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<\/a><\/p>\nTAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 27: Ted Hurst III #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs for a touchdown in the first half during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Raymond James Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n
In an volcanic awakening, the Buccaneers\u2019 offense erupted with its biggest play of the season. Baker Mayfield dropped back finding Ted Hurst III deep down the middle of the field for a 40-yard catch-and-run score. 10-7, Minnesota.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t until the second quarter and each team booming punts that offense re-emerged. That offense was Baker Mayfield, Bucky Ivring, and Tampa Bay. The Bucs scooted their way back down the field en route to field goal range and a game-tying Chase McLaughin field goal. Three points from the team\u2019s 2026 MVP, 10-10, tie.<\/p>\n
The Vikings\u2019 offense quickly untied Tampa\u2019s tied knot, tossing a deep ball up to Jordan Addison who mercilessly dunked on Jacob Parrish for the highlight and the score. 17-10, Vikes.<\/p>\n
With the half ticking to the two-minute warning, Todd Bowles\u2019 game-managing-ineptitude flashed the viewing audience multiple times. His first decision to send the Buccaneers\u2019 punt team out onto then field with 2:05 on a running clock and over 10 seconds on the play clock took all of the deception out of his decision in the scenario. That simple choice allowed Kevin O\u2019Connell to observe the situation from a clear vantage point, take a timeout before the two minute warning, and would have forced Tampa into punting before the two-minute mark.<\/p>\n
The only reason the team was not forced into that punt is that that decision was elite-ly covered up when the refs re-spotted the ball giving Baker Mayfield a first down on the previous play. It would not take long for Bowles to reignite his haters as the team would then regain the same 26 seconds they had when the previous play ended. Given new life, the team\u2019s offense just watched the same time tick off the clock for a second time. Even though now they had secured a first down\u2014 Rather than calling a play and restarting their drive the Bucs\u2019 offense sat in the huddle and the same 26 seconds ran off the clock again. Just two minutes later, Bowles was at it again. In an unstoppable sequence of playing not to lose rather than choosing to play for the win, Bowles opted to punt with six seconds left in the half instead of attempting a Hail Mary. Post that punt, the Buccaneers sulked into their locker room at the half down 17-10, towels on heads, in a game they could easily be losing 24-3 but also astoundingly could be winning 20-10\u2014 Buccaneers football in 2026.<\/p>\n
Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers\u2019 offense was back up to take another swing at the start of half two. Bucky Irving would continue to truck forward as the team\u2019s feature chess piece\u2014 runs and catches to secure a first down. It wouldn\u2019t take the Vikings\u2019 defense long to catch on to the Bucky-only offense thwart it and force another punt.<\/p>\n
The Vikings debut drive of the second would also net a punt. Their punt gave fans more Baker Mayfield which meant more missed passes. The Buccaneers gave out two massive contract extensions in the offseason. It would be hard to argue they have anything other then buyer\u2019s remorse regarding one of those contracts, however, the other paid dividends on the next Vikings\u2019 drive. Vita Vea got big expensive hand up in the passing lane of Kyler Murray. That tipped pass would lead to bouncing, bobbling ball that landed in the hands of a diving A\u2019Shawn Robinson.<\/p>\n