Buccaneers Regret Playing Safe, Fall Short Against Commanders

TAMPA — Maybe the Bucs had gone backward too many times to be very forward-thinking.

Whatever the reason, Todd Bowles did not demonstrate a very adventurous spirit during Sunday’s NFC wild-card game when it came to going for it on fourth down.

Monday, the head coach defended his decision to settle for Chase McLaughlin’s game-tying 32-yard field goal with 4:41 remaining.

The Bucs never got the ball back, and Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels made enough plays to kill the clock and set up Zane Gonzalez’s winning 37-yard field goal as time expired.

Washington converted 3 of 5 fourth-downs in the game and never punted while the Bucs played it safe and were sorry.

In case you’ve lost count, it was the fourth time the Bucs lost on the final play of a game this season. They had only seven offensive possessions Sunday.

It was reminiscent of another conservative decision by Bowles. The Bucs could have gone for a 2-point conversion Nov. 4 at Kansas City but lost in overtime when Patrick Mahomes won the coin toss and then the game.

Bowles defended his decision not to gamble Sunday on fourth and 3 from the Washington 14.

“It was third and 1, and obviously we get the (2-yard loss) and we go backwards,” Bowles said. “It was fourth and 3. We shot ourselves in the foot a few times on that drive, so it was easier to tie the ballgame in that (situation).

“If we were moving the ball at ease and getting down there every single time, we probably would’ve gone for it. But at the time we were going for it, we had a third and 1. We thought we had two downs to get 1 yard. We didn’t get it. We went backwards.

“It’s 20-17,” Bowles continued. “If we don’t get that (field goal), we possibly lose the ballgame. So at least we had a tie and could try to have the defense get the ball back.”

You know what happened next. Daniels and the Commanders picked up three first downs and then summoned Gonzalez, who doinked his kick off the right upright and through, lifting Washington to a 23-20 win.

The aggressiveness the Commanders showed by repeatedly going for it on fourth down didn’t make things more difficult for the Bucs defense, Bowles said.

“It wasn’t harder. We knew they were going to do it,” Bowles said. “We were prepared for it. (Daniels) out-athleted us on a few plays, and that’s a credit to him.”

Bowles said Monday he had not yet met with the Glazer family that owns the Bucs, but his job appears to be safe after going 10-7 and winning a third NFC South title.

He said there had been no discussion about firing defensive assistants, many of whom he has coached with at various stops for several decades.

“Not thinking about that right now,” Bowles said. “Again, we’re having exit interviews — we’re fresh off the loss. As the days come, we’ll go from there. We went to the playoffs five times with the defensive coaches we have. They’re very good coaches, obviously. A lot of things have to happen in that. … We’ve got to get more interceptions, we’ve got to coach it better, but we’ve got to play it better, as well.”

Will Coen be back?

One coaching change Bowles may have to make involves offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who will interview for the Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching job. The Bucs lost offensive coordinator Dave Canales after the 2023 season when he became the Carolina Panthers’ head coach.

“We’ve had a conversation,” Bowles said. “Me and Liam are very close — we have these types of conversations (as far as) what to expect from an interview and everything else. At least you know you’re picking the right guy. We’ll see what happens going forward from there. If they’re not talking about your guys for interviews, then you’re probably not doing it right.”

Tight end Cade Otton, who caught a career-high 59 passes for 600 yards and four touchdowns, said he would welcome not having to adjust to a fourth coordinator in as many years.

“I don’t know what’s going on or what’s going to happen,” Otton said. “But obviously we love Liam, and what he’s done this year with us is awesome. To be able to get another opportunity with him to improve and take an offseason to reflect and see what we can improve would be awesome, and I’d love that opportunity to work with him again.

“But obviously, this is a business and people have to do what they have to do for their families. Opportunities don’t always arise like this. Whatever he does, love him, appreciate him. Hopefully I get to work with him again, but everyone is different. Whatever happens, happens. We’ve got to move forward with whoever.”

What about Godwin, David?

Bowles indicated he would love to have linebacker Lavonte David and receiver Chris Godwin back next season.

Both are unrestricted free agents, but Godwin is recovering from a dislocated ankle he suffered in an Oct. 21 loss to the Ravens.

“He’s an outstanding player,” Bowles said. “If we can sign him back at all, I’d love to have him back here. I don’t know the significance yet of how long he’ll be out and how he will recover, but we’d definitely like to have him back.”

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