The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were so close to a comeback victory over the Rams, they could taste it. Unfortunately, the fleeting moments of the game saw their chances slip away after Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp connected for a huge 44-yard completion, which set up the game-winning field goal from Matt Gay. After the game, Bucs’ defensive leader Lavonte David revealed there was a key miscommunication that enabled Kupp to get wide open on the crucial play, per Ari Meirov.

David revealed that there was some miscommunication in Tampa’s defense on the big gain by Kupp. The Rams’ wideout hauled in a 44-yard reception from Stafford with just seconds left on the clock, and it was clear that at least one Buccaneers defender was vastly out of position on the play. Fans were left wondering who was meant to be covering Kupp and how the star wide receiver managed to be left nearly unguarded on such a crucial play. David admitted that there was a major mishap in communication among Buccaneers’ defenders, and as we all saw on the field, it was a costly mistake.

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That wasn’t the only play the Bucs failed to account for Kupp on however, and even when they did put bodies against the Rams’ star, he still made big plays. Kupp ended the game with nine receptions, 184 yards, and one touchdown. The 44-yard completion wasn’t even his longest grab of the night, having hauled in a 70-yard touchdown reception in the first half.

We can only imagine that the Buccaneers’ defense is going to have that play miscue in the back of their minds for a long time to come, and David didn’t shy away from admitting that a costly mistake was made.