Frustrated Brady, skidding Bucs seeking answers to tailspin

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady sat in entrance of his locker in full uniform for a number of minutes, his head buried at occasions in his arms.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have misplaced 5 of six video games following a 2-0 begin, their 45-year-old quarterback has misplaced three straight begins for the primary time in 20 years, and nobody professes to have a fast or straightforward repair.

“I don’t assume anybody feels good. … However we haven’t earned it,” Brady mentioned from a podium later Thursday night time, reflecting on a 27-22 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. “We’ve obtained to go earn it. … You’ve obtained to struggle onerous and determine find out how to win video games.”

The Bucs (3-5), held to a landing and 5 discipline targets the earlier two weekends throughout shocking losses to the struggling Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers, performed higher in spurts in opposition to the Ravens, although not properly sufficient to come back near pulling out of their tailspin.

The ultimate rating didn’t mirror Baltimore’s dominance, significantly within the second half when Lamar Jackson was excellent passing (8 of 8 for 94 yards and two touchdowns), and the Ravens ran for many of their 231 yards dashing.

The Bucs offense scored a landing within the opening quarter for the primary time, however expensive errors and an incapability to maintain drives prevented the unit from constructing on the 10-3 lead Tampa Bay held into the second half.

As soon as the Ravens started to run the ball constantly, the protection had no solutions for stopping Jackson, Gus Edwards, Kenyan Drake and Devin Duvernay.

Brady, who is 2 video games beneath .500 for the primary time in a 23-year profession, turned visibly annoyed as the sport step by step slipped away.

“I feel we struggled just about at the whole lot,” the seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion mentioned.

“No one is pointing a finger at Tom Brady. It’s the entire crew,” receiver Mike Evans mentioned. “It’s a crew recreation — the final word crew recreation — not only one participant. It by no means has been.”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady walks off the sector following an NFL soccer recreation in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Ravens received 27-22.

Coach Todd Bowles on Thursday night time appeared to recommend he would possibly think about some staffs adjustments earlier than the Bucs play once more every week from Sunday, concluding: “When you’re not taking part in properly, the whole lot is on the desk.”

The coach’s tone shifted Friday, when Bowles mentioned he and his employees will meet over the weekend to debate whether or not adjustments are wanted schematically.

“We personal our document at 3-5. We misplaced (Thursday night time). We perceive we misplaced. We performed onerous. (There’s) no comfort in taking part in onerous. We’ve obtained to get higher. We will solely repair it,” Bowles mentioned.

“We’re nonetheless in a darkish place proper now. We will solely grind and get higher,” the coach added. “We could be higher at it as coaches. They are often higher at it as gamers.”

WHAT’S WORKING

With the offense persevering with to battle to maintain drives and rating touchdowns, and the protection seemingly caught in reverse, too, kicker Ryan Succop and rookie punter Jake Camarda arguably have been the crew’s most constant gamers. Succop booted three extra discipline targets Thursday night time and is nineteen of 20 this season, together with 9 of 9 past 40 yards. Camarda, a fourth-round draft alternative, has a 41.3 web common on 38 punts and compelled opposing offenses to start possessions inside their very own 20-yard line 12 occasions.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

4 days after yielding 173 yards dashing to Carolina, which began its third-string quarterback and had traded star operating again Christian McCaffrey earlier within the week, the Bucs protection had much more problem stopping the Ravens.

STOCK UP

Second-year professional Nick Leverett made his first NFL begin in opposition to the Ravens, filling in for injured rookie Luke Goedeke at left guard. “Basically he could be a little bit higher, however he performed onerous and I feel he performed robust,” Bowles mentioned, assessing Leverett’s play.

STOCK DOWN

Brady isn’t getting a lot assist from the operating recreation, which ranks final the NFL. The Bucs ran for 44 yards on 15 carries, averaging simply 2.9 yards per try in opposition to the Ravens.

INJURIES

LB Shaquil Barrett tore an Achilles tendon throughout the second half Thursday night time and can miss the rest of the season. … WR Julio Jones (knee) performed for the primary time in 4 weeks, ending with two receptions for 21 yards and his first TD of the season. “After the sport he was OK. Once more, I’ve obtained to attend and see in the present day and (Saturday) the way it actually holds up,” Bowles mentioned.

KEY NUMBER

Zero — Takeaways by the Bucs protection over the previous 4 video games.

NEXT UP

Gamers may have two days off earlier than reconvening to start preparations for internet hosting the defending Tremendous Bowl champion Rams on Nov. 6.

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Extra AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

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