Bucs Defense Improves To 20th-Ranked In NFL
October 5th, 2021
With the Chargers knocking off the Raiders last night, stats across the NFL evened out as every team has now played four games.
Yeah, the Bucs have the worst pass defense in the league. Those paying attention don’t need a stat nerd to provide the data. And the same goes for the Bucs’ NFL-best run defense.
But overall, the Bucs defense improved after the New England performance to 20th-ranked in the NFL (total yards per game).
The Tampa Bay offense remains No. 1 in the NFL, despite an off night, and the rushing attack got out of the cellar and now ranks 30th in the league.
Of course, all that matters is the scoreboard, and at 3-1, the Bucs are in good shape with only Arizona undefeated in the NFC.
Sunday’s opponent, Miami, is awful. So Joe expects the Bucs defense to be officially average by this time next week.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:57 am
Lenny wasn’t messing around. I still wish our oline would open holes like the Chargers did for Ekeler Monday night. You could drive a truck through some of them. The oline was in the second level.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:07 pm
Can’t wait to see a Sold-Out RayJay at 1pm sunday. The Glazer kids said EVERY single seat is sold out this season right??????? Play as many scrubs as possible. Get OJ & Tyler Johnson going on offense. Give Lavonte rest
October 5th, 2021 at 12:07 pm
This secondary is digging its own grave. Now we got AWJr out. We need to get at least one above average CB because these injuries are getting ugly.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
The BUCS are no longer in Stephen A’s top 5 list. đ
October 5th, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Rankings don’t mean much except for the W-L record….
Since we now are absolutely certain how teams will attack our defense…surely there is a way to stop this.
One thing I have noticed is that with all the blitzes and all the pass attempts against us, I think we have tipped or batted 2 balls all year…..
That is totally unacceptable….our pass rushers need to get hands up if they don’t get to the qb….
I realize that we take a risk of getting burned deep if we play WRs much tighter on the line…but our safeties are generally healthy and are very good….I think it’s worth the risk, especially against mediocre QBs….
October 5th, 2021 at 12:12 pm
The D is the Worst …Pass Defense
BUT…………
The D is the Best….Run Defense
Ok….. But no matter how you slice it, HELP IS NEEDED!!!!!
Devin better make a real phone call for some HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No Bucs fan is resting easy about the D
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!
October 5th, 2021 at 12:18 pm
Tbbf
If itâs still legal to Chuck at the LOS⌠why wouldnât we? These free releases and 10 yard cushions let rookie Quarterbacks complete 19 straight.
1.5 seconds could make all the difference. Is getting beat deep worse than death by 1000 cuts? At least our offense would get back out there quicker.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:27 pm
Might have to tough one more game out. Sounds like dean is almost ready, but maybe one more week. Having deam, Sherman, Cockrell, dessir can hold it down probably for a couple more weeks until bunting hopefully retur hopefully pass rush will be better
October 5th, 2021 at 12:31 pm
We weathered the storm and are off to a 3-1 start. This team finds a way to win despite the adversity it faces. We lost those games last year at this point. At the start of every season we hear about Kyler, or how Russ is cooking, but we all know who the league talks about when playoffs come around. Let this team play itself back into form. 13 games to go. The sky isnt falling. We just need to run off a few more efficient wins. No need to play your best ball in September and October.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:31 pm
TBBFan – “… surely there is a way to stop this.” One would think that our D coaches would be smart enough to pick up on this trend you cite. After all, who needs to run when the Pats completed 20 consecutive (mostly short) passes during one stretch. I hope the coaches noted this and find “that way”. I think the problem lies more in poor D strategies/plans than with the players. Could be wrong – but that is my take.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:32 pm
our corners giving 7-9 yd cushion. Classic example of “playing to not lose” = you lose. Tom should be classified as a defensive player also hahahaha
October 5th, 2021 at 12:32 pm
I re-watched the game again yesterday focusing mostly on the DL. I think Tryon is gonna be the real deal. He was almost always in the right spot. He got two sacks but he got Real close several other times. I am pleased with the rook so far.
