The Tampa Bay Buccaneers worked very hard to squander what should have been a crucial victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night, allowing Kirk Cousins to author a 14-point fourth quarter comeback and set the Carolina Panthers up atop the NFC South. After building a 28-14 lead, Todd Bowles's team wasted opportunity after opportunity with physical and mental mistakes en route to a stunning defeat sealed when Zane Gonzalez snuck a field goal through the uprights as time expired.
Bowles metered out blame for a meltdown that could very well leave Tampa Bay watching the playoffs from home during his postgame commentary. And let's just say that he had a clear and expletive-filled message about what needs to change.
