Bucs offense a no-show in 17-3 loss
The Buccaneers continue to struggle with consistency as this week it was the offense who failed to deliver in the loss to the Carolina Panthers.
One week it’s the defense, next week the offense, back and forth, and so it goes it what so far has been a disappointing season for the Bucs. The Bucs could only muster 294 yards of offense, their lowest output of the season as the Panthers defense kept the high powered Bucs offense in check.
This was the first time in the NFL career of Jameis Winston which encompasses 39 starts that the Bucs did not score a touchdown. It was the middle of the third quarter before Winston would get over the 100 yard mark in passing yards. After the game Koetter said that the wind had a lot to do with the inaccuracy on a lot of Winston’s passes. In his press conference, Winston said that wasn’t the case as he is an NFL QB and as a QB you have to complete those passes windy or not.
One thing about Jameis is he never points the finger at his teammates. He is always accountable and a stand up guy and willing to take responsibility for his less than stellar play.
Winston committed three turovers in the game as he fumbled and had two interceptions. The fumble and the interceptions were a case of Winston trying to make a play when he should have thrown the ball away or just taken a sack. Winston now has eight turovers on the season and 41 in his career in two and half seasons. Jameis Winston will never be an elite QB in the class of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, etc until he learns to cut back on his turnovers. Elite QB’s don’t turn the ball over and hurt the team. Winston is a good QB. I know a lot of fans are wanting him benched and Fitzpatrick to start. That will not happen. Winston is the starter and will stay the starter unless an injury prevents him from starting.
There were six penalties in the game yesterday and four of those were committed by the offense at crucial moments in the game.
The running game never really got going. Doug Martin finished with 71 yards on 18 carries, but overall has been just so-so since his return from the suspension.
The Bucs are 2-5 and would need to go 7-2 the rest of the season to match last years mark of 9-7. With two against New Orleans, two against Atlanta, a trip to Miami and Carolina coming up on the schedule, the Bucs will be lucky to finish .500
The coaching seat under Dirk Koetter is getting warmer by the week, as the Bucs continue to underperform and can‘t seem to put a complete game together. Koetter calls the plays on game day and his play calling has come under scrutiny recently.
The defense minus Robert McClain and Brent Grimes in the secondary played well. Their best performance since the 19-14 loss to the Patriots in early October. Ryan Smith and Javier Elliott stepped in and both did a nice job. The Bucs will need another strong defensive effort with New Orleans coming up this weekend on the road.
