Overview
- Tampa Bay fell 20-17 to Miami to drop to 7-9, marking seven losses in eight games and a fourth straight defeat.
- Carolina’s loss to Seattle set up a Week 18 matchup in Tampa on Jan. 3, with the Bucs needing a win plus at least one Falcons loss to clinch; a three-way tie at 8-9 would give the Panthers the division.
- Todd Bowles said the team is “shooting ourselves in the foot,” stressing coaching and player execution must improve and warning that a repeat effort would end their season.
- Baker Mayfield committed three turnovers against the Dolphins as recurring issues surfaced — coverage breakdowns, a blocked field goal and a long kickoff return — yet he said the Bucs are “blessed” to still have a chance and vowed to get the group ready.
- NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Bowles recently signed a multi-year extension and is under contract through 2028, with virtually no chance of a coaching change after the season.