Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tom Brady saved the day, but concerns loom

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enjoyed a Tom Brady walk-off touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. But several issues need fixing over barely escaping in overtime. 

They blew it…..but they didn’t. Just barely. The heroics of Tom Brady with a walk-off touchdown in overtime saved the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A 33-27 win over the Buffalo Bills gave the defending champions their 10th victory of the season. Oh, and it was Brady’s 700th touchdown of his career, including the playoffs.

It should not have been this close, not after Tampa Bay (10-3) took a 24-3 lead early in the game while bracing several late hits from Buffalo players. But it did. Though Brady, who became the NFL’s all-time completions leader and is now 33-3 against Buffalo (7-6) in his career, this one was too close for comfort.

Additionally, for Tampa Bay, there is so much to fix, particularly in the back end of the defense outside of Antoine Winfield Jr. The secondary is very leaky, and a leaky ship can go down unless the holes are plugged tightly.

Need evidence? Just see how Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen bounced back in the second half after a first-half full of mistakes. 36/54 overall for 308 yards and two scores with an interception, while rushing for 109 yards and a score. Stefon Diggs finished with seven catches and 74 yards. Allen rebounded nicely from the New England game on Monday night will face that team soon, this time in Foxborough.

Brady? He had several flaws himself, as his offense sputtered in the second half. 31/46 for 363 yards passing and two touchdowns, including the winner to Breshad Perriman. Mike Evans finished with six catches for 91 yards and a score.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to get it together, or their championship repeat dreams will sink.

Early on, it looked like Tampa Bay would just cruise. But then again, that’s why the game goes for 60 minutes, or longer in this case. Their run defense needs work, and that’s saying something given how it’s been one of their strengths. Moreover, the cohesiveness on offense needs work as well, even though they are among the league’s best.

Thankfully, at least for Brady’s bunch, they have a rather pleasant rest of the season in terms of strength of schedule for the rest of the way. Two games against Carolina, a night game next week on Sunday Night against the Saints, and the New York Jets. Soft in some areas, but not to be taken lightly.

Tampa Bay won the game, and with it, earned a massive sigh of relief. It could have gotten worse. Yes, there was some questionable officiating, at least from an outside perspective. But if Tampa Bay doesn’t want to get in that kind of situation again, they should not get complacent when they have a large lead. For now, Tom Brady saves the day…….for now.