Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Martín Gramática watched the game at Raymond James Stadium. His eyes were scanning the same field he once made magic on. Well, the 2025 season has the feel of a rerun. The same script, but a new TV station.
The Buccaneers legend is watching his old team struggle through November. Injuries are piling up like dirty clothes. Losses are piling up like pancakes at Denny’s. Gramática can see what’s wrong. Fans can see it too. The NFC South title sits precariously on top of Tampa Bay.
The Patriots’ Loss Still Haunts Gramática
Martín Gramática had no problem expressing how much he felt the Patriots’ loss. “I think the one that hurt the most, in my opinion, was the Patriots won at home because that’s one that I feel like we should have had, we could have had,” he said to Bucs team reporter Casey Phillips. November 9, 2025. At home. A game the Buccaneers should have won. The final score was 28-23. New England left smiling. The Buccaneers received a major body blow.
Bucs legend Martín Gramática points out the game that stung the most and started the mid-season downfall in a conversation with team reporter Casey Phillips. pic.twitter.com/81YlRvlMIq
— Gourab Saha (@gourabsaha666) November 26, 2025
Drake Maye tore apart Tampa Bay’s defense. The young quarterback played like Tom Brady 2.0. Maye was 16/31. 270 yards. 2 touchdowns. No fear. The Patriots’ offense lit up the scoreboard for three touchdowns of 50 or more yards. Kyle Williams went 72 yards. TreVeyon Henderson ran 55 and 69 yards. Todd Bowles seemed as though he had lost his playbook. Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield attempted to respond.
Mayfield threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, it was not enough. The Buccaneers’ offense came to a screeching halt when it counted. Mayfield stated it himself: “Just did not execute well enough.” It was the little things that hurt the Buccaneers. A missed block here. A dropped pass there. The Buccaneers gave up big plays like they were handing them out free at Costco. And that resulted in another home loss that will be painful for three weeks.
That loss began the downfall. Buffalo and Los Angeles followed. And the number of injured players continued to grow.
The Injury Train Wreck Has Become a Painful Reality
The 2025 Buccaneers look like a MASH unit. Mike Evans hobbled off. Chris Godwin joined him. Bucky Irving disappeared. Then Baker Mayfield suffered an injury. The Buccaneers’ quarterback scrambled against the Rams on November 23. His left shoulder gave way. Teddy Bridgewater entered the game. But the Buccaneers’ offense gave up. Gramática knows the effect of key injuries. “When you have Mike Evans go, Godwin, Bucky, these guys that are game changers,” he said. His words stand true.
The Buccaneers are currently at a crossroads. The playoffs are approaching. Bowles needs his superstars back. Mayfield’s shoulder sprain is causing concern. MRI results are looming over the facility like a storm cloud. Without Mayfield, the Buccaneers’ offense will be predictable. Teams will stack the box. The Buccaneers’ running game will falter. Meanwhile, the defense is also suffering.
Jamel Dean is playing like an All-Pro. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Dean has a grade of 90.5. He is leading the NFL. However, Todd Bowles is rotating Dean with Benjamin Morrison. And Morrison is struggling. He allowed two touchdowns of 43 and 42 yards to Tyrel Shavers and Gabe Davis. The rookie appears confused. Dean is sitting on the sidelines. It doesn’t make any sense. And special teams are adding to the pain.
Kickoff coverage imploded against Buffalo. The Bills returned kickoffs of 61, 44, and 41 yards. The Bucs lost possession of the field. Coaching decisions are confusing the media and fans alike. Bowles chose to punt on 4th-and-2. He claimed there was “enough time” to stop Buffalo. They scored regardless. The Buccaneers have less room for error each week. They are losing ground in the division. The Panthers are 5-5 and smelling blood.
Martín Gramática knows what it takes to win championships. He won a championship with the Buccaneers. There are moments of brilliance from the Buccaneers. Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka tied Mike Evans’ record. Seven touchdowns in nine games. Wide receiver Tez Johnson is playing above his draft slot. They have talented players. However, injuries are killing the Buccaneers’ momentum. The Patriots’ loss sparked the decline. The Bills’ loss exacerbated the decline. The Rams’ loss is the fresh wound that stings the most. Three losses in three weeks. Will the Buccaneers be able to climb back?
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