The One Player the Bucs Just Can’t Stop

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a brutal 29-28 loss on Thursday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons. The game not only highlighted the team’s recent struggles, but also underscored once again the consistent success one player continues to have against the Buccaneers defense: tight end Kyle Pitts.

Prior to Thursday night’s game, it was already well known that Pitts tends to thrive against the Buccaneers defense. Before kickoff, Greg Auman of Fox Sports wrote, “Kyle Pitts averages 44 yards per game in his NFL career, but he’s had at least 47 in all seven games vs. the Bucs. Three TDs vs. Bucs, compared to eight TDs in 67 career games against everyone else.”

That trend continued in dominant fashion Thursday night, as Pitts delivered a monster performance with 11 receptions, 166 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns to help lift the Falcons over the Buccaneers on the road.

The Falcons committed 19 penalties, the most in franchise history for a single game according to Falcons Digital Team Reporter Terrin Waack, but even with that, Tampa Bay’s inability to contain Pitts’ production was ultimately why they fell short.

The Impact of the Loss

This loss is especially concerning for a Tampa Bay team that started the season 6–2 but now sits at 7–7, giving the Carolina Panthers an opportunity to take sole possession of the division if they defeat the 3–10 New Orleans Saints this Sunday.

“Just a crushing loss for the Bucs — they were 6-2 and have now lost five of six to fall to 7-7. They still control their playoff destiny but might need to sweep the Panthers to win the division,” wrote Auman.

The Panthers, who sit at 7–6, now control their own destiny and would secure the division title if they win out. That is a big “if,” though, as Carolina is set to face the Seattle Seahawks, who are 10–3 and one of the best teams in the NFL, and the Buccaneers twice before the end of the regular season.

With the Panthers’ tough schedule, the Buccaneers still have an above-average shot at making the playoffs. Jack McKessy of USA Today wrote, “NFL Next Gen Stats gives the Buccaneers a 53% chance to make the playoffs after their “Thursday Night Football” loss.”

Loss Stings, But There Are Encouraging Signs

Tampa Bay may have lost and has certainly been ice-cold recently, but Thursday night’s game showed promise for the passing game as the team heads into the final stretch of the season, which essentially consists of must-win games.

Mike Evans, who suffered a collarbone injury in Week 7, made his return on Thursday night and delivered an impressive performance, totaling 132 receiving yards on 6 receptions.

If Evans can maintain this high level of play in the final stretch of the season, Tampa Bay could be in a very promising position.

The Buccaneers’ offense had its moments and performed well, putting up 28 points. The bigger concern, however, was the defense allowing 29 points to a struggling Falcons team that had already been eliminated from playoff contention going into the game.

Atlanta’s offense was able to rack up 476 total net yards against the Buccaneers (CBS Sports).  If Tampa Bay hopes to make the playoffs, they must significantly reduce that number.

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