Hurricane season is over, but there’s a storm brewing in the NFC South. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost five of their last six games, loosening their grip on a division title and letting the Carolina Panthers hang around longer than most expected. After a surprising loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 14, the Buccaneers fell short against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football.
Baker Mayfield’s MVP campaign is over, Mike Evans’ 1,000-yard streak will soon come to an end, and head coach Todd Bowles can feel his seat warming. When things are going poorly, everything gets put under the microscope. In the wake of Week 15’s loss, fans are taking issue with the team’s running back usage in the red zone.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fans Question Bucky Irving vs. Sean Tucker
Recently, Tampa has leaned on running back Sean Tucker at the goal line instead of starter Bucky Irving. Buccaneers fans haven’t taken kindly to the change, and fantasy managers are more than happy to criticize the coaching staff.
However, Bowles isn’t necessarily wrong to look for a more powerful back in these short-yardage situations.
After the loss, reporter Greg Auman defended the decision to turn to Tucker at the goal line.
“I probably would pick a game where they didn’t go 3-for-3 in the red zone, for starters,” Auman posted. “I’d also look at red-zone stats, and see Irving averages 2.1 yards per carry & 3.7 yards per catch in the red zone, with two first downs in 14 touches. If you know that, do you need to ask?”
You’re struggling with this. Irving has 16 touches/targets in the red zone. Failed to gain yards on eight of them. A single yard on three others. Two touchdowns in 16 plays. No other first downs. Not his strength. Shouldn’t get the ball more there. https://t.co/UTRhNpOPKm
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 12, 2025
Tucker had a couple of ugly runs on Thursday, but he found the end zone in the 29-28 loss. He carried the ball four times for seven yards, although his inefficiency can largely be attributed to his use; goal-line carries are inherently going to shrink one’s yards per attempt.
Irving, meanwhile, logged 16 carries and 60 yards and did not score.
After last season’s breakout, Irving has struggled in 2025. By PFSN’s Running Back Impact metric, he ranks 54th among 59 qualifiers. Tucker ranks 49th, and Rachaad White, who was on the field for Tampa’s two-point conversion attempt, ranks 24th in his limited action.
“You’re struggling with this,” he added. “Irving has 16 touches/targets in the red zone. Failed to gain yards on eight of them. A single yard on three others. Two touchdowns in 16 plays. No other first downs. Not his strength. Shouldn’t get the ball more there.”
MORE: Buccaneers’ Playoff Scenarios Week 15: Tampa Bay’s Updated Postseason and NFC South Chances
Fantasy managers are frequently frustrated when their stars don’t maximize opportunities, but the Buccaneers have clear roles outlined for their backs. This keeps them fresh and amplifies their strengths. As Auman noted, the numbers back the coaching staff, and the offense’s issues occurred outside the red zone.
Change is necessary in Tampa. Injuries have taken hold, Bowles’ defense has taken a step back, and a once-promising season is in danger. With the sky falling and issues on either side of the ball, the Buccaneers’ backfield philosophy shouldn’t be a point of contention.
