Dec. 30, 2025, 3:18 p.m. ET
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to remain in the playoff race following a narrow 20–17 loss to their in-state foe, the Miami Dolphins.
However, as the Bucs turn their attention toward the final week of the 2025 regular season, several issues must be addressed urgently if they hope to give themselves a legitimate shot at winning the NFC South for a fifth consecutive season.
With that in mind, here are three takeaways from the Buccaneers’ final road trip of the year as they prepare for a pivotal Week 18 matchup.
Consistency is Key
It has been a roller coaster over the past several weeks for Tampa Bay, as the team has struggled to maintain consistent play late in games on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
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Quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 33 of 44 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns in the loss, but also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble—a trio of turnovers that stifled multiple scoring opportunities.
Tampa Bay’s offense produced 380 total yards, including a long 91-yard drive that resulted in a late Mike Evans touchdown, but too many stagnant stretches prevented them from putting points on the board consistently.
The defense also allowed too much momentum to swing Miami’s way, and with the game decided by just three points, those lapses loom large.
As Tampa Bay heads into a must-win matchup in Carolina, consistent execution across all four quarters will be critical if the Buccaneers want to keep their division title hopes alive.
Momentum and Urgency
With only one game remaining in the regular season, the margin for error has completely disappeared for the Buccaneers. While the playoff picture still leaves the door open, Tampa Bay can no longer afford to rely on outside help or settle for “almost” performances. Every snap now carries postseason weight.
This loss highlighted how quickly momentum can swing late in the year. After scoring on their first possession, Tampa Bay was held to just 10 points over the next three quarters while Miami responded with 17 unanswered points before late garbage time scoring.
Turnovers and defensive pressure stalled multiple drives—especially in the fourth quarter—and in a one-score game, those mistakes proved costly.
As the Bucs prepare for a decisive Week 18 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, urgency must be evident from the opening kickoff. While that urgency was present early, Tampa Bay must sustain it for a full 60 minutes if they want to extend their season.
Deep Ball Potential
One encouraging takeaway was Tampa Bay’s continued ability to push the ball downfield and generate chunk plays.
Mayfield’s 346 passing yards demonstrated Tampa Bay’s capability through the air, and the team consistently got receivers involved in vertical passing situations—even if they didn’t always result in points.
Playmakers like Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan each surpassed 100 receiving yards (Godwin with 108 and McMillan with a career-high 114), showcasing the Bucs’ ability to stretch defenses and create explosive gains.
While the deep ball did not always translate into sustained scoring drives, those chunk plays remain a positive indicator of offensive potential. If Tampa Bay can pair those explosive plays with cleaner protection and fewer turnovers, the vertical passing game could become a decisive factor in a must-win Week 18 matchup.