The Tampa Bay Buccaneers failed their measuring-stick game against the New England Patriots, losing 28-23, a game in which quarterback Baker Mayfield said the team lacked "killer instinct."
Now at 6-3, the season is still very much alive, but the Buccaneers have been plagued by some inconsistencies that reared their heads once again on Sunday.
Emeka Egbuka stated post-game that there were too many "my bads" on offense, and then Mayfield's comments on the team lacking the killer instinct needed to go toe-to-toe with the top teams.
But does head coach Todd Bowles agree with his quarterback?
“We encourage our players to have accountability,” Bowles said. “I don't think we had any killer instinct yesterday. We played like we had a bye week from an energy standpoint. We have it when we get rolling. It's good for him to speak up, he's one of our captains as well as Vita [Vea], [Antoine] Winfield, Mike [Evans], and all those guys.
"So, guys, they listen when they speak, and accountability is making sure the guy next to you is doing their job. He's one of the guys that advocates that he's the lead example on offense.”
More: When will Bucky Irving return? Buccaneers coy on RB's injury timeline
When will Bucky Irving return?
Having not been sighted since Week 5, the wait continues for Bucky, and Bowles stated that it is his shoulder, not his ankle, that is halting his comeback efforts.
Bowles didn't say whether or not Irving would practice this week as the Buccaneers gear up for the Buffalo Bills on the road, so it feels like Mayfield and offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard will have to wait at least another week before No. 7 suits up.
With the Buccaneers' injury list not showing signs of serious improvement, it will be a matter of the franchise keeping its head above water until reinforcements arrive.
But Irving, it appears, will be set to stay on the sidelines in Week 11.
More Buccaneers news:
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- Emeka Egbuka's baseball career draws attention thanks to Mariners' old post
- 2026 NFL Draft team needs for the NFC South after the trade deadline