Buccaneers Cannot Catch a Break This Season

There comes a point where you need to come to terms with the fact that this year just isn’t your year. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are able to keep letting hope of a playoff appearance peek through thanks to an absolutely brutal NFC South, it’s time to come to the realization that we need to pack it in and prepare for next season.

First, let’s get one thing straight. I’m looking forward to next season more than ever right now. And it’s not because of the whole blank slate idea. However, it’s all due to the fact that things are starting to really come together on both sides of the ball. If they can add a couple pieces here and address some other minor issues there this offseason, the Buccaneers could really turn into a formidable all-around team in 2015.

All of this is a rosy outlook on an underlying matter which is that the Buccaneers cannot catch a break this season. After all, did you see the 12-men on the field debacle yesterday? Since the bye week in mid-October, the Bucs have played a lot better than their 1-5 record suggests. They say “it’s better to be lucky than good,” and the Bucs have further solidified that old adage this year.

The Vikings game came down to a game-tying field goal in the final drive in the fourth quarter and a fumble recovery to win it in overtime. The Browns contest was mired in controversy after an offensive pass interference call on Mike Evans which put the Bucs in a do-or-die fourth down and forever.

When they played the Falcons for the second time, Austin Seferian-Jenkins scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter and broke out a celebration which was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. The penalty shortened the field and following the ensuing kickoff, Atlanta was nearly at midfield. In the first half of their game against the Bears, the Buccaneers looked unstoppable. It seems crazy even writing that last sentence, but it’s true! Then, they just fell apart in the second half. One costly turnover after another, the Bucs kept the door open for a Chicago comeback and the Bears took advantage of every opportunity.

What if the Bucs recovered one of those fumbles or the opposing team dropped one of their interception opportunities? If luck would’ve been on their side a couple more times this season, maybe the Buccaneers are in first place. However, let’s not play the hypothetical situation card here. The Bucs are where they are. Now, it’s time to focus on ignoring all the negativity and continue fighting to the finish line.

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