The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, 124-1 all-time in that situation since 1991. That record now reads 124-2. And after Thursday night’s 29-28 collapse at home to the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Todd Bowles didn’t mince words - not with the media, and certainly not with his players.
"It’s inexcusable," Bowles said after the game, his frustration boiling over. **"You gotta care enough where this hurts.
It’s gotta mean something to you. It’s more than a job - it’s your livelihood."
** That raw emotion wasn’t just for show. It was the sound of a coach watching his team let a crucial divisional game - and possibly the season - slip through its fingers.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a loss. This was a gut punch.
The Bucs were up 28-14 in the fourth quarter. Atlanta had committed 19 penalties - a staggering number that should’ve buried them.
But instead of putting the game away, Tampa Bay allowed 15 unanswered points, capped by a 43-yard walk-off field goal from Falcons kicker Zane Gonzalez.
And that’s where Bowles’ anger comes from. The Bucs didn’t just get beat - they beat themselves.
A Historic Collapse
To fully understand the magnitude of this loss, consider the history: Since 1991, the Bucs were 124-1 when leading by 14 or more in the fourth quarter, including playoffs. The only previous blemish? That infamous 2003 meltdown against Peyton Manning and the Colts.
Now, 22 years later, history repeated itself - and this time, it might be even harder to swallow.
Accountability - or Lack Thereof
Bowles didn’t hesitate to place the blame squarely on the players. "The coaches have done everything they can do," he said.
**"This is a player-driven team in the last four or five weeks. You gotta execute, and they gotta hold each other accountable."
**
That’s a powerful statement. Bowles isn’t suggesting the team lacks talent - he’s saying the locker room needs leadership. He’s saying the details aren’t being taken seriously by a select few, and those few are costing the team games.
"Until they start holding each other accountable and doing the little things right - and that’s not everybody - but the small select few is what is getting us beat," Bowles added. "Until that happens, it’s not going to get right."
In other words: this isn’t a coaching issue. It’s a culture issue.
Mayfield Takes the Blame
Quarterback Baker Mayfield didn’t dodge responsibility, either. "This one’s gonna haunt me," he said after the game.
**"This falls on my shoulders." **
Mayfield’s stat line wasn’t terrible - 19-of-34 for 277 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception - but that lone pick came at a critical moment. In a game where every possession mattered, that turnover helped swing momentum back to Atlanta.
Say what you will about Mayfield, but he’s never been shy about owning his mistakes. And in a locker room Bowles says needs more accountability, that kind of leadership matters - even if it came a little too late on Thursday night.
What Now?
The Bucs have now dropped five of their last six games, falling to 7-7 on the season. What once looked like a clear path to the NFC South title is now a dogfight. Tampa Bay trails the 7-6 Carolina Panthers, who still have a game to play this weekend against the Saints - and who will face the Bucs twice in the final three weeks.
So yes, the division is still within reach. But this loss?
This one stings. Not just because of the standings, but because of how it happened - and what it revealed.
This was supposed to be a statement game. Instead, it turned into a wake-up call.
And if the Bucs don’t respond - if that accountability Bowles is demanding doesn’t show up fast - this team could find itself watching the playoffs from home.