5 winners (and 2 losers) from Buccaneers 21-18 win over Panthers

Loser: Chris Godwin, WR

Here’s something that will blow your mind: the Bucs won a game in which both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin scored touchdowns. Sunday was the first time all season that such a thing happened, as Godwin scored his first touchdown of the year in the fourth quarter.

It was an important score, and ended up being the difference in the end, but it was also strangely a source of frustration.

Godwin scored a rushing touchdown, finishing the game with more carries than he had receptions. Making matters worse is the fact that he was only targeted three times, and one of those turned out to be his second drop of the season.

He was battling a neck injury, which might have played into it, but the mystery remains as to why Godwin has essentially been a rumor all season long on offense.

Most of the fingers are being pointed at Dave Canales. This isn’t the first time he’s failed to scheme Godwin into the offense more, and the touchdown felt both accidental and also desperate. It’s no coincidence that the Bucs offense looks a lot better when Evans and Godwin are getting fed, and that was something reduced to just a single big play on Sunday.

Injury aside, Godwin turning into a ghost this season is absolutely baffling. As the offense continues to sputter while relegating its second-best player to simply a bit player, frustration will continue to grow.