The doink will ring in the ears.
Last Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost in the Wild Card round to the Washington Commanders.
This playoff loss put an end to a whirlwind season, handing Washington their first playoff win in almost two decades.
The game was a microcosm of the Bucs season, with unforced errors costing Tampa the game.
With the game tied 10-10 at the half, a place in the Divisional Round hung in the balance.
The Bucs were up 17-13 midway through the fourth quarter, with a chance to potentially ice the game.
In typical 2024 Bucs fashion, a fumbled hand-off between Baker Mayfield and Jalen McMillan gave the Commanders the ball back in the Bucs’ redzone, and the resulting touchdown put Washington 20-17 up.
Tampa did level the game with a field goal of their own, before losing in cruel fashion.
Zane Gonzalez kicked the walk-off field goal for the Commanders, courtesy of a fortunate doink.
Responsibility and question marks
Mayfield took responsibility for the fumble after the game, showing his strong character.
He had been on course for a fantastic game, with two touchdowns and almost 200 yards.
But it was not to be, and after a 43 touchdown season, it all ended for Baker and the Bucs on Sunday.
Mike Evans also had a great game. The future Hall of Famer scored a touchdown and notched up 92 yards, matched up against former foe Marshon Lattimore.
The Bucs could have made a deep playoff run, but it was not to be.
Is Todd Bowles still the answer? Is Baker Mayfield still the answer?
These are all questions we will be exploring over the offseason in the coming weeks and months.
Defense creaks at crucial time
This comes as a very disappointing loss, and once again, the defense disappointed.
Some may argue it was the secondary, others will say pass rush was the issue.
Ultimately, the Commanders were simply better, and held a red hot Tampa Bay offense to just 20 points.
They figured out the Bucs offense in this game, especially Bucky Irving. Irving had been one of the Bucs’ best players this season, and best surprises.
On Sunday, he was held to just 77 yards and one receiving touchdown.
All in all, congratulations to the Commanders. For the Bucs, they now need to focus on next year.
The Bucs currently have one of the most exciting coaches in the NFL in Liam Cohen.
Promoting him to head coach and demoting Bowles to defensive coordinator should be a move this off season that GM Jason Licht should be considering.
Despite this tough loss in the postseason for the fifth year in a row, there is optimism going into next season for Tampa.
