TAMPA, Fla. – The throwback creamsicle look was everywhere at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday and at times the Bucs played like those teams that wore those uniforms.
The Falcons beat the Bucs 31-26 to sweep the series, and Bucs players and coaches searched for answers, especially on defense.” A lack of concentration,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said. “These are day one things we should know. either we missed the tackle, or we didn’t play it right. there’s no chemistry to it.”
For the second time in a month, the Bucs couldn’t figure out Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. Yes, the Bucs were without their two star wide receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but that doesn’t excuse the defense. Cousins threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns.
READ: Kirk Cousins Throws 4 Touchdowns As Falcons Soar Past Tampa Bay Buccaneers
“It starts with coaching,” Bowles said.”It starts with me. It starts with defensive coaches, and it starts with players. We’ve got to play better.”
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns but also threw two picks.
“We have the talent in this room,” Mayfield said. “We moved the ball today. We just have to do the little things right. Obviously, in an environment like we’re heading into on Monday Night in Kansas City, we know what we’re going to get.”
It was especially sweet for Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who was a head coach early in his career with the Bucs and more importantly it puts the Falcons in sole possession of first place in the NFC South.
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Good day, good win,” Morris said. “It’s always great to get away with a division win. We talk about ‘outrun the south,’ and the guys have absolutely bought into what we want to do.”
The Falcons host the Cowboys on Sunday, while the Bucs are in Kansas City to take on the Chiefs on Monday Night Football.
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