12 Games & Counting
October 8th, 2020
When is the last time the Bucs allowed a 100-yard rusher in a game?
Some fans might say 2018, but it wasn’t quite that long ago.
In fact, it was running back Chris Carson carving up the Bucs in Seattle, but that was 12 games ago and the Tampa Bay defense has very much been in lockdown mode since.
The No. 1-ranked run defense in the NFL last year is allowing just 2.7 yards per carry this year. That’s tied for the best in the NFL and an improvement from 2019. It’s one of the great locks across sports right now; you simply cannot run on the Bucs.
That brings Joe to the Bears game tonight. Chicago doesn’t have a running game that’s going to test the Bucs defense, and with Nick Foles now in for Mitch Trubisky at quarterback, that means there’s no scrambling threat from that position. (If you think Foles is a runner, then you haven’t been paying attention since 2014.)
Joe is mainly typing this up to call attention to that stout run defense, and Joe suspects Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will be talking all about it on tonight’s FOX broadcast. There’s just no sign of slowing it down.
The fun thing is that the Bears, not wanting to get into a shootout with the Bucs, surely will have running back David Montgomery take his share of carries. He’s averaged just 3.0 yards per carry over his last two games and Joe’s eager to see if the Bucs can keep him under 2.0 tonight.
October 8th, 2020 at 6:21 am
Impressive turn around from 2018 and that sideshow of a defense run by you know who.
October 8th, 2020 at 7:21 am
If the secondary does not brain fart again and let someone get behind them, the Bucs will be fine because as advertised the Bears will be 1 demensional because they will not run the ball for much. That is not going to beat the Bucs unless the Bucs turnover the football. Should be another progression for the Bucs to get better and better. And then on to a needed 10 day rest. GO BUCS!!!
October 8th, 2020 at 8:22 am
What I love about the run defense since last year is how many times that an opponent has attempted to gain a 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1 and failed when trying to run against our defense.
My eyeballs tell me lots.
October 8th, 2020 at 9:28 am
@geno711
Agreed, they’ve gotten really stout at plugging up those short yardage situations.
Now we just need the pass defense to get better on 3rd downs…
October 8th, 2020 at 9:42 am
as long as the defense doesnt allow big plays over the top we should be fine…
31-20 BUCS!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 8th, 2020 at 9:50 am
L-F-G BUCS
October 8th, 2020 at 11:23 am
I expect a defensive battle. The Bucs defense is not going to get burned deep again in Chicago can’t run the ball against them. They are coming for Foles.
On the other side, the Bucs offense is extremely banged up and the Bears defense is damn good.
Bucs win 20-13 because they have Brady