Todd Bowles doesn't seem confused about what's wrong with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Four games into a 0-4 start, the head coach continues to identify many of the same issues that have kept his team from turning competitive games into wins. At some point, identifying those problems isn't enough if they continue happening.
"The penalties, number one — shooting ourselves in the foot. Every time we go forward, it seems like we're going backwards. We can't put [drives] together completely…Either we get a sack [or] we get a penalty that kind of puts us back and shoots ourselves in the foot. We've got to be better there," Bowles said Monday, according to the Buccaneers' official quote sheet.
The Bucs committed only four penalties for 17 yards in Sunday's
17-14 loss to Green Bay, but the offense still struggled to sustain production. Jalon Daniels was sacked three times, threw two interceptions, and finished with 148 passing yards in his first NFL start.
Playing an undrafted rookie quarterback naturally changes what an offense can ask of its quarterback. It doesn't fully explain Tampa Bay's problems, as the offense was struggling before Daniels replaced the injured Baker Mayfield. The Bucs have yet to establish a consistent offensive identity regardless of who has been behind center.
Sean Tucker's usage against Green Bay was one of the clearest examples. Tucker played only three offensive snaps and carried the ball on all three. After being stopped for no gain on third-and-1, he immediately received another opportunity on fourth-and-1 and gained eight yards. Two plays later, Tucker scored Tampa Bay's first touchdown on a two-yard run. He didn't receive another offensive snap.
"I mean, he's tough. He needs to earn a few reps. I mean, we've got to find a way to split the three [running] backs, kind of. It doesn't have to be [split] equally, but a hot hand should be able to ride a little bit longer – the same thing we discussed," Bowles said Monday.
The passing game has similar personnel questions. Emeka Egbuka played 59 offensive snaps against Green Bay but received only four targets, catching two passes for 13 yards. Chris Godwin Jr. led Tampa Bay with seven targets; Cade Otton received six, while Tez Johnson and Kameron Johnson each received two.
Bowles was specifically asked on Monday whether Tampa Bay could do more in its game planning to involve Egbuka and Godwin.
"Again, we go into the game just like that. Whether it's [a] penalty or whether they're doubling the guys or whether it's a setback in the play and we can't get them what we want to get them to…But, we've got to do a better job getting them the ball," Bowles said.
Protection remains another problem. Daniels was sacked three times for 14 yards against Green Bay, while Jordan Love wasn't sacked once. The Packers were playing with a reshuffled offensive line, but Tampa Bay couldn't turn that into consistent pressure.
Bowles was asked Monday whether his cornerbacks should play closer to the line of scrimmage when opponents are getting the football out quickly to neutralize Tampa Bay's pass rush.
"Not really, depending on coverage. I thought the guys did a good job on the back end. I mean, we limited the passes. We were good on third down that way. They paid attention to the game plan. They did a good job tackling for the most part, so I'm pleased there," Bowles said.
The results support part of Bowles' assessment. Green Bay finished with 283 total yards and converted only two of 10 third downs. Love threw for 197 yards, but Tampa Bay finished without a sack and recorded only two quarterback hits.
The defense also gave Tampa Bay opportunities to win. The Bucs forced two turnovers, including a fourth-quarter interception by Jacob Parrish, while holding Green Bay scoreless in the final quarter. Tampa Bay still couldn't complete the comeback.
The special teams didn't provide much help with field position. Riley Dixon punted four times for a 40.0-yard gross average and 35.3-yard net average, with a long of 43 yards and no punts inside the 20. Green Bay punter Daniel Whelan averaged 45.0 yards gross and 41.8 net with three punts inside the 20.
There have been individual bright spots during Tampa Bay's start. Parrish has continued to earn a significant role in the secondary, while rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter led the Bucs with 9 tackles against Green Bay. David Walker, meanwhile, played 24 defensive snaps against the Packers as Tampa Bay continued rotating its outside linebackers.
The defense will now have to adjust without Antoine Winfield Jr. Bowles confirmed Monday that Winfield suffered a slight rib fracture and will miss Thursday's game against Dallas.
"We won't have [Antoine] Winfield [Jr.] Thursday. He's got a slight rib fracture. [He] should be out two to four weeks, probably, from what I'm hearing. I'm waiting for 'Voss's' (SirVocea Dennis) images to come back on his foot, and then we'll see about that one," Bowles said.
There are legitimate reasons Tampa Bay has struggled. Mayfield is injured, Daniels is an inexperienced rookie and the defense has now lost one of its best players for multiple weeks. Those circumstances don't explain every problem that has followed the Bucs through the first month of the season.
Bowles knows the offense is losing drives because of penalties, sacks, and setbacks. He knows Egbuka and Godwin need the football. He acknowledged Tucker deserves opportunities and that a hot hand should be allowed to play longer.
Tampa Bay is 0-4. The explanations have been given. Now the Buccaneers have to show they can correct the problems Bowles keeps identifying.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Todd Bowles is running out of ways to explain Buccaneers' mistakes
