Buccaneers’ three biggest concerns for the rest of the season
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have battled through a tough stretch to start the 2025 season, and while there’s still time to turn things around, a few glaring issues stand out.
From injuries to defensive struggles to a sluggish run game, Tampa Bay has plenty to clean up if it hopes to stay in the NFC playoff race.
The good news is that most of these problems are fixable and the Buccaneers are in position to correct this with the rest of their season ahead. Here are 3 of the teams biggest concerns.
Injuries continue to take a toll
Few teams have been hit harder by the injury bug this season than Tampa Bay. Running back Bucky Irving remains sidelined, and the Buccaneers have had to navigate multiple games without their top three receivers. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka have all missed time, while Jalen McMillan has also missed the entire season so far. The offensive line wasn’t spared either, suffering injuries early in the season that disrupted rhythm and protection.
As a result, Baker Mayfield has been working with far less than a full-strength offense, often relying on younger players like rookie wideout Tez Johnson and backups to move the ball. That lack of chemistry has made it difficult, especially against tougher defenses. The hope is that the upcoming bye week will give the Buccaneers a chance to heal up and get closer to full strength before the playoff push begins.
Linebacker corps struggling in coverage
The Buccaneers’ defense has been uncharacteristically leaky in coverage this year, ranking 21st in the league in passing yards allowed per game. A big part of that has come from opposing running backs feasting in the passing game. Tampa Bay has surrendered a league-high 441 receiving yards to running backs through seven weeks. This number highlights a major weakness.
Linebacker SirVocea Dennis has taken on much of the coverage responsibility, but the second-year defender has had trouble taking the right angles and finishing tackles in open space. Those mistakes have led to several big gains after the catch and have kept drives alive for opposing offenses. Until the Buccaneers shore up their coverage discipline and tackling technique, this defense will continue to give up easy yardage in the short passing game.
Run game regression
After finishing fifth in the league in rushing yards per game last season, the Buccaneers now rank just 23rd with 99.6 per contest. Some of that decline can be pinned on Irving’s injury, but the lack of consistency up front and a pass-heavy approach have also played a role. Without a reliable ground game, defenses have been able to key in on Mayfield, making life tougher for Tampa Bay’s passing attack.
Rachaad White and Sean Tucker will be asked to carry the load in Irving’s absence, but both will need help from the offensive line to get things rolling. If the Buccaneers can rediscover balance and keep defenses honest, it could go a long way in stabilizing their offense for the rest of the season.
Packers Get Bad News on Star Rookie Before ‘SNF’ vs. Steelers
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Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
The Green Bay Packers could be without their top rookie due to an injury when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for Sunday Night Football in Week 8.
After Friday’s practice, the Packers added first-round rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden to their injury report with a hip injury and designated him as questionable to play against the Steelers on Sunday after he started the week as a full participant.
The Packers could still clear Golden to play against the Steelers, but his injury popping up in the middle of the week — and threatening his availability — is mildly concerning. Even if the team believes it is not a long-term issue, it could impact how much they are willing to play Golden on Sunday if they are worried about making the problem worse.
Golden has the third-most receptions (18), receiving yards (249) and targets (23) for the Packers through the first seven weeks of the season, but they also have a plethora of quality pass-catchers dotting their roster who could pick up the slack if Golden sits out.
The Packers (4-1-1) will kick off against the Steelers (4-2) at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Matthew Golden Had Started to Break Out for Packers
Golden’s injury comes at an unfortunate time for the rookie, even if he plays Sunday.
Golden has gradually become a more vital part of the Packers’ passing offense over the past month. After seeing just four targets combined in his first two NFL games, he has received at least four targets in each of his last four games, catching 16 passes for 233 yards and emerging as one of starting quarterback Jordan Love’s new favorites.
Golden has also yet to drop a single pass six games into his NFL career, underscoring another reason (reliable hands) why the Packers selected him with the No. 23 pick.
Fortunately, there is still hope that Golden’s hip injury is minor. The Packers have not yet commented on the nature or extent of it, as head coach Matt LaFleur spoke to the media before the team added Golden to the injury report following Friday’s practice.
If the Packers rule out Golden in Sunday’s pregame, though, it will spark more concern for his status moving into Week 9 — and the second half of the 2025 regular season.
Christian Watson Activated PUP List for Week 8 Game
The Packers would take a hit if they did not have Golden available against the Steelers in Sunday night’s prime-time matchup, but they will have back Christian Watson.
In a series of Saturday roster moves, the Packers activated wide receiver Christian Watson from the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, clearing the way for him to return to the field for the first time since he tore his ACL early last January.
The Packers could potentially hold Watson to a pitch count in his first game back, but his availability should help alleviate concerns with Golden’s injury status. He can either split the reps with Golden in the “Z” receiver role if both play against the Steelers, or he can pick up the slack and take over for Golden entirely if the latter is ruled out.
