There was Tristan Wirfs, sitting in front of his locker on Thursday. His eyes spoke volumes. The look you get after eating a gas station hot dog that has been in the same container since dawn. Complete disgust.
The Buccaneers had authored yet another collapse for the ages. A 28-14 lead going into the 4th quarter evaporated quicker than the morning dew in the Sunshine State. The Atlanta Falcons exited Raymond James Stadium with a 29-28 win, leaving everyone wearing Pewter and Red seeing actual red.
Tristan Wirfs: Let It Stew
“Insane,” Wirfs said with a shake of the head after the game. “That was f—ing insane.” Wirfs struggled to come up with an explanation. “We lost to the 2-10 Saints, and we lost to—I don’t know what the Falcons’ record is. At home. Up two scores. Yeah, I don’t really… I don’t know.” Frustration poured out of him like a tipped-over Gatorade jug.
“I hope everyone sits and lets this f—ing stew,” Wirfs added, a rare display of raw emotion from the lineman. Wirfs has now apologized for the profanity on Monday. “You should be mad about something like that,” he explained. “I apologize for the profanity. But yeah, I think… everyone came in today knowing what we have to do.” Meanwhile, statistics tell a dismal tale.
The Buccaneers allowed a 4-9 team to gain 476 yards of offense. Kirk Cousins carved up the defense for 373 passing yards and three touchdowns. Kyle Pitts appeared to be dominating a group of boys, catching 11 balls for 166 yards. The Falcons committed 19 penalties for 125 yards and still emerged victorious. This is akin to having a three-stroke advantage in golf and still winning with a seven-iron. Baker Mayfield also threw a crucial fourth-quarter interception that provided the spark for Atlanta’s comeback.
“This falls on my shoulders,” Mayfield said. The quarterback knew he blew it. Todd Bowles voiced the sentiment of his left tackle in a post-game tirade of epic proportions.
“It’s inexcusable,” Bowles boomed. “You’ve got to f—ing care enough to where the s–t hurts. It’s got to f—ing mean something to you.” The normally stoic coach dropped more f-bombs than a Martin Scorsese film. The locker room needed to hear it.
Bucs Road Back to Redemption
Disappointment has become a familiar theme to the fans of this franchise. The 1979 team came close to reaching the Super Bowl but fell short of the goal in the NFC Championship. The 1999 team fell one yard shy of appearing in the big game. However, this collapse is different. It is self-inflicted. The Buccaneers have lost five of their last six games. They’ve become the baseball version of the 2004 Yankees—talented, but choking in new and creative ways. The remainder of the Bucs’ schedule provides a glimmer of hope.
The Bucs play the Panthers twice in the final three weeks. Mike Evans, returning from a broken collarbone, contributed 132 receiving yards. Jalen McMillan, back from a neck injury, added 38. The duo’s contributions helped add some life to the offense. “Super proud of them,” Wirfs exclaimed on Monday. The O-line did a great job protecting Mayfield when it mattered most. The skill players were there. Execution failed them. Now, execution needs to become the focus of this team.
The defensive lapses continue to plague this team. Third-and-28 turned into a 14-yard completion. Fourth-and-14 somehow turned into a first down. These types of mistakes happen during Pop Warner games, but happened on national television. Bowles put it simply to the players. “The coaches have done everything they can do,” he said. “This is a player-driven team.” That simply translates to, ‘Figure it out yourselves, gentlemen. The cavalry isn’t coming.’
Wirfs knows what is at stake. “You just got to get into the dance,” he explained. The playoffs provide a fresh slate. Sins of the regular season might get washed away in the cold water of January. However, you cannot dance if you do not earn an invitation.
The Buccaneers still have control of their own destiny. The division crown is theirs for the taking. Sterling Shepard refused to panic. “Everything that we want is right in front of us,” the receiver emphasized. The locker room chemistry is still strong. Leadership exists within the quiet confidence of players such as Wirfs.
Tristan Wirfs issued a challenge. He demanded that the pain of losing to inferior foes become the foundation for their final stand. The question is now about heart. And as they head to Carolina, we’ll find out if the team finally decided to let that frustration stew or if they simply let their season boil away.