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Bucs CB Zyon McCollum had a nightmarish game against the Rams, and his improvement is crucial for a defensive rebound

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Craig Smith | Last updated Nov 24, 2025 8:36 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were throttled by the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA 34-7 in a game they were never really in after the first quarter.

And part of the ugliness in the first half, where the Bucs were outscored 31-7, came by way of something Bucs fans have become far too used to seeing - chunk plays allowed by the defense. The Rams scored touchdowns on all three of their first offensive drives. On two of them, Davante Adams beat Zyon McCollum one-on-one for a touchdown.

It was a forgettable night for the Bucs' 2022 fifth round draft pick, to put it mildly.

McCollum was the lowest rated Bucs defensive starter on Saturday night against the Rams

McCollum, who earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 46.4 and a coverage mark of 42.4, was beaten more than just in the end zone on two touchdowns to Adams. Per ESPN's Ben Solak, McCollum was targeted 6 times and allowed 6 catches for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half.

Zyon McCollum in coverage tonight:

22 routes
6 targets
6 catches
94 yards
2 touchdowns
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) November 24, 2025

The Rams are elite, and Matthew Stafford is a legitimate short list finalist for the league MVP award this year, but that's just not going to cut it regardless of the situation.

It's not the only recent lapse for McCollum this month. He was dusted by Mack Hollins in Tampa Bay's 26-20 loss to New England two weeks ago on a straight go route for 54 yards. According to PFF, McCollum has allowed 34 catches on 56 targets for 396 yards and 5 touchdowns in 10 games. By comparison, Jamel Dean has allowed 16 catches on 37 targets for 212 yards and no touchdowns in 9 games.

Dean has been played at an elite level in 2025, and he'll likely get rewarded for it in free agency after the season. However, Jason Licht paid McCollum back in September through a three-year extension, and what they've gotten so far doesn't instill much confidence if Dean leaves in free agency after the season.

The Bucs simply have to stop allowing chunk plays as they've allowed in droves over the last few games, and there is plenty of blame to go around for that, including an inconsistent pass rush and linebackers struggling in coverage. But the Bucs need more out of McCollum going forward if they're going to get their defense back on track and finish out 2025 with a fifth straight division title.

This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Nov 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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