Buccaneers' Todd Bowles explains controversial decision against Bills

The play in question came at 7:28 left in the game, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced a 4th & 2 at their own 39-yard line down 37-32. The Buccaneers could have went for it, but instead, they opted to punt, and the Bills — who has scored 37 points to that point — once again marched down the field and scored another touchdown, making the score 44-32 and putting the game out of reach.

The move was controversial, with many fans wondering why the Bucs would give the ball back to Buffalo with how well Buffalo's offense had been doing all game, The Bucs were also having success on the ground, averaging 5.2 yards per carry, so the option to run in an attempt to pick up that first and keep the drive going down five points was there as well.

ESPN Analytics' fourth-down calculator recommended that the Buccaneers go for it, giving them a +2.9% chance to win the football game if they had.

Bowles was asked about that crucial decision on Monday, and he explained that the difference between 4th & 2 and 4th & 1 is what made him go with the decision he did.

“I think it was on the minus-39[-yard line]. From a schematic standpoint, we talked about it – one [yard] or less was positive, two [yards] was more or less figuring to punt. We figured we had enough time to get the ball back. I think [there were] seven-something minutes left. We thought we could get a good punt and hold them down there. Obviously, it didn’t work out, but that was the thought process.”

Bowles trusting his defense makes sense — he is a defensive coach, after all — but it most certainly didn't work out. Josh Allen threw for 317 yards on the day and accounted for all six of Buffalo's touchdowns, three through the air and three on the ground. The Bills would hold on to the ball for over four minutes after that and score the dagger touchdown with 2:42 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Buccaneers and Bowles have been better about fourth-down gambles, particularly after the Bucs hired Zach Beistline to be their Director of Football Research for decisions such as these, but some calls will remain controversial.

Nonetheless, the Bucs are looking to put this loss behind them as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12 on Sunday Night Football.