With the Atlanta Falcons losing, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a chance to pull closer to assuring themselves of a wild-card playoff berth. But before a packed house at Raymond James Stadium Sunday, the Bucs let another close game slip away, losing to the underdog 3-9 Philadelphia Eagles 23-21.

Thrown under the bus for this loss is the Buccaneer defense, who couldn’t keep the Eagles out of the end zone after the Bucs were up 21-10. Rookie running back, Doug Martin, turned in a great performance, with 28 carries for 128 yards and a score. Wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams also turned in great performances. Quarterback Josh Freeman finished the evening 14-of-34 for 189 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Freeman may have gotten off to a slow start Sunday, but it was the defense that let the team down.

The Buccaneer secondary was supposed to be much improved with the additions of draft pick Mark Barron, and the acquisition of Eric Wright. However, it has now been revealed as an Achilles heel for the defense. The Bucs can redeem themselves in their final three games, a visit to New Orleans to face the Saints; a home game against the much improved St. Louis Rams, and their season finale on the road to play the Atlanta Falcons.