Buccaneers Wild Card Top Performers vs. Washington Commanders

Another walk-off loss summed up Tampa Bay’s entire season.

The game of inches can be brutal and unforgiving, and the Buccaneers experienced that in full force Sunday night.

A botched handoff, a mistimed snap, and a unfortuitous doink served as the hallmarks of a frustrating loss as the Washington Commanders claimed their first playoff win in 19 years with a last-second 23-20 victory over the Bucs.

The primetime woes continued under Todd Bowles, who falls to 3-8 in such contests and drops to 1-3 in the postseason. His defense, while feisty, simply could not muster the stops necessary to keep the wily Commanders and rookie sensation Jayden Daniels off the scoreboard when they needed it.

The offense played disjointed football as well, with several critical errors that disrupted their normally lethal efficiency. Mayfield, who’s become good for at least one critical mistake per game, once again coughed up the ball in a key moment while penalties and operational issues plagued the rest of the unit.

It could be an off-season that features significant change, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. But for now, let’s do our last shout-outs of the 2024 season. Cheers, all.

Offensive Top Performer: WR Mike Evans

If the Bucs pulled off this victory, everyone spends tomorrow talking about how Evans exercised any and all of his Marshon Lattimore demons by absolutely beating the crap out of him. Alas.

Evans lined up against his long-term nemesis throughout the first half and skewered him to the tune of 4 catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, as well as a drawn pass interference penalty. No. 13 came into the game locked in and delivered as he so often does.

Evans finished with a game-high 7 catches for 92 yards, capping a brilliant season for him despite the mid-year injury and the Bucs dealing with ailments to their entire receiver and tight end room. More special moments should still be in store for his 12th season.

Bucky Irving capped his rookie campaign with another solid effort in the limited time the offense maintained possession (just 24:34). He carried 17 times for 77 yards and added a touchdown reception to keep the team’s ground game chugging along. He’ll enter his sophomore season as the undisputed bellcow.

Defensive Top Performer: LB Lavonte David

Once again, the defense provided little in the way of highlight plays. They failed to force any turnovers, which means the last time they recorded one was against the Los Angeles Chargers a month ago. They also failed to force any punts while allowing multiple drives of 7+ minutes, as Washington held a commanding T.O.P. lead (35:26).

But through it all, Lavonte David has persevered. He showed up as a man possessed, totaling 8 tackles and making several key plays that included chasing down the hyper-athletic Daniels for a sack and breaking up a would-be touchdown on fourth down.

If it was the franchise legend’s last game in Raymond James Stadium, it was a fitting end for the soon-to-be 35 year old. He gave it everything he had, like he has through his entire 13-year career.

Calijah Kancey continued to flash as a disruptor at 3-technique, though he might be remembered more for the play he didn’t make in this game — namely failing to take down Daniels on the final third-down play that sealed Tampa’s fate. Nevertheless, he still led the team in sacks this year (7.5) and his potential is sky-high if he can simply stay healthy for a full 17-game docket.

Special Teams Top Performer: K Chase McLaughlin

“Money” McLaughlin continued his stellar season by making both of his critical kicks, yet unfortunately did not get a chance to match Washington kicker Zane Gonzalez’s game-winner.

After years of suffering, it will never not be gratifying to an elite leg like McLaughlin has been since joining up with the Bucs. Here’s hoping he can maintain that consistency for the foreseeable future.

I’m also going to shout out rookie punter Jack Browning. It was a nightmare year for punters in Tampa, but Browning delivered his best effort of his young career with two very good punts Sunday, including his first pinned inside the 10. He would’ve had another pinned inside the 20 if not for some truly horrendous tackling.

He won’t be handed the 2025 starting job on the silver platter by any means, but he’ll at least have a foot in the door to compete.