Buccaneers snap losing streak with gritty win over the Cardinals

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally flipped the script and got back in the win column, grinding out a hard-fought victory that felt more like survival than celebration. Head coach Todd Bowles called it exactly what it was, a gutsy win in a league where nothing comes easy.

Bowles said both sides of the ball had chances to close things out earlier, but missed tackles and stalled offensive drives kept the door open late. Still, when it mattered most, the defense delivered a game-ending fourth-down stop that Bowles credited to preparation, recognition, and jumping the route at the right time.

Offensively, the return of key playmakers stood out. Bowles said Chris Godwin is starting to look like the old Chris again, and that Bucky Irving added an element the offense has been missing. Godwin’s impact went beyond catches, with Bowles praising his intelligence, his blocking, and his ability to work with Baker Mayfield when the pocket breaks down instinctively.

The moment everyone will remember is the big man touchdown to Tristan Wirfs. Bowles joked that if an inevitable tight end had not already caught one, he might have dialed it up again.

Special teams played a quiet but massive role. Bowles praised the coverage units and the steady leg of Chase McLaughlin, who continues to deliver from long range with ice in his veins.

For Mayfield, this week was about pain tolerance and preparation. He credited the training staff and his recovery routine for getting him ready and said the shoulder felt good coming out of the game. He also pointed to the pass protection as one of the sharpest parts of the game. Mayfield said Irving’s explosiveness changes the offense even when he does not touch the ball and called Godwin the ultimate professional who is always in the right spot, always doing the right thing.

Most importantly, Mayfield made it clear that the urgency has not changed. The losing streak is over, but the mindset stays the same. This team is in playoff mode now. Key division games are on the horizon, and now is not the time for easing up.

This win was not about style points. It was more about stopping the bleeding, regaining confidence, and proving this group can still finish games. The Buccaneers did precisely that and moved past this trap game with a win.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs snap losing streak with gritty win over the Cardinals