Bucs' Offense Falters Again in Loss to Panthers, Interior Line Woes Continue
Another Sunday, another frustrating offensive outing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their 23-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers wasn’t just a bad day-it felt like confirmation that this offense, as currently constructed, might be beyond repair.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Bucs’ offense is out of sync, and the problems run deeper than just one missed block or one bad call. It’s a layered issue, but at the heart of it all is the interior offensive line-a unit that continues to be a liability week after week.
The Game Plan That Never Got Off the Ground
Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard came into this game with a plan: establish the run early, set up manageable third downs, and keep things simple. On paper, that’s a sound approach. But for a team that’s struggled to convert on third down all season, relying on that formula without the personnel to execute it was always going to be risky.
The Bucs leaned heavily on first-down runs, but the interior line couldn’t generate any push. That left Tampa Bay stuck in second-and-long far too often, and things only got worse from there. The inability to win at the line of scrimmage made short-yardage situations a nightmare, and pass protection wasn’t much better.
Pressure, Penalties, and Broken Pockets
Baker Mayfield spent most of the afternoon under siege. Officially, he was sacked twice, with another wiped out by a penalty, but the pressure was relentless.
The pocket collapsed early and often, forcing Mayfield to scramble, rush throws, and abandon progressions before plays had a chance to develop. Even when protection held up, the mental toll of constant pressure showed-Mayfield’s internal clock is speeding up, and it’s starting to affect his rhythm.
The few successful runs the Bucs did have came from Bucky Irving making something out of nothing, bouncing runs to the outside where there was at least a sliver of space. Between the tackles? That was a different story.
The Center of the Storm
Second-year center Graham Barton had another rough outing. A bad snap and a costly penalty highlighted a day full of miscues. Barton’s transition from left tackle to center hasn’t gone smoothly, and it’s fair to wonder if the position switch midseason has thrown off his development.
The loss of Ben Bredeson has been significant, and Cody Mauch’s absence has loomed large all year. Dan Feeney, now starting at right guard after a rotating cast of replacements, simply hasn’t provided the stability this line needs. Michael Jordan has had flashes filling in at left guard, but consistency remains elusive.
When your entire interior line is either inexperienced, miscast, or overmatched, it’s tough to build a functioning offense-especially one that relies on timing and rhythm in the passing game.
A Quarterback Feeling the Heat-Literally and Mentally
Mayfield’s play has taken a hit as the pressure has mounted. We’re seeing the classic signs: hurried throws, jittery footwork, and a quarterback who doesn’t trust the pocket even when it’s clean.
It’s hard to blame him-when you’re getting hit early and often, self-preservation takes over. But it’s clear the offensive line’s struggles are bleeding into every part of the offense, starting with QB1.
Where Do the Bucs Go From Here?
With just a few weeks left in the season, the options are limited. There’s no cavalry coming.
The Bucs have who they have, and it’s up to Grizzard and the coaching staff to find ways to scheme around the interior issues. That’s a tall order.
Unlike edge pressure, which can be chipped or schemed away with tight ends and backs, interior pressure is harder to mask. It hits fast, it hits often, and it wrecks plays before they even begin.
For eight straight weeks, Tampa Bay has been searching for answers up front-and they haven’t found any. Unless something changes dramatically (and quickly), this offense may continue to sputter down the stretch, stuck in a cycle of pressure, penalties, and missed opportunities.
The Bucs are still fighting, but unless the offensive line finds some form of stability, it’s going to be an uphill battle the rest of the way.