Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 Takeaways from 42-14 loss to Tennessee Titans
By David Rumsey
Sep 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) and Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hug after their game at Raymond James Stadium. The Titans defeated the Buccaneers 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Expectations have to be lowered now
It is definitely safe to say that Jameis Winston and the Bucs underwhelmed on Sunday. Winston is certainly not a lost cause, but he is clearly not ready to be the savior just yet. He can develop into that, but it will take time.
In a weak NFC South, I was one of the many who thought the Bucs could make a run at the division title if the chips fell right. I think that plan included a win against Tennessee, though. It was just one game, but that one game told us a lot about where the team is at right now.
From the way they looked, I can unfortunately see another beat-down or two before the Bucs actually figure things out. The Saints are not a strong as they once were, but if Marcus Mariota can make the Bucs defense look like a practice squad unit, what will Drew Brees to do it?
Unless Lovie Smith pulls out a miracle, the Bucs probably can’t expect to have a chance at getting their first win until they play Jacksonville in week 4. The Falcons still have to play tonight, but so far it’s clear the Bucs are still at the bottom of the division.
It’s not what fans wanted, but right now the Bucs just have to try and stay competitive in games and not worry about the outcome. It turns out the people who said the Bucs were in total rebuild mode were right.
So forget the development of Jameis Winston right now, until Lovie Smith turns his defense into a respectable unit, nothing else about the Bucs really matters.