Week 7 turned into a nightmare for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on multiple fronts. The team not only fell short against the Detroit Lions but also lost star receiver Mike Evans, who reportedly fractured his clavicle and will miss the remainder of the season. The injury ends Evans’ historic streak of consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns, setting a discouraging tone that Tampa Bay never managed to overcome.
The most controversial moment came late in the game as the Buccaneers attempted a comeback. Tight end Cade Otton appeared to stretch past the marker for a crucial fourth-down conversion. Officials initially ruled the play a first down, but the Lions challenged whether Otton had control of the ball as he hit the ground. While replay confirmed the catch, referees surprisingly overturned the first-down ruling — a decision that hadn’t been formally challenged.
Head coach Todd Bowles erupted on the sideline, arguing that officials had no authority to alter an unchallenged call, particularly one that ended a possession. Though Detroit didn’t immediately capitalize on the turnover, the Bucs lost valuable momentum and time, killing any chance of a scoring drive.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield shared his frustration afterward, criticizing what he felt was inconsistent officiating throughout the night.
“There was a clear defensive holding on third down that wasn’t called, and I’m still pretty baffled by that double review,” Mayfield told reporters. “A lot of stuff out there was questionable.”
Mayfield also commented on a tense exchange with referee John Hussey, which was caught by ESPN’s cameras and replayed multiple times during the broadcast.
“Emotions were running high,” he admitted. “It might’ve come out toward John Hussey in that moment, but I pour everything into this game. When I feel something isn’t right, I’m going to speak up.”
Bowles, while more restrained, didn’t completely avoid the topic, describing the decision as “interesting” but refusing to blame it for the loss.
Despite some questionable officiating, Tampa Bay’s struggles ran deeper. The Buccaneers entered the game holding the NFC’s top seed but exited having fallen to fourth place. Offensive miscues, lack of rhythm, and overall inefficiency defined the night as much as any referee decision.
Still, there’s time for the Bucs to regroup. With more than half the season left, this humbling performance in Detroit might be the spark that forces a turnaround.
