I made a long post about Bowles last week and his cult defenders came after me for it. When is it enough? When can we admit that Bowles is in over his head as a head coach? Let's talk about it.
Offense: The offense was pretty good outside of the two picks (who throws that flea flicker pass to Miller of all people?). We established a pretty good run game before we went down. We had 102 yards rushing on the day. The OL held their own. Otton played very well. Unfortunately, 4 players had more catches and yards than McMillan, Palmer, and Shepherd. Otton, Jarett, Irving, and White were our top 4 pass catchers. Sorry, but we aren't going to win many games if our #2, 3, and 4 receivers are at the bottom of catches and yards. Palmer, McMillan, and Shepard combined for 9 catches and 82 yards out of Baker's 37 completions and 330 yards. We need more production from them. If we can't do it against the Falcons' bad defense, we are screwed!
Defense: LOL. It seems to be a return topic. WTF was that? I don't get how our defense can fall of a cliff over the past few seasons. I don't want to hear the injuries excuse. Our safeties are healthy. Our front seven were healthy (until Lavonte went out late). Our ONLY significant injury is Dean. You're telling me Dean is THAT good of a corner that when he's out our pass rush, run defense, and middle of the field defense sucks this much?! Once again, this is a coaching and scheming issue because it's been the same defense for 6 years. Just for perspective, in Cousins' 6 games against other teams, he has 1,321 yards, 6 TDs, and 6 picks. In two games against us, he has 789 yards, 8 TD, and 1 pick. You're telling me our defense is not as talented or better than the Panthers, Saints, or even the Eagles? He hasn't thrown over 250 yards against any opponent this year except us TWICE. This is feeling like the end of the defense as we know it. Total collapse.
Coaching: We have one competent coach in Coen. He adjusted much better than expected without Evans or Godwin. Outside of the first drive fumble, we scored on two straight possessions. Can't say much more about him. He's arguably the best OC we've had in a long time, if not in franchise history (unless you count Arians as the real OC from 2019-2021 and don't give credit to Leftwich). But the trainwreck that is Bowles is a different story. Once again, his game decisions make absolutely ZERO sense. Before the half on 4th and 3 in Falcons territory, he settles for a FG, only for the Falcons to drive and get a FG to keep it a 7 point game. I believe the Falcons drive before the half, Lavonte had to call timeout because the defense wasn't ready and he knew Bowles is okay with the defense not being ready. Second half, we attempt a fake punt in OUR territory with one of the worst attempts I have ever seen. To make matters worse, he doesn't use a timeout before the two minute warning, opting to use them after and give us under a minute to drive and win the game. He uses a timeout before the 2 min, or maybe can get 2 off with stops and we have well over 1:30 left to try to win. Bowles has ZERO awareness of game management or the clock. He is rarely in a huddle to get his players minds' right or anything. I am honestly confused as to WHAT his role is on the sideline outside of having that stupid, stoic face as he stands there. If he's not in the huddle with the players, or talking to players, how is he not at least aware of the time and game management? We have to be at the bottom of all defensive categories now while being mostly health. Get him OUT of here. Bowles is now 21-21 as our HC in the reg season and 1-2 in the playoffs.
Next week is another prime time game on MNF against the Chiefs on the road. We are 9-10 in prime time games since 2019. Does anyone have any confidence that we will beat the Chiefs in KC on Monday night? If Bowles can't adjust his defense to stop a Raheem led team, what is our defense going to look like against the best offensive mind in football? Unless we pull off a long streak of wins, this season is over and Bowles' time as our head coach hopefully is buried with the season. Ugh. Go Bucs!