Photo by Kendall Bulkiewicz | The Crow’s Nest
By Kendall Bulkiewicz
As the Bucs get ready to play the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 4, the setback puts them at 4-4.
In a close game filled with big plays and tough breaks, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell short against the Atlanta Falcons 31-26 on Oct. 27.
The Buccaneers’ much anticipated “Creamsicle Game” is part of a tradition in which the team pays homage to its heritage by dressing in vintage orange jerseys.
The Bucs’ 1976 initial color scheme, which was characterized by the recognizable “Florida orange” jerseys worn with white helmets and the original Buccaneer insignia, “Bucco Bruce,” is referenced in these uniforms.
Despite the Bucs’ difficult early years as an expansion team, this vintage style became famous with the brilliant orange sticking out in NFL history.
With fans wearing vintage clothing, the stadium environment was transformed into a sea of orange, white and red for the game.
The first quarter of the game set the tone immediately. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Drake London which gave them an early lead. Quickly after, Buccaneers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield threw a 5-yard pass to tight end Cade Otton, tying the game 7-7.
The Bucs extended the score after Mayfield connected with running back Rachaad White for an 18-yard pass. Unfortunately, the Falcons were able to score two more touchdowns, with Cousins finding tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Darnell Mooney. Both teams scored a field goal, leaving the score at 24-17 just before halftime.
The game turned into much more of a close one going in the second half. The Falcons kept pushing forward in the third quarter with only 14 seconds left. Cousins completed a 6-yard pass to running back Bijan Robinson, making the score 31-17.
Mayfield successfully threw 26-of-39 passing for 309 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Otton for a touchdown that cut it to 31-26 with just minutes remaining in the last quarter.
“It’s hard when you’re playing against both the Falcons and ourselves. These are day-one things we should know. We just have to play better defensively,” Bowles quoted, reiterating the defensive struggles on a lack of concentration and misplaced tackles.
The game of the Bucs was large in defensive struggles, most especially when Cousins, who had completed 276 passing yards, felt in control.
Setting aside all the on-field challenges, wide receiver Sterling Shepard praised Mayfield’s spirit and competitiveness.
“He always plays with a chip on his shoulder, always plays with that fire. I love playing with him,” said Shepard.
The defeat dropped the Buccaneers to 4-4 on the season. Missing key players like wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans for the first time following their injuries in last week’s matchup against the Ravens, the Bucs struggled to maintain consistency, despite a talented roster.
Without these pivotal offensive players, the team couldn’t overcome mistakes at crucial moments, raising doubts ahead of their upcoming confrontation with the Kansas City Chiefs at 8:15 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, at Arrowhead Stadium.
