Many Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans are still furious after their team's 29-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons back on Thursday night, and in truth, they have a right to be.
After being up 28-14 in the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay mentally disintegrated and allowed Kirk Cousins and Co. Back into the game for a stirring win.
But the loss should also sting the locker room.
We know about Todd Bowles's explosive rant post-game, which, for most, was right on the money, and for left tackle Tristan Wirfs, he wants his team to use the loss as motivation to rally and claim the NFC South.
“Yeah, I hope so because it's something like that stings,” Wirfs said. “Losing two at home to two divisional opponents like that, it should sting. I hope it just gives everyone a little motivation. Honestly, you just got to get into the dance. Obviously having a winning division and playing at home is big time."
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The loss to the Falcons handed the Carolina Panthers all the initiative ahead of their game against the New Orleans Saints, and a win for Dave Canales' team would have handed them the ascendancy in the race for the division.
But a 20-17 loss to Kellen Moore's team kept the Buccaneers in the fight, and with two of their final three games against the Panthers, the division will come down to those two games.
First on the road in Carolina, before ending the season at Raymond James Stadium to potentially clinch the division.
So, it is all laid out perfectly for the Buccaneers, who, according to Wirfs, shouldn't be short on motivation in Week 16.
More Buccaneers news:
- Baker Mayfield shoulders blame for Buccaneers' collapse against Falcons
- Bucky Irving's frustrating lack of usage near goal line explained by Bucs reporter
- Todd Bowles points finger after Bucs' loss to Falcons and it wasn't at the coaches
- Buccaneers vs. Falcons final score, results: Kirk Cousins, Falcons storm back from 14-point deficit to shock Buccaneers