2-Point Conversion: It’s Now Or Never For Bucs’ Playoff Push

It’s time for Scott Reynolds’ postgame two-point conversion column. This column features two big statements, two probing questions, and two bold predictions.

The Bucks lost to the 49ers in San Francisco for the second year in a row, this time with a 27-14 loss, falling to 4-6. Tampa Bay lost three starters to injury on Sunday and had to play several rookies in their place. Still, it’s not too late for Todd Bowles and the Bucs to bounce back and make the playoffs or win their third consecutive NFC South title.

The Bucs will travel to Indianapolis next Sunday to take on the 5-5 Colts.

Two important statements

Statement 1: Is it now or never for the Bucks to make the playoffs?

We all expected the Bucs to lose to a much better and more talented 49ers team, right? We marked this as a loss before Tampa Bay’s players and coaches boarded the plane to San Francisco. right?

Therefore, the outcome of Sunday’s 27-14 loss to the 49ers was not surprising. The Bucks played better and more competitively than they did a year ago, when they suffered a 35-7 loss in San Francisco. That was when Tampa Bay had Tom Brady under center.

But as head coach Todd Bowles rightly pointed out after the game, there was no mental victory.

“We played as a team again,” Bowles said. “There are no moral victories for us. We’re disappointed in the loss, but we’re going to fight and take away our mistakes and become a better team because of it. We just didn’t do that today, but we always fight.” That should be the standard for us.”

So where do the 4-6 Bucks go from here? Tampa Bay has fallen in the NFC South with New Orleans and Atlanta having bye weeks.

But believe it or not, the fight for a district title or wild-card playoff spot is far from over for the 4-6 Buccos. Four of Tampa Bay’s remaining seven games will be against district foes.

The game between the Falcons and Saints will be a double whammy. Each time the Bucks win these games, the Falcons and Saints will move down in the division. Winning these two games and overwhelming the Panthers is essential for the Bucks to aim for their third consecutive NFC South title.

It’s also imperative for head coach Todd Bowles to get his team into the playoffs for a chance to save his job. Winning six of the remaining seven games would be enough and would be a big improvement from last year’s 8-9 record. But given the team’s fickleness this season, that seems unlikely.

Bucks DT Vita Baer and 49ers QB Brock Purdy – Photo courtesy of USA Today

“It’s getting serious. It’s getting serious,” Bucs safety Antwon Winfield Jr. said. He said, “As we head into the final game, we have to make sure we get a win to make the playoffs.”

Considering the fact that the Bucks have only won four of their first 10 games of the season, it seems like a stretch to go 5-2. Tampa Bay’s sudden burst into action, while necessary, is questionable. Like the Seahawks did last year, the Bucks could probably make the playoffs if they go 9-8 in the NFC. And if it’s 9-8, Tampa Bay might win the division.

The NFC South is a hot potato division. Just like last year, no one seems to want to win. Three different teams have topped the division so far (the 5-5 Saints are currently in first place), and all but the Panthers, who have one win, are still contenders.

Will winning the NFC South again be enough for Todd Bowles to save his job and return in 2024?To explain further, it may not be In the new pewter pulse video I recommend watching it.

Statement 2: The Bucks played 10 rookies on Sunday.

There was a youth movement on the field during the Bucks’ 27-14 loss to the 49ers on Sunday. All of the team’s 2024 draft picks on the active roster played either offense or defense, as well as special teams. However, it was not intentional.

The Bucs lost starting cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean and linebacker Lavonte David to injuries, and several rookies who had contributed on special teams had to step on defense.

Bucks WR Trey Palmer – Photo courtesy of USA Today

The team’s top three picks – defensive tackle Kaliyah Kancey, right guard Cody Mauch, and outside linebacker. Yaya Diaby, I play regularly throughout the year. But in San Francisco, rookie inside linebacker Sarvosia Dennis and rookie cornerback Josh Hayes had to replace David and Davis, respectively.

Hayes recorded three tackles and allowed just one catch for a six-yard gain. Dennis missed two tackles, but ended up making two successful tackles as well. In just his 17 snaps, he achieved almost the same productivity as Devin White. White had just three tackles in 60 plays, which won’t help his cause in terms of earning a new contract this offseason.

These rookie defenders are joined by third-day draft picks tight end Payne Durham and wide receiver Trey Palmer, as well as rookie Rakim Jarrett, who has been a regular contributor on offense this year. A total of 10 rookies will play against the 49ers, including three undrafted free agents, Jarrett, safety Kayvon Merriweather, and outside linebacker Marquise Watts, who will play San Francisco on defense. He should have played more than three snaps.

