The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are struggling to find their footing as a mid-season slump has turned into a full-blown crisis. Following a narrow 20-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday, the team has now dropped four games in a row. The mounting pressure has become evident on the field; during Sunday’s game, cameras captured a heated sideline exchange between rookie running back Bucky Irving and star tackle Tristan Wirfs.

While the footage quickly went viral and sparked rumors of locker room tension, the press wasted no time questioning head coach Todd Bowles about the incident. During the post-game press conference, Bowles responded:

“Things are not splintering from within. When you lose, players get frustrated, but they still work together, and they’re very close.”

The reality of the situation was that Irving, frustrated after a stagnant offensive series, appeared to be venting toward the offensive line. Wirfs, who was inactive for the game due to a toe injury but remained a vocal leader on the sidelines, stepped in to confront the rookie and settle him down.

Bowles reassured the media and fans that the roster remains a tight-knit group, stating that while emotions are running high, the players are focused on fixing their mistakes rather than turning on one another. As the Buccaneers prepare for their regular-season finale, the dynamic between Irving and Wirfs highlights the team’s current state: young players are feeling the weight of a late-season collapse for the first time. At the same time, veterans are tasked with keeping the group composed.

Tampa Bay now faces a “must-win” scenario in Week 18, where they will need both a victory and outside help to salvage their season and secure a postseason spot.

Baker Mayfield believes the Bucs still have a final chance

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a strange position. Even though they lost a depressing game to the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday, they are still very much alive in the race for the NFC South division title. The team has been struggling lately, losing four games in a row and seven of their last eight. However, because the Carolina Panthers also lost their game at home against Seattle, the Bucs still have a clear path to the playoffs

“Here’s the thing: we still have a chance next week. We’ve been blessed with a chance next week, and the guys need to handle it the right way. Lavonte (David) spoke to the team after the game and hit the nail on the head, so we’ve got to respond.” Mayfield still optimistically said after the loss, via the Associated Press.

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The 20-17 loss in Miami was a difficult one to watch. For much of the afternoon, the Bucs trailed by double digits and struggled to keep up. Their defense was picked apart by Miami’s rookie quarterback, Quinn Ewers, and the offense couldn’t find a rhythm. 

Quarterback Baker Mayfield had a rough day, turning the ball over three times with two interceptions and a fumble. While he finished with 346 passing yards, almost all of his success came on short throws; he struggled significantly on deep passes, completing only one out of seven attempts for 33 yards. 

Despite these mistakes, the team remains hopeful.  Everything now comes down to Week 18. If the Buccaneers can beat the Carolina Panthers, they will finish the season with an 8-9 record. In the unusual world of the NFC South this year, that losing record would likely be enough to win the division.