The Buccaneers and Falcons met in a NFC South showdown in Week 14 with the balance of power in the division at stake.
While the Buccaneers eventually pulled out a 29–25 victory, one baffling defensive miscue left Tampa Bay vulnerable to a comeback from Atlanta at the start of the fourth quarter.
The Buccaneers took a 19–10 lead into the fourth, but the Falcons were driving with the ball and a chance to cut the lead to less than a field goal.
As Atlanta set up a first-and-goal, the Buccaneers defense struggled to match with their goal line personnel. The result? An easy touchdown for Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, thanks to the fact that Tampa Bay only had nine defensive players on the field when the ball was snapped.
Bucs had 9 men on the field for that Bijan Robinson touchdown pic.twitter.com/tVHHhkYDH7
— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) December 10, 2023
Fans and analysts alike were perplexed by the Buccaneers’ inability to get their defensive unit ready to go.
NFC south football baby https://t.co/9TP5xkjdaK
— charles (“you look good” - andy reid) mcdonald (@FourVerts) December 10, 2023
https://t.co/hJDGPN5Iyd pic.twitter.com/yFMoOD1wLj
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 10, 2023
Just a shambolic division across the board https://t.co/rLsvBWWqrA
— Jeanna Kelley (@jeannathomas) December 10, 2023
This will be the last head coaching job for Todd Bowles in the NFL. If they make the playoffs they could keep him for another season, but he’s never getting another job running a team after Tampa Bay
— Darby Robinson (@darby_robinson) December 10, 2023
Far too many simple, easy mistakes, happening every week https://t.co/gylktjBtc8
The score cut the Buccaneers’ lead to 19–17 with just over 11 minutes to play. But after both teams found a bit more offense to close the game, Tampa Bay was able to hold on for the win.
The victory left a three-way tie atop the NFC South between the Buccaneers, Falcons and Saints, with all three teams sitting at 6–7 for the season.
