Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Watch: Buccaneers' woes continue with atrocious punt vs. Saints

By Colby Colwell | Last updated Jan 5, 2025 3:57 PM ET

Coming into their Week 18 meeting with the New Orleans Saints, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers simply needed a win to clinch the NFC South.

That proved to be more difficult than it initially seemed for Tampa Bay.

Down 19-13 with 4:31 remaining in the third quarter, Buccaneers punter Jack Browning had trouble with the snap and punted the ball 14 yards off the side of his foot.

A 14-yard Bucs punt gives the Saints positive field position.

: #NOvsTB on FOX
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— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025

Browning is actually the third punter for the Buccaneers this season. Jake Camarda, who started the season as the team's punter, was released after Tampa Bay's first game against the Saints. Trenton Gill was replaced after a poor outing against the Carolina Panthers.

Fortunately for Tampa Bay, New Orleans went three-and-out and gave the ball right back.

The abysmal punt continued a sloppy performance for the Buccaneers with the NFC South on the line. As of the 10:37 mark in the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay had nine penalties for 70 yards.

Prior to Sunday, Tampa Bay was fourth in the NFL with 29.7 PPG, per StatMuse. Despite that kind of production on offense, the Buccaneers have to clean up their miscues from Sunday if they are going to have any shot should they make the playoffs.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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