TAMPA, Fla. — It was a bittersweet feeling for Buccaneers players and fans out at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Tampa Bay suffered its second defeat of the season, losing 20-6 to Detroit.
There were still a couple of things for people to smile about, however. Even with the loss, the Bucs are still on top of the NFC South division with a 3-2 record. Plus, Sunday's game served as a way to celebrate the team's Creamsicle history.
It was the first time in over a decade the Bucs wore their throwback orange uniforms, and although they looked flashy, it was not enough to distract Jared Goff and the Lions from winning.
But even before the game began, some Bucs fans may have predicted their team would lose — not by being outplayed, but simply because Baker Mayfield and company were going to be wearing the Creamsicle uniforms.
Tampa Bay wore its pastel orange throwback jerseys once a year from 2009-12 before the NFL installed its one-helmet policy, which prevented teams from using alternate color helmets on special occasions.
In four games wearing the Creamsicle jerseys, the Bucs had a 1-3 record. The lone win came in 2009 against the Green Bay Packers, 38-28. The rest of the games after that, however, were not pleasant.
The three defeats were against Tampa Bay's divisional opponents:
- 28-24 loss against Atlanta in 2010
- 38-19 loss against Carolina in 2011
- 35-28 loss against New Orleans in 2012
Sunday's loss was the first time the Bucs did not put up double-digit points while wearing the throwback uniforms, and the record is now at 1-4.
Yes, Detroit is playing good football and is now looking like one of the best teams in the league. But based on the Bucs' history playing in Creamsicle uniforms, that wasn't the only factor at play.
Carolina had a losing 6-10 record in 2011 and New Orleans only won seven games in 2012. Both of those teams weren't good in their respective years, but Tampa Bay managed to lose to both of them.
Stands at Raymond James Stadium for each throwback game were filled, so lack of energy in the arena isn't an excuse, either.
And if we take a look further back in history, the Bucs had the worst winning percentage of any franchise in U.S. major sports while wearing the Creamsicle uniforms from 1976 to 1996.
So this begs the question – are the Bucs somehow cursed when they wear their throwback uniforms?
Tampa Bay won against Green Bay but then lost four games after that. So that win didn't really break any curse. Or maybe teams just caught the Bucs on a bad day?
Either way, history does not favor the Bucs in playing good football in Creamsicle colors.
The team has not yet announced if it plans to wear its throwback jerseys again in the upcoming seasons. One thing is for sure, win or lose, fans will be excited to be dressed in orange and cheer for the Bucs on any given game.
Tampa Bay's next game this season is scheduled at 1 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium against Atlanta. For ticket information, click here.