Most disappointing players in week 18

The Bucs managed to score 17 points in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Falcons, but saw the game turn upside down in the second half as the backups came in. Tampa Bay eventually lost 30-17, finishing the regular season with an 8-9 record. Here are the most disappointing players from the Bucs’ Week 18 game against the Falcons.

Bucs conducts defense

The Falcons were successful in setting up their run game. led by rookie Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson. On the second drive, they were able to rattle off five 48-yard runs, including back-to-back explosive runs of 17 and 16 yards. The rushing offense allowed the Falcons to get deep into Bucs territory for an eventual touchdown on rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder’s first career passing touchdown.

Falling Falcons were able to take advantage of large gaps their offensive line could create against the Bucs defensive line at a cost of 35 carries for 174 yards and an average of 5.0 yards per carrier.

Chris Godwin

Despite acting as the engine that drove the Bucs offense early in the game, Godwin had a fumble on the third drive of the game the Falcons recovered in Tampa Bay territory. Godwin finished the game with six catches on seven targets for 55 yards, falling three catches short of setting a franchise record. However, the fumble was his second in the past two weeks.

Luke Goodke

Goedeke was awarded a critical penalty on the fourth drive of the game for the Bucs. Trailing 10-7 at the Falcons 14 yard line, head coach Todd Bowles decided to let the offense try to put down the first. Running back Gio Bernard was able to cut the field on a right toss and easily get the yard to win, but Goedeke was called for a holding penalty that nullified the game and supported the Bucs to 4th and 11. They would opt for a field goal at the time to tie the game rather than the option of going for a touchdown had Goedeke not committed the penalty.

Bucs backup defense

The Bucs’ backups were almost all in in the second half due to injuries or injury prevention. The results were not pretty. The Falcons scored 20 points in the second half, as the pass rush struggled to pressure Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder and the secondary allowed rookie wide receiver Drake London and company to fire them. Knight’s final line in the game was 19-of-30 for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Those two touchdowns were his first two of his career, despite this being his fourth game. London had six catches on eight targets for 120 yards.