The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 3-2 early in 2024 and preparing for a second straight intradivision game, this one against the 2-3 New Orleans Saints in the Superdome. The Buccaneers are tied atop the NFC South with the 3-2 Atlanta Falcons, who will play the 1-4 Carolina Panthers in Charlotte on Sunday.
Had the Buccaneers successfully executed one specific game-situation exercise a week ago in Atlanta, they would have a two-game lead in the division.
With Tampa Bay leading, 30-27, in the fourth quarter and the tock clicking below three minutes left, Atlanta got the ball back after a Bucky Irving fumble at the Falcons' 25. The Buccaneers' defense held and linebacker Lavonte David intercepted a Kirk Cousins pass at the Atlanta 35, returning it to the 28. Atlanta had all three of its timeouts left, but one first down likely would have allowed the visitors to run out the clock. Instead, two of the next three plays lost yards and were sandwiched around a holding call. The Bucs ended up punting from the Falcons' 42 and Cousins was able to get the Falcons into field goal range, spiking the ball with one second left before Younghoe Koo drilled a 52-yarder. Atlanta won in overtime, 36-30.
That unwelcome outcome has had a direct effect on the Bucs' preparation this week. Coupled with a sweaty finish in a 20-16 win at Detroit in Week Two, the loss to Atlanta prompted the Bucs to spend extra time on successful closing out games.
View pictures from Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice on Thursday, October 10th, 2024.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Helmet during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Safety Jordan Whitehead #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Head Coach Todd Bowles and Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Safety Jordan Whitehead #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Inside Linebacker K.J. Britt #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 and Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Pass Game Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote and Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Inside Linebacker K.J. Britt #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Tight End Payne Durham #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Director of Nutrition Jessica Pastuf during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 and Cornerbacks Coach Kevin Ross of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43 and Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6, Quarterback Kyle Trask #2 and Quarterback Michael Pratt #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Quarterback Michael Pratt #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Outside Linebackers Coach George Edwards, Defensive Lineman Greg Gaines #96 and Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodgers of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka #9, Outside Linebackers Coach George Edwards, Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 and Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodgers of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 and Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #15 and Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27, Cornerbacks Coach Kevin Ross, Safety Tykee Smith #23 and Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 and Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Linebacker Antonio Grier Jr. #48, Outside Linebacker Daniel Grzesiak #57 and Inside Linebacker K.J. Britt #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Linebacker Vi Jones #53 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43, Outside Linebacker Jose Ramirez #33, Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98, Outside Linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka #9, Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 and Outside Linebacker Markees Watts #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Pass Game Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote, Outside Linebackers Coach George Edwards, Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #95 and Defensive Lineman Earnest Brown #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 10, 2024 - Offensive Lineman Lorenz Metz #71 and Tackle Raiqwon O'Neal #75 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University due to Hurricane Milton. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"We had an opportunity to win that game, and we have to use that as a learning moment," said Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen. "If we don't learn from this and get better from this, it will happen again. And we emphasized it today in practice – the exact same situation, the exact same time, the exact same type of deal, we kind of replicated that today in practice. We went over the plays we would run, executed them and will continue to try and learn from those moments."
Obviously, the Bucs' defense also had a shot to close out the game in Atlanta, but Coen's concern is the offense and what is commonly known as a "four-minute drill." In this case, the Bucs only had two kill two minutes, but the idea is the same: Gain a clinching first down or two against a defense that knows you are likely to lean on the run game in order to avoid clock-stopping incompletions.
How do you get better in such situations? Well, you replicate them in practice and work on it, and you help your players stick to the important details in what is obviously a highly stressfull situation.
"I think that when it comes down to times of crisis and the game is [hanging in the balance] – you're tired, you're fatigued, you're maybe a little anxious, right?" said Coen. "We have to stress and remind and go back to fundamentals and technique. What is my footwork? What is my track? What is my read? What is my assignment?
"So, if you look back at the last drive going back, we have it closed out and we have to be on the screws with the details, the footwork, the reads, the track and understand how everything is so important on every play to go close out a game."
