Tampa Bay Buccaneers harm NFC South chances with brutal loss

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers experienced painful memories in their loss to the Saints.

If you are a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, you will recall the 1976 and 1977 seasons when the team began their existence with an 0-26 record. If you are a fan of Tom Brady, you will recall a Monday Night in Kansas City where the New England Patriots suffered a humiliating defeat to the Chiefs by a score of 41-14.

On Sunday Night Football in NFL Week 9, the nightmares fused with a downpour as Tampa Bay stumbled to a crushing 38-3 defeat against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints were up 31-0 at the half and never looked back. The win puts New Orleans firmly in the driver’s seat in the NFC South after a season sweep of Tampa while the Buccaneers are now 6-3.

Brady was uncharacteristically bad on Sunday, going just 22-of-38 for 209 yards with three interceptions. Antonio Brown did show himself in his debut, as did the rest of the receiving corps, but to no avail.

The offensive line? No words. No protection and, like in the Giants game in which Tampa Bay barely escaped, they faced consistent pressure that harassed Brady all night as he was sacked multiple times.

Drew Bree,s meanwhile, soared in the rain and reclaimed the touchdown record. Brees finished the night 26-of-32 for 223 yards and four touchdowns. Alvin Kamara looked great, as did other players. Taysom Hill was jumping for joy over Bucs defenders and had Todd Bowles face-palming himself silently. The Saints defense celebrated in front of the camera all night.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now behind the 8-ball in the NFC South.

It’s within reason to say it was just one bad game and probably will not occur again. However, with the division being as tight as it is, the margin of error is razor-thin. In addition, the NFC itself is very competitive with a single game being the difference between a home game or a road trip through the playoffs.

6-3 is not a bad record but, given the recent performances, there is a deep cause of concern in Tampa Bay. In the last two games, the Buccaneers have not looked like their explosive self, despite what the stat sheet has said.

Can the Buccaneers get it together? Yes, and they have the personnel to do so. Will they get it together? If they wish to win the division and have the opportunity to host and play in the Super Bowl, then they must. If they can’t, they will indeed be hosting the Super Bowl, only they won’t be playing in it.

Then again, the last time Tampa won the Super Bowl, they had to go on the road, though as a division-winner. Maybe a road trip isn’t a bad thing. Unfortunately, the game on Sunday Night Football was, indeed, a bad thing for the Bucs.