Bucs’ defense collapses in Redskins record-setting 31-30 comeback The Tampa Tribune, published 26 October 2015 The question asked most often of the Buccaneers this past week — and it was asked even by some of their own players and coaches — was were they really as good defensively as their No. 5 overall ranking suggested. The Bucs gave everyone their answer on Sunday during a sun-splashed afternoon at FedEx Field. And as their devastating 31-30 come-from-ahead loss to the Redskins proved beyond any doubt, it is an emphatic no. Not even close. After all, top-shelf defenses don’t let a 479-yard effort by their offense go to waste, and they certainly don’t let a 24-point lead evaporate. But that’s what the Bucs defense did in creating yet another indelible mark on what is now a 2-4 record. “All loses really hurt, but you have some that really leave a deep scar and this was definitely one of those,’’ Bucs coach Lovie Smith said. “This one hurts about as much any I can think of. But, it’s supposed to hurt when you finish the way we did.’’ Hoping to protect a six-point lead with 2:24 to play, Tampa Bay allowed Washington to drive 80 yards in 11 plays. Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a 6-yard touchdown to tight end Jordan Reed with 24 seconds left, and the extra point by Dustin Hopkins capped the biggest comeback win in Redskins franchise history. But it was the way the Bucs started that made the finish so painful. With their running game humming yet again (30 carries, 190 yards) and quarterback Jameis Winton pitching at near-perfect levels (21-for-29, 297 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions), the Bucs dominated the first half. They took a 10-0 lead in the first 10 minutes, and after a 43-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Howard Jones took a seemingly commanding 24-0 lead with just more than eight minutes left in the first half. They peaked there, though, particularly on defense. Their inability to harass Cousins, adequately cover receivers or avoid drive-extending penalties, including four for roughing the passer or unnecessary roughness, slowly did them in. “I don’t want to say we got complacent,’’ linebacker Lavonte David said. “They just found a rhythm offensively and were able to execute and make plays and capitalize on the mistakes we made, especially all those penalties. It was probably one of the worst losses ever.’’ It some ways, it was. Tampa Bay’s 479 yards on offense were the fifth-most in team history and most ever in a loss under Smith’s two-season reign. As for the 24-point lead, it matched the second-largest lead blown by the Bucs, who blew the same edge in a 31-27 loss to the Rams on Dec. 6. 1992. The largest blown lead in team history was 25 points in a 31-28 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Nov. 8, 1987 at old Busch Stadium. But that’s no consolation to anyone on this this Bucs team. This was the third time in as many games and fourth this season the Bucs, who were only ranked fifth because they had allowed 322.8 yards per game, surrendered more than 30 points. #“It’s one of those things that makes you wonder, ‘What’s the problem?’” defensive tackle Clinton McDonald said. “We had a great opportunity today, and we failed to take advantage of it.’’ Most troubling is the fact the Bucs spent the better part of the past two weeks working to correct many of the very mistakes that cost them their lead and eventually the game. After Jacksonville scored 31 points in a Tampa Bay win before the bye week, the Bucs re-evaluated the play of their secondary and made a couple of personnel changes back there. Included in that mix was the benching of veteran starting cornerback Tim Jennings, who was a healthy scratch on Sunday. Clearly, though, the problems in the secondary run far deeper. Even with cornerback Johnthan Banks back in the starting lineup, Cousins had the time and the space necessary to carve up the Bucs in completing 33 of 40 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns. “To me, this game came down to us not contesting the ball when the ball’s in the air,’’ said cornerback Alterraun Verner, who played his second straight game at nickel corne. “We’re not coming down with the ball and the other team is. Either we’re not in position to make a play or we’re not making the play. That’s become the trend. We have to get our hands on the ball.’’ They have to get their hands on the quarterback, too — and legally. Though the Bucs hit Cousins seven times, they sacked him only once as Cousins used short drops and quick throws to offset the pass rush. Tampa Bay also was called for two roughing the passer penalities. “I was moving around a lot, trying to find the one-on-one,’’ defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said. “They just kept switching protections on me. I was trying to find ways to free myself up, but collectively we just weren’t good enough.’’ Neither were the safeties. Chris Conte, who got his hands on a late pass into the end zone, but couldn’t come up with the interception. And Bradley McDougald allowed tight end Reed to beat him with a quick slant inside for the winning touchdown pass. “When you get down close to the goal line, you make them throw a fade,” Smith said. “You don’t let them complete the easiest throw. We didn’t get that done today. And that’s normally what it comes down to, how you play at the end. And we had our opportunities. We just weren’t able to close the door.’’