Déjà vu

Same division opponent, same tight game, same outcome. It would be easy to say that injuries lost this game for us, but that wouldn’t be completely correct. With their MASH Unit, the Bucs could have again beaten the Falcons in another down-to-the-wire contest. Again, in 2024, they let Kirk Cousins have a huge game, coming up just short, this time at home. Speaking of just short, how is it that Baker Mayfield threw the ball out of bounds behind the end zone on the final play of the game? Everything that happened before that pass came down to that moment, and he couldn’t put the ball into play for the last shot in the game. The end-zone is ten yards long, but he couldn’t fit it in? I only bring this up because Rakim Jarrett did come down with it but did out of bounds. If that ball is thrown in play, well, you never know. As a quarterback, you have to execute and give your guys a chance to make a play.

What does the loss mean to the Bucs’ post-season aspirations?

All is not lost, but it means some serious digging down deep if they don’t want to be home for Christmas. The chances of winning the South Division again are basically gone. According to The Athletic’s playoff predictor, the Bucs now only have a 24% chance to snag a wildcard and only an 11% chance to win the South Division. Moving forward, they would have to win two more games than the Falcons. That’s a pretty tall order being that their next two games are against the 2023 Super Bowl teams(K.C. on Monday night, then the 49ers the following week). So, like I said before, the Falcons game it was pretty much a must-win game. So, while it’s not over yet, it’s close.

How quickly it can turn around on you.

Funny how seasons that don’t hold much promise can turn into big seasons, and others that look so promising can fizzle away just like that. Sunday against the Falcons was a huge game for knocking out the fizzle. It just wasn’t meant to be — at least the way it appears at the moment, Bucs’ Fans. Personally, I thought this season was going to be a huge one for our Bucs. Of course, in those statements, I used the injury situation as something that would have to work our way in order to have a great season. It hasn’t, and the Buc’s chances in 2024 are now on life support. So, all you Bucs fans, cross your fingers and say your prayers. We have two monsters to slay in the next two weeks. Go Bucs!!