Poor Clock Management By Both The Lions and The Bucs

St. Geezy said
Tampa not taking the timeout at the end really was mind-blowing. It's the PLAYOFFS.

That's the sort of thing that should get a head coach fired. It's like he willfully ended his team's season when he had the opportunity to at least get a couple of shots at the end zone if the FG is missed.

Yep. And the article assumes that the Lions would have attempted a 49 yard FG which if missed would have given the Bucs great field position at their own 39, but they may have punted in that situation and a punt return TD could also have happened. If not, or either way, TB would have had a few chances to make a play to extend their season had they just used their timeout after the 3rd down play when 36 seconds were left on the clock.

BreesHOF2024 said
Bowles obviously just screwed up and didn't pay attention when he got his timeout back. There have been several instances in recent history of playoff games flipping with almost no time left. Chiefs 13 seconds left... Diggs! Sideline! Touchdown! Unbelievable!

Not something that would get him fired but the game ain't over till it's over. "Gentlemen agreements" don't exist when you're facing either elimination or an NFC Championship birth.

SigFreudianSlip said
Punt is blocked, returned for a TD.

Punter mishandles snap, one second left, Tampa throw to the end zone touchdown.

The clip below is from the 2020 Alabama 7A State Championship Game. Thompson High vs. Auburn High. Yeah, it's high school but it just goes to show it's not over until it's over.

Down by 9 points with just 28 seconds left after the Auburn team ran backwards taking as much time off the clock as possible before kneeling down, they were forced to punt. Then the impossible became possible. Thompson High scored 10 points in less than 28 seconds. This clip is worth the watch.