The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into Week 15 knowing that they should have been able to account for the Atlanta Falcons, who had nothing to play for.
And for the best part of three quarters, they played like it, leading 28-14, before the wheels fell off.
The Falcons rallied to win on a last-second field goal, 29-28, to send the Buccaneers further into the depths of despair.
Todd Bowles’ explosive post-game speech captured the media’s attention, and CBS Sports’ John Breech’s grading for the game will get the attention of the players, too, giving Tampa Bay a “D” grade, but not biting his tongue on his assessment.
“Considering the magnitude of this game, this was a monster choke by the Buccaneers, who blew a 28-14 lead in the fourth quarter,” Breech wrote. “The only sliver lining here for the Bucs (7-7) is that their offense should be at nearly full strength for the final three weeks of the season and they still control their playoff fate: If they win their final three games, they’ll win the NFC South.”
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Bucs catch huge break in NFC South
With the loss to Atlanta, the Buccaneers handed the advantage to the Carolina Panthers, who played the New Orleans Saints. Win that, and the Panthers would have been outright first in the division.
But Lady Luck smiled down on Tampa Bay, as the Saints beat Carolina 20-17, so it is as you were in the race for the division.
With two of their next three games against the Panthers, that is where the division will be won or lost.
Picking yourself up after such a choke job is going to be tough, but the Buccaneers still control their own destiny, which is a positive.
But they’ve got to move past Week 15, because that was downright awful, and focus on beating the Panthers in Week 16.
And no choking this time, please.
