Dominant Run Defense Numbers May Be Misleading
September 13th, 2023
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
After Week 1, no NFL defense has given up fewer rushing yards than the Bucs’.
The Bucs allowed 41 yards on the ground to Minnesota on Sunday, matched only by the 49ers who gave up 41 to Pittsburgh.
For a guy whose goal is to stop the run each and every game, you’d think Bucs coach Todd Bowles would be smiling wide after Sunday’s performance. Today, Bowles cautioned that the team shouldn’t get over its skis.
The way Bowles spoke and grimaced about the run defense, it seems he thought the Bucs could do better.
“The results were good,” said Bowles, hinting he may have had some issues with the run defense. The Vikings “may have gotten away from [the run] a little bit. They probably got a little pass-happy. That helped out too.”
No, Bowles didn’t call anyone out or suggest his run defense was lousy. But Bowles’ body language when addressing the run defense, Joe translated it as, “Meh!”
Talk about high standards!
September 13th, 2023 at 4:59 pm
Maybe the Vikes got pass happy because of our run defense…or maybe our pass defense.
September 13th, 2023 at 5:16 pm
there will probably be a lot less big chunk pass plays this sunday with fields and his receivers…
so the key is to clamp down on the run…
fields isn’t even really a quarterback…i don’t know wtf he is…
he’s just a big draft mistake running for big chunks at this point – and that doesn’t last either for qbs
September 13th, 2023 at 5:24 pm
I think we will head to NOLA tied for 1st with those Stinking Stanks.
September 13th, 2023 at 5:30 pm
Noticed in the Advanced Rushing stats that Mattison had 11 rushes for 34 yards, BUT … his Yards Before Contact (YBC) was only 13 yards, while his Yards After Contact (YAC) was 21 yards. THAT might be what Bowles was not pleased with.
Mattison had 6 runs up the middle. One went for 9 yards. Another went for 8 yards. Four others netted 0 yards. Maybe Todd wasn’t happy with the 2 longer ones up the middle (gap control?).
September 13th, 2023 at 5:47 pm
A couple runs, to the left?, we didn’t set the edge. It may have been schematic or some missed assignments. I’d take Mattison over most of our backs, his touchdown run past Izien was a tremendous effort. Isien is a good tackler but Mattison willed himself to the TD.
September 13th, 2023 at 7:51 pm
What are you a Viking fan JimBob Mattison ain’t nothing special you watched the game and all you can comment about is some little Mattison run . Go route for the Vikings.
September 13th, 2023 at 8:28 pm
I noticed what the stats provided by defense rules indicate. Mattison doesn’t go down easy. I was relieved he didn’t get the ball more often. Despite being in traffic, he was adept at using his off ball hand to keep to his feet. He’d look great in pewter & red because the Bucs need someone who gets past first contact.
September 13th, 2023 at 8:33 pm
They don’t need to start thinking they have it under wraps.
September 13th, 2023 at 10:03 pm
Adam from New York just stay there lol…if you think fields isn’t nice your an idiot his line is poor and he has no viable options at wr. Dudes a baller with a bad club .
September 13th, 2023 at 10:53 pm
DJ Moore is a good receiver
September 14th, 2023 at 3:27 am
He is not wrong. For some reason the Vikes changed the offensive game plan as noted by Tki and or Ryan.
Go Bucs!