Last year, it was Lovie.
This year, it is Mike.
And for the Tampa Bay Bucs, the result has been the same old Smith. Once again, the Bucs’ defense let them down Thursday night in a 43-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons that really wasn’t that close.
In a matter of days, the Bucs have given up 1,087 yards, 58 first downs and 73 points in back-to-back losses to the Raiders and Falcons. Tampa Bay beat Atlanta, 31-24, in the season opener. But Sunday’s result suggests how well the Falcons are playing and how poorly the Bucs are.
In two weeks, for instance, the Bucs have allowed 63 completions in 93 attempts with no interceptions.
“We’re 3-5,” Koetter said. “That’s where we’re at. We’re 3-5 at the halfway point and that’s what we’ve earned. That’s what we talked about in the locker room. We’ve got half the season left. I’ve got to figure out a way to make this team play up to their potential. Because I don’t like we are right now. That’s 100 percent on me.”
The Bucs were close for a half, trailing only 20-14 at the break. But the Falcons pulled ahead 33-14 going into the final quarter.
Quarterback Jameis Winston left the game limping with a knee injury. He swore he was healthy, and as he left the interview room, broke into an impromptu dance to prove that his leg was fine.
There wasn’t much else for the Bucs to take pride in. Winston threw for 261 yards, and Mike Evans caught 11 passes for 150 yards and two scores. The Bucs, however, rushed for only 73 yards and averaged 3.8 yards per carry.
The Bucs are home against Chicago a week from Sunday.
