Adam Slivon’s latest Top 10 Takeaways came after a rough one for Tampa Bay, as the Buccaneers fell to the Browns 23-19 in Week 2.
The result was a stunner for a team that was expected to handle Cleveland. Instead, the Browns hung around, stayed in the fight and finished the job with a key stop after an over two-hour rain delay at Raymond James Stadium.
A big part of the discussion centered on Baker Mayfield, whose struggles are starting to reshape the conversation around the $165 million quarterback. Slivon’s point was blunt: until Mayfield shows more, the decision to pay him before the season looks worse by the week.
The offensive problems didn’t stop there. Zac Robinson’s scheme came under fire for not consistently putting players in position to make plays, and the unit again lacked the kind of steady rhythm Tampa Bay needed. Bucky Irving was one of the few offensive players who brought any life, while Kenny Gainwell’s quiet day drew criticism for another minimal impact performance.
On defense, Tampa Bay’s second-half unraveling was just as hard to ignore. Deshaun Watson settled in and the Bucs lost control of the game, leaving the defense with more questions than answers. Slivon also noted that Alex Anzalone’s name has been coming up for all the wrong reasons just two games into the season, and that neither offseason addition has delivered so far.
There were a few bright spots, though not many. Chase McLaughlin remains an elite kicker, and that was one of the only clear positives on a night when the Bucs looked like a team that played down to its competition.
That phrase is starting to feel less and less fitting anyway. Tampa Bay is now 2-9 over its last 11 games, and the bigger concern is what comes next. The missed chance to make Liam Coen the head coach is beginning to look like a painful alternate reality, while the Todd Bowles era is facing a tough stretch ahead with the 2-0 Vikings up next in Week 3.
In Other News...
Bucs Usage After That Loss Raises One Big Offensive Concern
The snap counts from Tampa Bays loss to Cleveland offered a revealing look at how the Buccaneers tried to piece together their offense, and it started with the passing game. Jalen McMillan saw a limited workload, while Ted Hurst III was asked to carry more of the load and ended up with a costly drop that stood out in a game where the Bucs never quite found the right rhythm.
Bucky Irving again looked like the most important piece of the offense, out-snapping Kenny Gainwell and handling the bulk of the backfield work. On the other side of the ball, David Walker made the most of limited opportunities with his first career sack, but the bigger takeaway for Tampa Bay was how uneven the offensive usage looked in a loss that raised questions about where the production is supposed to come from next. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Fans Already Feel The Void Lavonte David Left
Through two games, Alex Anzalone has held the Buccaneers starting linebacker role and worn the helmet that comes with calling the defense, but the early returns have been rough. His work in coverage and as a tackler has left Tampa Bay without much stability in the middle, and the roster doesnt offer an obvious immediate upgrade as the team tries to settle that spot.
The bigger issue is the shadow left by Lavonte David, whose retirement this offseason ended a 14-year run in Tampa Bay and removed a player who had long been both a leader and a tone-setter. Rookie Josiah Trotter has already made more tackles than Anzalone, which only sharpens the contrast as the Buccaneers look for someone to replace not just the production, but the presence David brought to the defense. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Draw A Much Tougher Vikings QB Test Than Expected
A week after the matchup started looking like it might come with a different quarterback story, the Buccaneers now have a clearer picture of what awaits in Week 3. Vikings head coach Kevin OConnell confirmed that Kyler Murray has cleared concussion protocol and will start against Tampa Bay, with Carson Wentz staying in the backup role. It gives the Bucs a far different challenge than they were preparing for, especially with Minnesota still carrying the edge in the betting line.
For Tampa Bay, the bigger wrinkle is not just the name under center, but the uncertainty hanging over what comes next. Murrays return gives Minnesota a more dynamic look right away, while the possibility that his status beyond this week is still unsettled only adds another layer to the matchup. However the Vikings handle their quarterback situation after Sunday, the Buccaneers are getting a sturdier test than they may have expected when the week began. [Read more 🡒]