s played so far. It wasn’t a perfect game for Trotter, and he had some missed tackles, but the 21-year old rookie has earned the benefit of the doubt that hell clean that up. He’s been the team’s best defender early in the season.
7. Cade Otton needs to hold onto the ball. Fans clamored for him to put on the gloves, and he did, and still inexplicably dropped a perfect pass from Jalon Daniels that would've went for a big gain. Otton did lead the team with 37 receiving yards, to be fair, but that is outweighed by the critical drop. Tampa Bay gave Otton a contract that pays bim $10 million annually, and he needs to justify that with more consistent play down the stretch.
8. Jacob Parrish had an incredible game with five total tackles, two passes defended, and an interception. The second-year cornerback continues to emerge as a quality starter and the team's best cover corner.
9. The decision to go for it on 4th-and-11 with a rookie QB, rather than attempting a 65-yard field goal with Chase McLaughlin was puzzling. McLaughlin is the NFL’s most accurate kicker from 50-plus yards, and drilled a 65-yarder last season. He deserved a chance to tie this game and send it to overtime.
10. Riley Dixon needs to do a better job as this team's punter, especially when he's being counted on so heavily due to a struggling offense. Dixon punted four times for an average of 40 yards. The worst punting average in the NFL this season belongs to Dolphins punter Bradley Pinion with a 42.6-yard average, so Dixon's performance today lands him among the league's worst punters. The Bucs need to find a replacement in the offseason.
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