Joe, you wanted JTS to get 6 or 7 sacks this yr. He is well on his way.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:33 pm
Looking forward to seeing the Bucs man-handle Miami on Sunday at The Licht House. If the Bucs medical/training staff had any sense, they’d give pill-popping, Natty Boh binge-drinking, Rojo-peeved, Trask-bashing, meltdown-having, Monday-Morning-Quarterbacking @Medicated Pete a call for some stiff drugs to slip to our DBs. They’ll need all they can get, but I ultimately think Richard Sherman and Pierre Desir will get better as the szn progresses and folks get healthier around them… #GoBucs
October 5th, 2021 at 12:36 pm
SB even in past weeks Tyron has been pretty close at times, ateast early in games. He tends to fade a bit after first quarter, but I think he’s improving in that area. He didn’t play at all last year
October 5th, 2021 at 12:41 pm
ARGH, a 1 pm game, so friggin hot.
Gotta suck it up I suppose, I am trying to make an effort to go to all the games this year, attend all of TB12’s games he plays for us. Although I have yet to be impressed by a spectacular 60 minutes of play.
Had I gone to see them in LA I may have felt I got that from the Rams.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
And here comes The Miami Minnows.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:49 pm
These are some ugly injuries to prime players, but is this not the best possible time? Weâre only four games in with a week 9 bye week.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:51 pm
I donât think they are going to trade for anyone. Looking at the upcoming opponents, I think they are going to try to weather it until they get Dean and maybe SMB back. There is no âeasy gameâ in the NFL. But the next 3 opponents either lack the full ability to expose our secondary problems or Brady should be able to outscore them. The Saints game is probably the toughest game before the bye. Hopefully at least Dean is back by then and Sherman should be in better shape. Winfield should be back by philly game or Chicago.
It also may depend on how serious Davisâs injury is. If itâs season-ending, then they may consider looking at trade options. But if heâs going to get back in a month or so and if SMB is back in a month or so. I donât expect any moves.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:53 pm
The defense is going to be just fine. The Cowboys offense just dismantled a very strong Carolina defense and the Falcons are displaying some creativity that is taking most by surprise. The Rams are the Rams and the Patriots have McDaniel and BB. Sunday night the D-line was outstanding. Vita Vea is an absolute monster, the rest of the defense revolves around him. Sherman will get better and the injuries will heal. JTS will only get more comfortable and showed JPP like abilities all night in NE. We’re 3-1. We’re just fine.
October 5th, 2021 at 1:14 pm
If you rush in with your hands up, you’re throwing away your biggest tool to get around the O lineman. Nothing wrong with leaping as he fires the ball
October 5th, 2021 at 1:31 pm
The secondary will get better. The more practice as the starter the chance for improvement is there. Sherman will help with them and his presence alone will help. Give the coaches a chance to do their job. They are good athletes and they’ll improve every week. If the defense can apply pressure on the quarterback then that alone will help the secondary. Coach Bowles will make sure that they improve every week. The offence will need to do well while the new defensive backs work to adjust and improve.
.
October 5th, 2021 at 1:35 pm
TBBF spot on.
Mid Atlantic – hilarious and also spot on!
October 5th, 2021 at 1:59 pm
Bucs are ravaged by injuries on defense. If they lien on their offense and get a few of the guys back over the next few weeks the Bucs should be able to go on a nice run heading into the bye week. After the bye week I am hoping Carlton Davis and SMB will be back.
October 5th, 2021 at 1:59 pm
lol classic Mid Atlantic, some Toe Drag Swag lol
If the Bucs medical/training staff had any sense, theyâd give pill-popping, Natty Boh binge-drinking, Rojo-peeved, Trask-bashing, meltdown-having, Monday-Morning-Quarterbacking @Medicated Pete a call for some stiff drugs to slip to our DBs.
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 5th, 2021 at 2:31 pm
Bucs having the #1 run defense (only 190 rushing yards allowed) but the #32 pass defense (allowing 1310 passing yards … exactly the same as our own high-powered offense) is mind-boggling. And yet we’re getting it done defensively come crunch time.
It looks like Todd Bowles is adjusting more each game than what it seemed at first. He hasn’t compromised any on stopping the run first, but he’s become much more selective in his blitzing it looks like. Also seems like we’re back to playing the old ‘bend but don’t break’ type of defense, and we seem to be doing a decent job of limiting opponents to FGs instead of allowing TDs.
With 5 defensive starters out of action (JPP, Davis, Dean, SMB & Winfield) he’s got his hands full. Thankfully the Front-7 is still pretty much intact, and they’ve got the capability to take command of the game against the Dolphins this week.
October 5th, 2021 at 2:52 pm
I’m hoping to do some tailgating with Medicated Pete, in the Wal-Mart parking lot by his old camper.
The Natty’s were on sale this week, so I bought extra.
We should be fixed up.
