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NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers

5 Takeaways From Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 12 Loss

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5 Takeaways from Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Week 12 Loss

Bears vs. Buccaners
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

In a game that saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears completely flip scripts at halftime, the Bears ultimately made less mistakes than the Bucs and that's what separated these two teams that both seemed like were trying to lose. If the Bucs' had won, they would only be one game out of first place in the NFC South despite a 3-8 record. Instead, they remain in the hunt for the first overall pick at 2-9. Here are 5 takeaways from the game.

5. Doug Martin Still the No. 1 RB

Bears vs. Buccaners
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

5. Doug Martin Still the No. 1 RB

Bears vs. Buccaners
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Despite missing several weeks due to injury and much speculation that the coaching staff favored rookie RB Charles Sims, Doug Martin saw plenty of playing time. He will still have to fight for his spot during the season's final weeks, but he isn't exiled to the bench like some thought.

4. Mike Evans Keeps Scoring TDs

Bears vs. Buccaners
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

4. Mike Evans Keeps Scoring TDs

Bears vs. Buccaners
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

He didn't have a huge impact on the game besides his TD, but that may be more Josh McCown's fault than his own. Evans caught another TD for the fourth straight game. That puts him at seven for the season, tying him with Carolina Panthers wideout Kelvin Benjamin for most among rookies in 2014 .

3. Jay Cutler Tried To Help Bucs As Much As Possible

Bears vs. Buccaners
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jay Cutler Tried To Help Bucs As Much As Possible

Bears vs. Buccaners
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

In the first half it seemed like maybe Jay Cutler thought Lovie Smith was still his head coach. He was taking sacks and lost a fumble at midfield. He was giving the Bucs plenty of chances to extend their lead, but they could only manage 10 points in the first half, despite Cutler's awful play.

2. Josh McCown Cost the Bucs 14 Points In 3rd Quarter

Bears vs. Buccaners
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

2. Josh McCown Cost the Bucs 14 Points In 3rd Quarter

Bears vs. Buccaners
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

After an early TD to Mike Evans, it looked like McCown would have another good day. However, he couldn't keep it going in the first half and practically handed the Bears two TDs with a ridiculous fumble and horrible INT, both setting the Bears up inside the red zone.

1. Lovie Smith Cost the Bucs the Game Late

Bears vs. Buccaners
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

1. Lovie Smith Cost the Bucs the Game Late

Bears vs. Buccaners
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Smith played his own part in the Bucs' loss. There was no need for the Bucs' offense to get the fourth-and-1 play off before the two-minute warning since they were already at the Chicago 37 and still had two timeouts. After McCown clearly didn't convert, Smith challenged the spot, costing the Bucs their second timeout, which could have given them 40 more seconds to work with when they got one last chance with the ball.

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