Buccaneers’ Five False Starts and Postgame Frustration Raise Questions After Bears Loss
Five Penalties in Chicago
The Buccaneers were called for five false starts in their 27-24 loss to the Bears on Sunday night. The defeat dropped Tampa Bay to 3-6. Mayfield said he did not know why the team had so many false starts. He said opposing players were shouting out the cadence on the final one, which he believed was called against Wirfs.
Cadence Calls Are Difficult
NFL rules call for a 15-yard penalty when a team simulates an opponent’s snap count or snap. Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith noted that officials may have difficulty identifying players shouting a cadence during a game.
That challenge can be greater when the visiting team has the ball, Smith wrote. Mayfield said it is difficult for officials to make the call when they are not close to the line of scrimmage.
Goedeke Criticizes Simmons
Mayfield was not the only Buccaneer to voice frustration after the loss. Goedeke accused Simmons of holding him and said Simmons had come at his head.
Key points
- Tampa Bay lost 27-24 in Chicago and fell to 3-6.
- The Buccaneers were penalized for five false starts.
- Mayfield questioned a cadence-related call involving Tristan Wirfs.
- Goedeke said complaints about Simmons’ alleged conduct did not lead to action.