One last try! Probably that’s what was in Todd Bowles’s mind on Monday’s game when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers struggled to level the score against the Baltimore Ravens. However, during this process, unfortunately, star wide receiver Chris Godwin lay on the ground at Raymond James Stadium with his brutal, season-ending injury. Shortly after this, the cameras cut to coach Bowles, and since then, he has been in the hot water.
Questions are being asked to the Bucs head coach – Was it necessary to risk the players’ health with less than 1 minute left in the game? As many believe, it wasn’t a good decision by Todd Bowles, there is one former NFL coach, who thinks, though it being a risky choice, what the HC did on MNF, was a good decision.
While speaking to Mike Florio in Sunday Night Football on NBC show, ex-Buccaneers coach, Tony Dungy shared an insightful story to defend Todd Bowles and his Chris Godwin’s decision. He revealed that people in Tampa were upset, questioning why Godwin was still on the field. They felt it was a pointless risk. Hence, to support Todd Bowles’ decision, Dungy recalled a similar situation from 21 years ago when he “was coaching in that same stadium, and I was coaching the other team the Indianapolis Colts” against the Buccaneers.
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So, according to Dungy, what happened at that game was, his team was down by 21 points with only four minutes left. Hence, the former coach considered pulling out his starters to avoid injuries. But he turned to his offensive coordinator of that time, Tom Moore. He suggested they give up to focus on the next game. However, Moore advised against it, reminding Dungy that anything could happen. Then what? With Peyton Manning leading the charge, the team scored three touchdowns, forced overtime, and eventually won the game.
Interestingly, as per Dungy, “On that same sideline Monday night, this Todd Bowles and one of his senior assistants is a guy, named Tom Moore. And I’m sure Tom Moore told him, I’ve seen stranger things than this. Let’s keep trying to win the game.” Therefore, that’s the reason why Bowles took that decision in the final few seconds of the matchup. That’s why they say – anything could happen in the NFL. That’s what Mike Florio thinks too, who stated, “….and all it would have taken was one play. They score a touchdown, they get the extra point onside kick, get a field goal and it’s 41-41 and they go to overtime, so it wasn’t over.” But unfortunately, things turned out brutally.
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Did Todd Bowles gamble with Chris Godwin's career for a slim chance at victory?
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Todd Bowles explained why he took Chris Godwin’s decision!
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Chris Godwin’s injury was a punch to the gut for the Buccaneers. Just 59 seconds left on the clock and down by 10. Godwin, one of their biggest stars, goes down with a dislocated ankle. Fans were left wondering – why was he even out there? Hence, in the post-game press conference, coach Todd Bowles defended his decision.
He explained they were still trying to score, still trying to fight, even with the odds stacked against them. With Mike Evans already sidelined, Bowles said, “We didn’t have that many receivers left as it was. So, we play what we got.” According to the coach, Godwin stayed in because, like everyone else, he wanted to keep pushing.
Despite his stance, many also questioned if Bowles should’ve pulled Godwin, considering the situation. However, the 60-year-old stood firm in his answer, saying, “We’ve got our guys. We’re playing everybody we’ve got. It’s unfortunate he got hurt, but he’s a football player and he wants to be in the game, just like Baker [Mayfield] and everybody else wanted to be in the game.”
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The injured athlete had seven catches for 65 yards before dislocating his ankle. Now, the team has to move forward without him, as Bowles said, “We got to step up and move on. But our hearts are heavy.” Meanwhile, the team has promoted P Trenton Gill and WR Ryan Miller to the 53-man roster.
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Did Todd Bowles gamble with Chris Godwin's career for a slim chance at victory?