Buccaneers nonetheless attempting to determine the way to go from being a superb staff to an ideal one

[ad_1] TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the season aiming for greater than a division title.

9 video games in, the four-time defending NFC South champions are nonetheless attempting to determine the way to go from being a superb staff to an ideal one. They're main the division once more, however aren't enjoying like a staff that may go deep within the playoffs.

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“The distinction between a superb and an ideal staff is preparation every day,” coach Todd Bowles mentioned on Monday. “I don’t assume we’re nice. We put together. More often than not, we’re superb. It’s only one or two guys which have a clean or a (psychological error) right here or there that prices everyone else, and it’s a distinct man every time, and we’ve obtained to get that fastened.”

The Bucs (6-3) had a number of lapses in a 28-23 loss at dwelling to the New England Patriots. The protection allowed 4 performs of fifty yards or extra and the offense couldn’t get going after scoring a landing on the opening drive. They didn’t rating once more till the ultimate drive to chop right into a 12-point deficit.

Baker Mayfield was vital of his teammates afterward, indicating there have been points in follow that weren’t solved.

“Sooner or later, when the stuff comes up through the week, whether or not it’s errors or issues we discuss after which it exhibits up on Sundays, you need to have some satisfaction about you,” Mayfield mentioned. “You gotta have the worry of that failure and messing up in your teammates once we discuss one thing, you gotta have higher duty and accountability for the blokes round you and get it fastened.”

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With street video games arising in opposition to the Payments and Rams, it’ll take an upset for the Buccaneers to keep away from dropping to 6-5 after a 6-2 begin. Nonetheless, the schedule then will get softer. Tampa Bay’s remaining six video games are in opposition to groups that at present have a shedding file.

“We fear about us. We’re not apprehensive about Buffalo till we play on Sunday,” Bowles mentioned. “At this level, each week’s going to be a round-robin event. Everyone’s going to be enjoying for desperation, as we see it anyway. So, we’ve obtained to deal with the issues we’ve obtained to deal with, appropriate our errors, come out and put our greatest foot ahead, and execute like we all know the way to execute.”

What’s working

The run recreation was stable. The Bucs had 113 yards speeding in opposition to the NFL’s No. 1 run protection. Sean Tucker turned the primary working again to go over 50 yards in opposition to the Patriots this season. He had 53 on 9 carries. Rachaad White added 38 yards on 10 carries. General, Tampa Bay averaged 5.4 yards per carry. Nonetheless, it appeared the Bucs didn’t follow the run sufficient. They ran 21 occasions and handed 45.

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What wants assist

The protection gave up manner too many large performs, together with 4 of fifty yards or extra. Drake Maye accomplished a TD cross of 72 yards and a 54-yard cross on third-and-14. TreVeyon Henderson ran for TDs of 55 and 69 yards.

Top off

Emeka Egbuka. The rookie vast receiver was off to a sensational begin earlier than a hamstring harm slowed him. Egbuka ended up with six catches for 115 yards and one TD vs. the Patriots.

Inventory down

Run protection. They surrendered 166 yards on the bottom, together with 147 to Henderson with most of it approaching the 2 lengthy TD runs.

Accidents

LG Ben Bredeson left with a hamstring harm within the first quarter. ... RB Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder), WR Chris Godwin (fibula), WR Mike Evans (clavicle), WR Jalen McMillan (neck) and OLB Haason Reddick (knee, ankle) have been out. Evans and McMillan are on injured reserve. Irving, Godwin and Reddick are nearer to returning.

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Key quantity

5 — The Bucs have solely turned the ball over 5 occasions this season, together with simply two interceptions by Mayfield.

Subsequent steps

The Buccaneers go to the Buffalo Payments (6-3) subsequent Sunday. The Payments are coming off an embarrassing 30-13 loss to the lowly Miami Dolphins.