Overview
- Tampa Bay fell to 7-9 with its fourth straight defeat and seventh loss in eight games as Baker Mayfield threw two interceptions and lost a fourth-quarter fumble despite 346 passing yards.
- A 55-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin was blocked before halftime, extending a season of damaging special-teams errors that have included multiple blocked kicks.
- Coach Todd Bowles said the Bucs are “shooting ourselves in the foot,” emphasizing accountability and warning that a repeat performance means they “won’t be going anywhere.”
- Linebacker Lavonte David addressed teammates after the game, and Mayfield said the team is “blessed” to have one more chance and vowed to have the group ready for the rematch.
- Tampa Bay can clinch the NFC South with a win that results in a two-way tie with Carolina, but a three-way 8-9 tie involving Atlanta would give the division to the Panthers, leaving Falcons results pivotal.