Skip Bayless was none too pleased about Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles’ defensive strategies in their game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. Both teams delivered a high-scoring offensive game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, combining for over 800 yards of offense that led to an overtime.
While fans were thrilled at the spectacle, Bayless wasn’t. The veteran analyst called Bowles out on X, criticizing his coaching decisions that allowed the Falcons to convert twice on fourth down and tie the game in the fourth quarter.
“Bucs made two big-time running-play stops … then on 4th and 4 missed the tackle on Mooney and let him waltz home for the tying TD. This Todd Bowles defense … doesn’t look anything like a Todd Bowles defense … having already given up almost 400 yards,” he wrote.
The Buccaneers’ defense pushed back against Atlanta’s offense early in the fourth quarter, preventing the Falcons’ three consecutive attempts to score a game-tying touchdown. However, the Falcons pushed through, with quarterback Kirk Cousins throwing a pass to wideout Darnell Mooney close to the scrimmage line. Mooney successfully evaded all the Buccaneers tackles and the Falcons scored the touchdown they needed for a tie.
Mooney with the moves and we’re all tied up in ATL! #TBvsATL on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/0IBE6TUfRb— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2024
Todd Bowles’ Buccaneers let Falcons slip away with the win
Darnell Mooney’s game-tying touchdown wasn’t the only play Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles let the Atlanta Falcons slip with.
With less than two minutes left in the final quarter, Tampa Bay seemingly had the game won when linebacker Lavonte David intercepted Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins’ ball, allowing the Buccaneers the chance to seal the game with a first down or kick an easy field goal to extend their lead to six points.
CHAOS AGAIN! @Buccaneers with the pick!!!#TBvsATL on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/YR1Cnys7NE— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2024
However, the Bucs lost 14 yards on their possession due to two negative plays and a holding penalty. Out of field goal range, they were forced to punt the ball.
Tampa Bay’s defense was powerless to stop Kirk Cousins from driving the ball 51 yards down the field with 1:14 left in the game clock and setting up a game-tying field goal attempt that placekicker Younghoe Koo converted to send the game to overtime.
OVERTIME BABY!!!!!#TBvsATL on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/BtDiRkmBAI— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2024
In the overtime coin toss, the Buccaneers called tails, but it resulted in heads, giving the Falcons the possession and the chance to earn a touchdown victory.
“This is starting to feel inevitable. Bucs can’t cover ANYbody and can’t get any pressure on Cousins,” Bayless posted on X.
After Cousins completed two quick passes, Bayless seemingly saw the foregone conclusion, and he was right; on the next play, Cousins saw KhaDarel Hodge open for a pass, and the wideout ran 45 yards for the touchdown and the win.
ITS OVER FOLKS! @ATLANTAFALCONS WIN! pic.twitter.com/0siBNxaHKQ
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2024
Cousins’ career-high 509 passing yards that night was a testament to the sloppiness of Todd Bowles’ defensive coaching.
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