Killebrew Steadies Buccaneers Through Turnaround
Veteran special teams player Miles Killebrew credits calm leadership as Tampa Bay climbs back from a 0-4 start.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who started the season 0-4, have turned things around with a 24-16 win at Dallas on October 8 and a 16-0 shutout of Atlanta last week. Special teams veteran Miles Killebrew, in his first season with the team, described a steady leadership atmosphere during the stretch.
Why it matters
The Buccaneers' rebound is a notable turnaround for a team that began the season winless in four games. Killebrew's account points to players maintaining routines and leadership through a rough start.
Bucky Irving ran for 170 yards and Kenny Gainwell totaled 140 receiving and rushing yards against Atlanta, while Baker Mayfield was 0 for 3 passing in the shutout. The 324 team rushing yards set a franchise record, though the sample is limited to a single game.
The players
Miles Killebrew
Killebrew is a veteran special teams player who spent five seasons with the Detroit Lions and five with the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Buccaneers this year.
The details
After the 0-4 start, the Buccaneers beat Dallas 24-16 on October 8, then rolled past Carolina 43-13 before shutting out Atlanta 16-0 last week. Killebrew said the team's routines and leadership held steady through the losses.
Timeline
October 8: Buccaneers beat Dallas 24-16 to start the turnaround.
Last week: Buccaneers beat Atlanta 16-0 with a franchise-record 324 rushing yards.
Season Trajectory
Starting 0-4 and reaching 3-5 leaves Tampa Bay in the middle of the wild-card race, a position many NFL teams have climbed out of after slow openings. The Buccaneers' next several games will determine whether this stretch is a true rebound or a short run of wins.
The Buccaneers' 3-5 record keeps them within reach of the playoff picture for fantasy managers and local fans tracking the team. Bucky Irving's 170-yard game makes him a runner to watch in upcoming lineups.
The takeaway
Turnarounds from slow starts depend on consistent routines and steady leadership, which Killebrew identified as the core of Tampa Bay's recent wins. Readers following the team can track whether those habits hold through the next stretch of games.
Further reading
Explore more Tampa football coverage for the latest on the Buccaneers' season.
