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Buccaneers' Season: From Hope to Historic Collapse
22 Dec
Summary
- Buccaneers lost six of seven games after a promising start.
- Team's playoff odds and division chances dramatically swung.
- Defense has fallen to 29th in EPA per play allowed recently.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are experiencing a dramatic season shift, losing six of their last seven games. This decline has significantly impacted their playoff and division title aspirations, casting a shadow over recent franchise successes. The team, which previously won a Super Bowl in 2020 and has consistently made the postseason, now finds itself in a precarious position.
Offensive and defensive performance has notably dipped in recent weeks. Quarterback Baker Mayfield's MVP candidacy has waned, with his play reflecting the league median over the past five weeks. Concurrently, the Buccaneers' defense has fallen to 29th in EPA per play allowed, a sharp contrast to their third-ranked status earlier in the season.
The team's veteran leadership and coaching staff are under scrutiny amidst these struggles. Head coach Todd Bowles faces questions about team motivation and performance, as the Buccaneers grapple with avoiding a sub-.500 finish and missing the postseason entirely.
