Bucs Offense Showing Signs of Life - Even If the Scoreboard Doesn’t Say So (Yet)
At first glance, the numbers don’t jump off the page. A 34-7 drubbing at the hands of the Rams followed by a modest 20-point output against a struggling 3-9 Cardinals team isn’t exactly the kind of offensive surge you’d expect from a playoff hopeful. But if you dig a little deeper, there’s more going on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers than the box score suggests - and it might just be the start of something.
Yes, the Bucs have struggled to put points on the board lately. But the tape tells a more encouraging story: missed chances, not broken schemes.
And that’s a key distinction. Drops, overthrows, and near-misses - not a lack of talent or poor game planning - kept Tampa Bay from stacking more points last Sunday.
Let’s start with the miscues. Rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka had a tough drop on the first drive that would’ve put the offense near midfield.
Later, Chris Godwin Jr. - who otherwise had his best game of the season - couldn’t hang on to a would-be touchdown grab, forcing the Bucs to settle for three. Then there was Baker Mayfield’s deep shot to Tez Johnson that sailed just a bit high.
If that ball connects, Tampa Bay’s offense is knocking on the red zone door instead of punting.
These are the kinds of plays that don’t show up in the final score but swing games - and seasons.
“Very, Very Close” to Clicking
Baker Mayfield sees it too. After Sunday’s win, the Bucs quarterback said the offense is right on the edge of breaking through.
“Today felt like we were very, very close,” Mayfield said. “Guys took the message and a lot of things at heart during the week of practice. We just have to continue to translate it to the game field.”
Translation: the execution needs to catch up with the preparation. And if it does, this offense could start humming just in time for a postseason run.
Part of that optimism comes from getting key pieces back in the lineup. Godwin, who’s battled injuries this season, looked like his old self with three catches for 78 yards - leading the team in receiving.
He was crisp in his routes, reliable in traffic, and brought his usual physicality as a blocker. Classic Godwin.
But the real spark came from the backfield.
Bucky Irving’s Return Brings Juice to the Offense
Bucky Irving hadn’t played since Week 4, but you wouldn’t have known it. The second-year back brought instant energy, racking up 81 total yards and punching in his first rushing touchdown of the season - a 14-yard burst that reminded everyone of just how dynamic he can be.
“Starting with Bucky, just the explosive play ability,” Mayfield said. “Just having him back out there - he gets a lot of attention whether he’s getting the ball or not. The play’s never over - it doesn’t have to be blocked up perfect.”
That’s the kind of backfield presence that changes how defenses line up. And with Irving back in the mix alongside a now-healthy Chris Godwin, the Bucs are starting to look like the team many expected earlier in the year.
Playoff Mentality Starts Now
The math is simple: win the next three - against the Saints, Falcons, and Panthers - and Tampa Bay clinches the NFC South for the fifth straight season. But nothing’s guaranteed in December, especially in a division as unpredictable as this one.
The Saints (2-10) and Falcons (4-8) aren’t exactly juggernauts, but the Bucs can’t afford to take anything lightly. With just a half-game lead over Carolina - who they still face twice - the margin for error is razor thin.
Mayfield knows the stakes.
“It’s playoff mentality from here on out,” he said. “We’re in control of our own destiny. But it’s not going to be easy - we truly have to take it one game at a time.”
And there’s more help on the horizon. Jalen McMillan and Mike Evans are both trending toward returns, which would give the Bucs their full complement of weapons for the stretch run. If this group can finally get healthy and iron out the execution errors, there’s real potential for a late-season surge.
Final Word
This Bucs offense isn’t broken - it’s just been out of sync. But with playmakers returning and the margin for error shrinking, the urgency is right where it needs to be.
The pieces are there. The belief is there.
Now it’s about putting it all together - and the next few weeks will show whether Tampa Bay is ready to flip the switch or fade out.
Because in December, close doesn’t cut it.