The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently striving for a playoff spot as the NFL season approaches its conclusion. While they do not have complete control over their fate—relying on losses from teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders—the Buccaneers must secure victories against the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints. A critical area for improvement highlighted by ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz is their performance against man coverage defenses, particularly following Chris Godwin's injury in Week 7.

Schatz's analysis reveals that quarterback Baker Mayfield has struggled significantly against man coverage, ranking poorly in DVOA since the injury. While Mike Evans has excelled in this area, the other receivers, including Sterling Shepard and Jalen McMillan, have not performed well, with negative DVOA ratings. This weakness will be tested against their upcoming opponents, as both the Saints and Panthers employ man coverage strategies effectively, which could further expose the Buccaneers' vulnerabilities.

The situation is exacerbated by Shepard's absence in the upcoming game against the Panthers, forcing Ryan Miller into the lineup and reducing the team's receiving depth. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen acknowledges the need for improvement among the receiving corps, emphasizing that players like Miller, Rakim Jarrett, and Trey Palmer must step up to support Evans. Coen points out that while there have been positive developments, missed opportunities last week highlight the need for better execution moving forward.

As the Buccaneers prepare for their crucial matchup against the Panthers at 1 p.m. on Sunday, the focus will be on enhancing their offensive capabilities to ensure a successful playoff push.