The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a record of 4-2 and are tied for first place in the NFC South. As they reach the sixth week of the season, they are still figuring out their identity.
“Right now, it’s just resiliency,” coach Todd Bowles said Monday, reflecting on a week where the Bucs evacuated from Florida due to Hurricane Milton, spent five days in New Orleans getting ready to face the Saints, and then bounced back from a rough second quarter to win 51-27.
“Us coming back and forming toughness in the second half and learning from our mistakes,” Bowles added. “If we can cut down on penalties and stop hurting ourselves — which we are doing more and more — I think we have a chance to be a very good team.”
The offense has scored 30 or more points four times this season, after struggling to score in the past two years.
The defense has been one of the strongest in the NFL since Bowles became the defensive coordinator in 2019, but it hasn’t been as reliable this season.
Injuries have played a part in this. However, after Sunday’s big win over New Orleans, it looks like things may improve with All-Pro safety Antonie Winfield Jr. (foot) and second-year defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (calf) returning to the lineup.
Winfield, who missed four games after getting hurt in the season opener, picked up a fumble and returned it 58 yards on the Saints’ first possession. Kancey, who was inactive for the first five games, played on Sunday and recorded two tackles for losses, a sack, and a quarterback hit.
“With Win and Kancey back, the defense definitely felt it. You felt Kancey up front. You felt Winfield in the back end,” Bowles said. “You could see their confidence rise, especially in the second half.”
The Buccaneers had a 17-0 lead that turned into a 27-24 deficit at halftime, with the Saints scoring a touchdown on a punt return and Baker Mayfield throwing three interceptions in the second quarter.
Mayfield finished 24 of 36 passing for 325 yards and four touchdowns. However, the Bucs only threw the ball six times in the second half and ran for 220 of their season-high 277 rushing yards.
Tampa Bay outscored New Orleans 27-0 in the second half and set a franchise record with 594 total yards of offense.
Bowles mentioned that the team is learning they can win in different ways. “It helps us mature faster,” the coach said.
“Last year, we needed a couple of losses before we could bounce back. This year, we’re learning from our mistakes each week and correcting them, then executing the following week,” Bowles added. “From a maturity standpoint, it shows we’re growing faster.”
