Bucs Blog! 2014 Season, Week 9.

Yeah, I’m at the point where I can’t even do these on game day, anymore.

Browns 22 – Bucs 17

It’s an easily recognized pattern at this point: Tampa squandering opportunity after opportunity to take or preserve a lead, while allowing the other team to hang on far too long until a critical, costly mistake dooms them.

This week? Tampa’s special teams was the culprit. A blocked field goal attempt, along with a deflected punt and a penalty that allowed the Browns to forego a field goal in favor of a touchdown, all contributed to the Bucs’ inability to close out a much-needed victory. Despite all of that, Tampa still had a chance at a go-ahead score late in the game, but the offense failed on three consecutive plays to gain the one yard necessary to keep a drive moving, and complicated that by tacking on penalty yardage. That’s just ridiculous.

:: Sigh ::

This latest loss drops the Bucs to 1-7, and hoping they can still get decent catering for the playoff parties they’ll be hosting later this season.  As for the rest of the NFC South, the New Orleans Saints are sitting on top after the defeat of division rival Carolina Panthers on Thursday evening, and even with their bye Atlanta was able to solidify their third-place standing thanks to Tampa’s loss. So, you know…yay.

Next up for the Bucs? Hosting those aforementioned Falcons. According to unconfirmed reports, Tampa and Atlanta are considering dispensing with the actual football game in favor of Pictionary. Stay tuned as details develop.