“I thought they did a good job. Those guys came out and jumped around and did the plays. [and] They gave us a chance,” Bowles said. “The best thing about them is that they’re fearless and they don’t know any better. I thought those guys were flying around pretty. [well]”

The Bucks were able to get a glimpse of their young players, which could help Jason Richt and the personnel department better assess the team’s needs in 2024, and perhaps give coaches more confidence in their rookies going forward. It will be.

2 Detailed questions

Questions 1. How bad was the Bucks’ West Coast massacre?

The Bucs lost three defensive starters to injuries. In Sunday’s third quarter, cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean suffered hip and ankle injuries, respectively, and inside linebacker Lavont David suffered a groin injury. This added injury to the humiliation of a 27-14 loss to the 49ers.

Bucks CB Jamel Dean – Photo courtesy of USA Today

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles didn’t provide much of an update on these injuries during his Monday afternoon press conference.

“They’re in a lot of pain right now,” Bowles said. “They’re still testing, so we’ll have an answer as soon as the tests come back.”

The guess here is that all three missed the Colts game. Defensive tackles Vita Vea and Logan Hall each missed one game with groin injuries a few weeks ago, with Vea missing the game against Buffalo and Hall missing the game against Houston. David will probably follow suit.

Dean had to be driven to the locker room with ice on his ankle. That could be a sign of a high ankle sprain. Even a minor ankle injury could keep Dean out of the game. Davis’ hip injury could also cause him to miss at least the game.

The best treatment for groin, ankle, and hip injuries is rest and recovery. The Bucks may have to play without those three starters Sunday in Indianapolis.

Question 2. How bad was Brock Purdy’s Perfect Day vs. the Bucks?

It’s really bad for Todd Bowles. Giving Brock Perfect (as we’ll call him that now) a literally perfect QB rating against Bowles’ defense in the rematch game is a great idea for both the head coach in charge of the defense and the head coach in the hot seat. That’s not a good thing.

Purdy made his first NFL start against the Bucs a year ago, completing 16-of-21 passes (76.2%) for 185 yards, two touchdowns, and a rushing TD in a 35-7 win. On Sunday, he completed 84 percent of his passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns, posting a perfect QB rating of 158.3.

As if it wasn’t bad enough that the Bucks took a lead in a 39-37 loss to Houston with a very soft defense, Purdy made the most of Bowles and his defense and looked forward to even better days. If so, it may cause problems for the head coach during the game. end of the season. This defensive effort, or lack thereof, was actually Bowles’ second offensive attack this year.

Let’s see if he and the Bucs can overcome this loss and win enough games to keep Bowls alive until 2024.

2 Bold predictions

Prediction 1: Mike Evans will return to Tampa Bay in 2024.

Bucks WR Mike Evans – Photo courtesy of USA Today

I don’t understand why Mike Evans doesn’t re-sign with the team in the offseason. The Bucks definitely won’t be as good without him next year. Whether Todd Bowles returns or there’s a new head coach, whoever coaches Tampa Bay in 2024 will want Evans on the team. That’s because he’s a reliable 1,000-yard receiver with dynamic playmaking ability even at 30 years old. He can score double-digit touchdowns in any season.

And even if a team like Chicago with more salary cap space ends up offering Evans more money, star receivers won’t be able to afford a higher salary unless they’re a Super Bowl contender. I don’t think he will leave to gain more. Evans wants to win, but I think more than that he wants to continue playing in Tampa Bay and finish his career as a Buccaneer.

The Bucks may let him go in free agency and see what the market is for him before deciding whether to match it. I could be wrong, but I’m not sure there’s a solid free agent market north of $20 million per season for a receiver who will be 31 next year and doesn’t always have the most reliable talent. not. Teams don’t mind spending big on star players, but Evans’ age could be a concern for teams looking to spend big on young arms.

Prediction 2: The Bucks will actually make the playoffs and probably win the division.

As strange as it may sound, Tampa Bay has the most talented roster and best quarterback in the division, despite the team’s 4-6 record. The NFC South is weak for another year, so the Bucks should win the division again. For a team that hasn’t even won three in a row at any point in the season, winning five of seven games would be daunting.

Still, I think Tampa Bay will win a division that no one wants to win. Call me crazy. Let’s see what happens in December and January.