An impressive start to the season has completely unraveled for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have now dropped seven of their last eight games. With the playoffs still unclaimed heading into the final week, confidence is low in Tampa Bay, especially after another disappointing loss to the Miami Dolphins.
While a playoff spot technically remains within reach, head coach Todd Bowles is firmly on the hot seat, and frustration is boiling over. Even team legends have begun publicly voicing their disappointment, labeling the current state of the Buccaneers a “disaster.”
Bucs Legend Booger McFarland Calls Out Tampa Bay After Another Letdown
Entering Week 17, the Buccaneers’ defense ranked 20th in the NFL according to PFSN’s Team Defense Impact ratings. Though the unit has shown flashes throughout the season, inconsistency has been its defining trait.
That inconsistency was on full display against Miami. The Dolphins ran through Tampa Bay’s defense with ease, as De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, and company combined for 145 rushing yards. The Bucs simply had no answer on the ground.
Offensively, the struggles were just as glaring. Baker Mayfield committed three turnovers, two interceptions, and a lost fumble, derailing any chance of sustained momentum or a comeback. The offense repeatedly put itself in holes it couldn’t escape.
It was a disappointing performance across the board, and even if Tampa Bay somehow sneaks into the postseason, it’s difficult to imagine any opponent viewing them as a serious threat. Former Buccaneers defensive tackle Booger McFarland didn’t mince words, posting on X: “Bucs are a disaster.”
Tampa Bay had battled through injuries early in the season and looked promising at 5–1, with Mayfield playing some of his best football. Even McFarland believed the team could be building toward something meaningful. Instead, the wheels have fallen off, and the two-time Super Bowl champion has seen enough.
“Two teams that fooled us: Bucs and Colts,” McFarland wrote. “Injuries are a factor, but they both were not who their record said they were.”
Still, all hope is not lost. The Buccaneers enter the season finale at 7–9, while the Panthers sit at 8–8. Carolina can clinch the division with a win or a tie, but Tampa Bay’s path is simple: win and force the tiebreakers.
- Head-to-head: 1–1
- Division record: Both 3–3
- Common opponents: Tampa Bay holds the edge (6–6 vs. 5–7)
For a team that has already lost to the Saints and Falcons, believing in a road win over Carolina is a stretch. But anything is possible in the NFL. That said, even if the Buccaneers do find a way into the postseason, it’s hard to imagine their stay lasting more than one game.
