Has the BUCS’ SHIP SANK?

Sitting at 4-3, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves in tough spot with their top receiver, Mike Evans, out for an extended period of time and their second-best receiving weapon, Chris Godwin, most likely out for the year. Not only is Godwin out for the year, but he was injured in the last minute of a 10-point game, which makes the injury hurt that much more. As for Mike Evans, the timetable looks to be about a 3–4-week injury, but hamstrings are unpredictable. Evans has been fighting this injury for quite some time, even going back several seasons ago. These injuries could not have come at a worse time for Tampa as their schedule amps up.

Over the next 3 weeks, the Bucs play division rival Atlanta Falcons who beat them a few weeks ago in an overtime thriller, where Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 500 yards on this less than impressive Bucs’ defense. Following the Falcons, the Bucs play the reigning Super Bowl champion, the Kansas City Chiefs, then face off against the Chiefs’ Super Bowl opponent, the San Francisco 49ers.  

Although it hurts to have Evans and Godwin go down, it opens a window for other play makers to rise to the occasion. Rookie running back Bucky Irving has been a beneficial piece to this Bucs offense and he will now be counted on even more with key players going down. Along with Irving, tight end Cade Otton, wide receivers, Tre Palmer, Sterling Shepherd and Jalen McMillian will go from promising complimentary pieces to vital weapons within the game plan.

HOT TAKE: Tampa’s Head Coach, Todd Bowles has been in charge since 2022 when he took over for Bruce Arians. Bowles is a defensive minded coach who has had success at times, but with the defensive struggles of Tampa Bay, I believe Bowles’ will be fired at the end of the year if not sooner.