Strange statistic? Serious issue?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished the 2024 season with a 10-7 record.
Despite this relatively good season, a big problem cropped up for the Bucs this season – Prime Time!
The Buccaneers played a total of five Prime Time games in 2024. They did not win a single one.
Tampa Bay had no issues racking up wins on a typical Sunday slate, but when the lights were bright, they could not seem to deliver.
The Bucs lost a total of eight games last season, including the playoffs. Five of those eight losses were in Prime Time.
Rewind to October
The first came against the rival Atlanta Falcons on October 4th. This was a tough game for Tampa Bay, and a game in which costly mistakes lost the game.
The Bucs were ahead, and deep in Falcons territory with just three minutes on the clock. But a costly fumble led to a field goal and an overtime loss for Tampa Bay.
Next, the Bucs faced the Baltimore Ravens. This game, despite the relatively close score of 41-31 to the Ravens, was in truth never close.
Tampa were totally outplayed, as Lamar Jackson threw for five touchdowns and torched the Buccaneers defence.
The Bucs also lost Chris Godwin to a serious injury that day, making the loss even worse.
Back under the spotlight on November 5th, Tampa Bay then took on the reigning world champions Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead.
The Bucs actually played quite well in this game, but after losing the coin toss to begin overtime the inevitable happened.
And in their final Prime Time game of the regular season, the Bucs took on a Dallas Cowboys team in Arlington, Texas.
This was probably the most disappointing game of the Bucs’ season. This was a must-win game, and the Bucs did not turn up.
Tampa Bay was outplayed by a Cooper Rush led Dallas, who ended up going 7-10.
Run continues in playoffs
The Bucs’ final Prime Time game of the season was their Wild Card match-up at home against the Washington Commanders.
Mistakes – especially fumbles – cost the Bucs once again, as they lost on a last-second doink field goal.
The worrying fact that the Buccaneers were unable to win single Prime Time game this past season shows that despite the relative success, there is still a long way to go.
If the Bucs want to make it anywhere near back to the Super Bowl, they need to figure out their Prime Time issue.
