Ira’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Chiefs
November 20th, 2016
BY IRA KAUFMAN
For the second consecutive week, the Bucs hurled a complete-game victory at their loyal fans. No Mike Evans controversy this time around to mar Sunday’s major statement at Arrowhead that triggered a raucous trip home.
Let’s hope the heating system on Jason Licht’s pool is operating efficiently:
* This one was for the offensive line in general and D.D. in particular. Coming off a subpar performance against Chicago, right tackle Demar Dotson erected a 6-foot-9 brick wall in front of Jameis Winston. Justin Houston, who posted 22 sacks in 2014, was invisible all afternoon coming off the left edge on Dotson’s day of redemption.
* Since struggling against Denver in Week 4, Winston has thrown 12 TD passes and only two picks while completing 62 percent of his passes. He carved up a good defense on third down and made smart decisions for 60 minutes. Any remaining Winston skeptics are feeling foolish today.
* Evans made the wrong kind of news a week ago, apologized on Tuesday and then tormented the Chiefs on Sunday with six catches for 105 yards. He is on pace for 104 receptions and a spot in the Pro Bowl in Orlando. K.C. was missing elite corner Marcus Peters, robbing this matchup of an intriguing game-within-the-game. Nice to see Evans back on the sports page and his final grab of the day — right in front of a joyous Bucs bench — was immense.
* Tampa Bay fans weren’t enthralled with Chris Conte through his first 22 games in a Buc uniform, but the past two weeks have been a revelation. He scored his first career touchdown last Sunday by intercepting Jay Cutler, then followed up with an end zone theft against Alex Smith, who had thrown only three picks all year. It was a huge momentum swing as Conte’s 53-yard return led to Tampa Bay’s only touchdown.
* On a day of woe for kickers throughout the league, rookie Roberto Aguayo continued his comeback tour, converting all four of his FG attempts and an extra point. Aguayo is now making solid contact, striking the ball with conviction while reducing Jason Licht’s daily intake of Mylanta.
* Chiefs coach Andy Reid outsmarted himself late in the first half … and it cost his team three points. Reid hastily called timeout with 58 seconds remaining and the Bucs facing 2nd-and-11 from their own 29. He was eager to conserve time for his own offense, but the strategy backfired when Winston hit Russell Shepard for 19 yards on the next play. Tampa Bay then had enough time to drive downfield for a field goal, leaving Reid and the Chiefs deflated.
* The defense did its part against K.C.’s ultra-conservative attack. Rookie Noah Spence and veteran Alterraun Verner took turns coming up big on third down, and I liked Verner’s new-found aggressiveness after he replaced an injured Brent Grimes.
* Dirk Koetter called a very solid game in a balanced attack that featured 40 passes and 34 runs. Tampa Bay’s third-down efficiency (11-of-16) was startling and much of the credit should go to the men up front. The only sack by K.C. was credited as a team sack on Winston’s fumble that short-circuited Tampa Bay’s initial drive.
* Doug Martin averaged a mere 2.6 yards on 24 carries, but he was noticeably sharper in his cuts than last week and often made the first defender miss. The Bucs will need him in peak form next week against a stingy Seattle run defense.
* The Bucs are now 4-1 away from Raymond James Stadium, riding a 3-game winning streak on the road after the Week 2 humbling at Phoenix. The only clubs with better road marks are the Cowboys, Raiders and Patriots, who are a combined 14-0. The Bucs have never finished 7-1 on the road in franchise history, but if they pull off that feat, they will likely be in the NFC playoff field for the first time since 2007.
November 20th, 2016 at 6:15 pm
Hey, no talk of playoffs.
Beautiful game though!!!! After today I can say I so happy I can talk smack tomorrow at work
C’mon BUCS
November 20th, 2016 at 6:20 pm
‘Any remaining Winston skeptics are feeling foolish today.’
To be honest, I’ve always been on board with Jameis, but earlier in the season, there were points where I got a little nervous. We’ve all seen talented quarterbacks who catch the interception bug and never make anything of themselves. Jameis the last few games has been efficient, and smart with the football. I love the way he senses pressure and how comfortable he is moving around, evading tacklers, all the while keeping his eyes open for receivers. The future sure looks bright.
November 20th, 2016 at 6:35 pm
At 9-5 ,we can talk about playoffs.Not until.
November 20th, 2016 at 6:38 pm
And the last remaining Winston skeptics lay down their swords and admit defeat. Speed up the release and improve accuracy and he gets into the hall of fame some day. Go Jamies!!!
November 20th, 2016 at 6:47 pm
Martin’s numbers were hurt by a few big losses. O-line played well but got blown up a few times.
November 20th, 2016 at 7:07 pm
It was a riviting game to watch. Edge of the seat action. Applause all around. Repeat this performance at home vs Seattle and what more can fans ask.
November 20th, 2016 at 7:16 pm
Glad to see the Bucs beat ira’s team
November 20th, 2016 at 7:16 pm
*riveting game to watch.
November 20th, 2016 at 8:20 pm
Between th tackles DM was fine it was the horrible pitch outs that killed him… Ill timed/bad play calls/poorly executed. I bet the losses on pitch outs were 20 yds.
November 20th, 2016 at 8:48 pm
The Bucs beat a veteran team in their prime in their (very noisy) house. I hope that the confidence that they are building carries over into the home game against Seattle.
The bend-don’t-break defense played well, especially in the 3rd quarter, and the interception by Conte was crucial. I understand that the Bucs want to avoid the big play, but the soft zone still makes me nervous. I really admire Noah Spence’s effort playing through his injury. I hope that Grimes is doing well. We are going to need him next week!
On offense, I was impressed with the long drives, but it is so important to finish off those drives with TDs rather than field goals (preaching to the choir). The WRs were catching the ball well, and they made a number of tough catches when needed. I was calling for Cecil Shorts to walk the plank the last few weeks, but he redeemed himself this week. Bob Sutton looked like he was about to have a heart attack on the score by Alan Cross. That play call was brilliant. The O-line is a patchwork, and they did well. The interior runs featuring Martin were not as effective, but those that featured Barber were exactly what the doctor ordered.
In my view, Aguayo should have gotten the game ball rather than Koetter (through Jameis). El Asesino deserved to be maligned at the beginning of the season, but he is turning the page. Keep up the good work! Besides, those zebra pants that Fox showed Dirk Koetter wearing in the 80s justifies a lifetime disqualification for receiving any game ball. I’m sure that he would understand.
RIP Kobe Faker! It was nice knowing you.
November 20th, 2016 at 8:59 pm
You mention Martin and the ave per carry.
It isn’t Martin. The OLine injuries have hurt the run blocking. The pass blocking stepped up, but the run blocking has been horrible for a couple weeks now
November 20th, 2016 at 9:11 pm
Again..perfectly summed up by Ira..enough said, no more to add…
November 20th, 2016 at 9:47 pm
RO and Dave, both great points.
O line was the issue. Doug picked up multiple 5+ yard runs but then would get swallowed up behind the line of scrimmage on the next play. I blame that on play calling. The tosses have not been working our line is not blocking them correctly.
November 21st, 2016 at 1:00 am
One good Left Tackle and the Bucs are Elite