October 5th, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Let’s not talk down the Dolphins like the Fowlclowns game. If it weren’t for 2 pick 6s, it could have been a different story.
October 5th, 2021 at 5:01 pm
This defense blows even before the injuries. But the good news is the season is still very young. They were pretty much trash last year up until about 5 games left in the season (minus of course the Green Bay game).
October 5th, 2021 at 5:12 pm
this is such a trap game…coming off a win on the road (probably biggest regular season game ever) Now we are playing against an “inferior opponent” with a Thursday night game coming up.
Fans need to be ready Sunday – Go Bucs!
October 5th, 2021 at 10:02 pm
Saw a tweet that Davis will be out 2-4 weeks any truth to that? Also believe that the front seven will produce way more sacks against upcoming opponents particularly Brisett who tends to hold on to the ball longer than most QB’s. The Philly game will be interesting because I believe our front seven can shut down Hurt’s option plays and hold him to under 50 yards, force him to throw which may allow for turnovers at the intermediate level.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:08 pm
Here’s the thing yes the secondary is banged up but the front seven is still elite. If White could learn pass coverage it would lessen the strain on the back end. Honestly I believe that Sherman and Desir are quite capable of keeping things in front of them. I’m mover concerned about Winfiield’s absence. He’s a thumper and really good at creating turnovers.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:11 pm
@Defense Rules
Yes the front seven can control the game (controlling the line of scrimmage as Miami’s O line is pretty weak), getting sacks, forcing fumbles, etc. I’ll bet you a bottom dollar that the secondary will keep things in from of them.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:17 pm
From Bucs Life
“In Sundayâs game against the Patriots, CB Carlton Davis III went down with a quad injury and was assisted off of the field and carted from the sideline to the locker room. The MRIs have been completed and the team received a bit of good news.
According to a source with first hand knowledge of the situation, the Buccaneers are expected to be without Carlton Davis III for two to four weeks with a quad strain. This is good news because it looked a lot worse during real time on the broadcast.”
October 5th, 2021 at 10:23 pm
Next xix games qb’s:
Brisett
Hurts
Dalton or Fields
Winston
Heinicke
Jones
The Defense will be in the top 10 after these six games i don’t care who’s in the secondary.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:03 pm
Time to beat up on some bad teams to pad the stats — and I’m totally for that.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:25 pm
Honestly the only loss i see coming is against the Bills at home. Please tell me where another loss could come in this weak schedule; Dolphins, Eagles, Bears, Saints, WFT, Giants, Colts, Falcons, Bills, Saints, Panthers, Jets, Panthers. Everyone needs to take a chill pill and realize that this is a 12-13 win team.
October 6th, 2021 at 5:00 am
IrishTony … I won’t take your bet that “the secondary will keep things in from of them” because they don’t have much choice. With Davis, Dean & SMB all out (plus Winfield for a week or so), we don’t have elite speed back there to do much of anything else. Might be wrong, but it’s looking more & more like Todd Bowles is willing to give up the short pass completions in exchange for (1) protecting against the big play; (2) pressuring the QB into quick throws; AND (3) capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes UNTIL they get down into FG territory. Then we ‘stiffen’ it looks like. (Taking a page from Monte Kiffen’s playbook?)
Bucs’ opponents have had 48 drives in 4 games. Here’s what our defense has accomplished:
o TDs Allowed: 12
o FGs Allowed: 7
o FGs Missed: 3
o Punts Forced: 14
o Out on Downs: 6
o Takeaways: 6
Our defense has had the most passes attempted against it BY FAR (186 total … almost 47 per game) and has given up the most completions BY FAR (137 total … 34 per game or 73.7% for a #32 ranking) as well as the most passing yards allowed BY FAR (1,310 yds). We’re tied for #1 in most Passing TDs Allowed (11), but have the least Rushing TDs Allowed (1).
And yet our Average Yards Per Completed Catch Allowed is close to the lowest in the league (10.0 yds … we rank #7 and #1, the Bengals, is averaging 9.3 yds allowed). We’re doing terrible in 3rd down conversions allowed (ranked #28 in the league at 48.2%) but we appear to be doing a good job of forcing FG Attempts (we rank #4 with 10 FGs Attempted against us, and opponents have only made 7 of those). Looks to me like we ‘stiffen’ (somewhat) when opponents get closer to the goal line. In all fairness to our defense, we have played 4 pretty good QBs & we have had to deal with a lot of injuries. And yet we’re 3-1.