Sports
Todd Bowles Reflects on Buccaneers’ Wildcard Loss to Commanders: “We Had Our Chances”
Published
3 weeks agoon
By
FNN SPORTS
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles spoke candidly during the postgame press conference following the team’s narrow 23-20 Wildcard Playoff loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday night. Bowles addressed critical defensive struggles, offensive miscues, and his outlook for the team’s future.
Defensive Struggles and Key Plays
When asked about the defense’s inability to stop Washington on critical downs, Bowles acknowledged the challenge. “Defensively, that’s where it was. He [Jayden Daniels] was making some plays with his feet. We were in position, but he out-athleted us,” Bowles said. The Buccaneers allowed a concerning 55% third-down conversion rate.
Bowles also touched on the struggles with in-routes and breakdowns in coverage. “Some of them were scrambles, and we lost our guys. On the last one, we had bad positioning from the start.”
A costly fumble near their own goal line further shifted momentum in Washington’s favor. “We were supposed to run a jet sweep, but something got discombobulated. We can’t give up field position like that,” Bowles lamented.
Offensive Woes and Penalties
Offensively, penalties and turnovers stifled the Buccaneers’ rhythm. “We were shooting ourselves in the foot on first down with a lot of penalties in the first half,” Bowles explained. Despite the struggles, wide receiver Mike Evans continued to shine, even in a tough matchup against Marshon Lattimore. “Mike’s effort and what he continues to do for us is amazing,” Bowles praised.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield’s late-game turnover was another critical moment. Bowles expressed unwavering support for his quarterback, saying, “He’s your bell cow. We wouldn’t even be here without Baker.”
Rookie Spotlight: Jayden Daniels
Washington’s rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels proved to be a thorn in Tampa Bay’s side. Bowles was not surprised by his poised performance. “He has no conscience. He’s a heck of a player and lives in the moment. He lived in it every game this year,” Bowles noted.
What’s Next for the Buccaneers?
Despite the loss, Bowles remains optimistic about the team’s future. “We have a great core group going forward. Just got to keep people healthy, add to it, and clean up some spots,” he said. He emphasized the need to improve situational football and create more turnovers, areas where the team struggled this season.
As the Buccaneers head into the offseason, the focus will be on getting key players like Antoine Winfield Jr. back to full strength and reinforcing both the offensive and defensive units. “We’ve got to eat it, take it on the chin, and we’ve got to get better in the future,” Bowles concluded.
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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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Sports
Super Bowl Opening Night Kicks Off in New Orleans as Chiefs & Eagles Gear Up for the Big Game
Published
3 days agoon
February 3, 2025By
Willie David
NEW ORLEANS, La. (FNN SPORTS) – Super Bowl week officially kicked off Monday night as the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles took center stage at Super Bowl Opening Night in New Orleans. Florida National News sports team was on-site at the Superdome, capturing all the excitement and exclusive player insights.
A standout moment from the night featured Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez, who had Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes sign a pillow with Mahomes’ own face on it, adding a fun twist to the media frenzy.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts answers media questions during Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. (Photo: Florida National News / J. Willie David III)
FloridaNationalNews.com conducted interviews with players and coaches from both teams, with quarterbacks sharing their thoughts on the highly anticipated Super Bowl 59 matchup.
With Opening Night wrapped up, teams have returned to their bases to continue preparation. The next major media event arrives Thursday with the Super Bowl pregame and halftime show press conference. Fans can expect appearances from headliner Kendrick Lamar, along with Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty, Lauren Daigle, and Ledisi, as they gear up for an electrifying halftime performance.
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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Sports
A Lim Kim Wins 2025 LPGA Season Opener Over Nelly Korda; Joe Pavelski Takes Celebrity Title
Published
4 days agoon
February 2, 2025By
Willie David
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions brought together 32 of the LPGA’s top players and a star-studded lineup of celebrities at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. The event featured two prize purses: a $2 million purse for LPGA professionals and a $500,000 purse for celebrities.
A Lim Kim Claims Victory with Dominant Performance
A Lim Kim, the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open champion, secured a two-stroke victory over World No. 1 Nelly Korda, earning her second career LPGA title and taking home a $300,000 winner’s prize.
- Kim shot a final-round 67 (-5), sinking a nearly 20-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to seal the win.
- She led the field in birdies (24) and was the only player to shoot all four rounds in the 60s (65-69-67-67).
- Kim also excelled in par-5 scoring, a key factor in both this victory and her 2024 LOTTE Championship win.
- Her 72-hole score of 268 tied her career-low, matching her performance at the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open.
- This marks Kim’s second wire-to-wire win, making her the first player since Hyo Joo Kim (2023) to win wire-to-wire without ties.
- She also secured victory in her first tournament with new caddie Bruce Lowe.
Nelly Korda Finishes Runner-Up
World No. 1 Nelly Korda mounted a strong challenge with a final-round 65 (-7), but ultimately fell two strokes short.
- Korda recorded nine birdies and two bogeys on Sunday.
- She tied Kim for most birdies in the tournament (24).
- With this result, she notched her best career finish at the HGVTOC and fifth top-4 finish at the event.
Other Notable Finishes
- Linn Grant (-3, 69) finished in solo third, her best LPGA finish since the 2024 Dana Open.
- Minjee Lee shot a career-low 10-under 62 on Sunday, moving from T12 to T4.
- Defending champion Lydia Ko (-13) finished solo sixth after recovering from three early bogeys.
Joe Pavelski Wins Celebrity Division
Recently retired NHL All-Star and Olympian Joe Pavelski made a statement in his HGVTOC debut, winning the celebrity division with 145 points under the Modified Stableford format.
- Pavelski edged out 2024 champion Jeff McNeil by five points to claim the $100,000 first-place prize.
- Asterisk Talley, 15, won the amateur field with 149 points, playing from the same tees as LPGA professionals.
Looking Ahead
With a commanding wire-to-wire performance, A Lim Kim has established herself as a force to watch in 2024. Nelly Korda, Linn Grant, and Minjee Lee will look to build on their performances as the LPGA season continues.
J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Sports
Osceola Magic Extend Winning Streak to Four with 113-104 Victory Over Delaware Blue Coats
Published
4 days agoon
February 2, 2025By
FNN SPORTS
WILMINGTON, Del. (FNN SPORTS) – The Osceola Magic (7-6) powered past the Delaware Blue Coats (6-10) with a 113-104 victory on Sunday afternoon, extending their winning streak to four games. A dominant Colin Castleton led the charge with 22 points and 13 rebounds, delivering an ultra-efficient performance by shooting 10-of-12 from the field.
Magic’s Defense Stifles Delaware’s Offense
Despite Jeff Dowtin Jr. leading the Blue Coats in scoring with 21 points, the Magic’s relentless defense held him to an inefficient 7-of-24 shooting from the field. Jarron Cumberland added 19 points for Delaware, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Osceola’s second-half surge.
Balanced Scoring Fuels Magic’s Win
Alongside Castleton’s stellar performance, Mac McClung stepped up in the starting lineup, contributing 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-6 from three-point range.
The Magic’s bench played a pivotal role in the victory, with Jarrett Culver delivering 17 points on an impressive 70% shooting. The Texas Tech standout also recorded six rebounds and three steals, providing a crucial spark off the bench.
What’s Next for Osceola Magic?
The Magic will face the Blue Coats again on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Chase Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Osceola will then return to Kissimmee on Sunday, Feb. 9, for a home game against the Grand Rapids Gold at 3 p.m. ET, airing on FanDuel Sports Network Florida and NBA TV.
Black History Month Celebration
The Magic will host a special Black History Month Celebration, presented by Publix, on Monday, Feb. 10, against the Grand Rapids Gold. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with the game airing on FanDuel Sports Network Sun and NBAGLeague.com. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a replica Black History Month Magic jersey.
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