Five Things
September 16th, 2024
Linebacker Lavonte David celebrates a stop late in the Bucs’ 20-16 win over the Lions. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.
Welcome to Victory Monday! No sense beating around the bush. Grab your coffee and let’s roll!
Landmark Win
Joe cannot remember a sweeter Week 2 win from the Bucs. Maybe it is because all offseason folks shat on the Bucs thinking Kirk Cousins was manna from heaven in Atlanta? Maybe it was the constant mocking of Baker Mayfield? Maybe it was folks just ignoring what the Bucs have accomplished this decade.
For whatever reason, the Bucs shocking the football world by thumping the Lions in their own Michigan den with a dominant defense, despite three of its top defensive players not named Lavonte David being injured, has Joe totally jacked this morning.
If the way that short-handed defense played with heart and passion and physicality doesn’t inspire you, perhaps you need your pulse checked — or need a new job. The only way Joe can describe it properly was “inspirational.”
Guys played their hearts out. Played with guts. Competed with fire. No whining or feeling sorry for themselves because of injuries. They went out there and attacked the Lions and owned Detroit.
SirVocea Dennis, you sir may have played yourself into a starting job. He came off the bench for K.J. Britt and was a total force. Hit with power. Covered ground in a flash. Wrapped up and tackled properly. Man, what a game the sophomore had.
Christian Izien? This guy is a hero. He may have saved the Bucs from a terrible comeback by Washington last week playing outside cornerback, a position he hadn’t played or practiced since high school. Izien was absolutely clutch yesterday playing for Antoine Winfield. What a game!
Rookie Tykee Smith showed why he was so respected when the Bucs drafted him. He didn’t look anything like a rookie.
Would the Bucs have won without cornerback Zyon McCollum? Now Joe sees clearly why the Bucs traded Carlton Davis. Joe is beginning to wonder if maybe McCollum should have been starting over Davis last season.
Hell, even Joe Tryon-Shoyinka was making plays yesterday. Maybe Bill Belicheat knows what he’s talking about?
Again, Joe cannot remember the last time the Bucs had a win that meant so much, felt so good in Week 2. In Joe’s mind, that had to be their best overall defensive showing since beating the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, even better than choking out the Cowboys in Dallas to start the 2022 season.
Four-And-Out
When is the last time you saw a Bucs defense rise up in a one-score game and deny one of the best teams in the NFL four times in the final quarter?
No Antoine Winfield. No Calijah Kancey. No Vita Vea (for the aforementioned fourth quarter).
Four times the Lions marched into Bucs territory in the fourth quarter. Four times they walked off the field without scoring. Not even a field goal.
That, boys and girls, is dominance. That’s heart. That’s will. The Bucs defense simply stripped the Lions of their will to score, their will to win.
For Joe, the guys making the biggest plays in the fourth quarter were guys you didn’t want to see on the field because they were backups. Or in the case of Dennis, a former backup. If that guy isn’t starting against the Broncos, it tells Joe that Dennis was outed for hitting on coach’s daughter.
Joe cannot say enough about how the Bucs defense manned up and played with such passion and fire and heart and determination. Inspirational!
The Turning Point
Joe is not sure he has ever seen the following before. Certainly not from a team with an explosive offense and perhaps the best offensive line in the NFL like Detroit has.
To Joe, the game’s most important stop came in the second quarter. The Lions were able to convert two fourth downs. On the same drive. Yet the Bucs still found a way to force the Lions off the field unscathed without a turnover.
Just fabulous work!
Keeping the Lions on that drive from even kicking a field goal saved the game. Think about it: If the Lions kicked a field goal after converting two fourth downs, they would have only needed a field goal in the fourth quarter to win.
In their last two drives, the Lions were within easy field goal range.
Joe honestly cannot recall a good team converting two fourth downs on the same drive and were sent off the field without any points, not even a field goal attempt.
Impressive, impressive defensive stand. And likely game-winning stand.
When Your Right Tackle Is Being Abused
Joe has learned that the Florida Department of Children and Families wants to take Justin Skule into protective custody. Because he was downright abused if not assaulted yesterday.
Joe felt awful for Skule. He clearly was overwhelmed. How so? Does 4.5 sacks from a guy mean anything? Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson collected his half-sack to give him 4.5 with over 12 minutes left in the game!
If that’s not assault, Joe doesn’t know what is. Hell, Joe remembers in 2016 when the Bucs played at Dallas and then-right tackle Gosder Cherilus, before he became a prized Delta Airlines flier, was turned into a set of swinging saloon doors by Dallas pass rushers, specifically David Irving. At least then-Bucs coach Dirk Koetter had enough decency to pull him out of the game (in mid-possession).
Poor Skule was never thrown a life preserver Sunday. If anything yesterday, Joe learned Liam Coen, who has otherwise been a godsend as an offensive coordinator, has work to do adjusting on the fly when his right tackle shows he has no business protecting a quarterback.
If not for a Bucs defensive game for the ages, Hutchinson would have single-handedly destroyed the Bucs hopes and prayers yesterday.
“He made our life miserable,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said of Hutchinson.
(If, after watching Hutchinson wilding on Skule and the Bucs, you do not understand Joe’s constant begging and pleading and crying for a pass rusher, then you’ll never get it.)
Joe hopes Coen learned that a ferocious edge rusher, if the right tackle isn’t challenging him, cannot be stopped with alleged help from Cade Otton or Rachaad White. Why Coen didn’t either go max-protect there or just put in a sixth offensive lineman in place of Otton and double-team Hutchinson on every play, Joe really doesn’t know.
It was such a one-sided beatdown by Hutchinson that Bucs fans on Twitter were hollering for Robert Hainsey.
Also, why did Coen think running at Hutchinson and behind Skule was a slick move? Has Tristan Wirfs devolved as a run blocker so horribly since his rookie season when Bucco Bruce Arians bragged about his run blocking that running behind Skule was the smarter choice? Even after Hutchinson abused him play after play?
Hutchinson is a great player. Hats off to him. The Bucs thinking a guy having a career game rushing Baker Mayfield could be stopped by a below-average blocking tight end and/or a running back very nearly cost the Bucs a precious win.
It could have been worse. Mayfield could have been injured.
Playoffs? Yes, Playoffs!
BSPN noted that in the past five years, teams that jumped out to a 2-0 record to start the season, 79 percent advanced to the playoffs.
Per PlayoffStatus.com, the Bucs have a 71 percent chance of making the playoffs as a result of beating the Lions.
The Athletic has a dimmer view of the Bucs’ playoff chances at 58 percent.
So yes, Bucs fans, math is on your side. It is positively OK to talk playoffs in mid-September. That is what happens when you are a three-time defending NFC South champion punking the arses of a team in the NFC title game last season — in their own den.
September 16th, 2024 at 5:16 am
Dennis needs to be on the field more – the man can hit!
September 16th, 2024 at 5:19 am
Nothing against the guy but Skule was awful, nothing else you can say.
The Coaches have to take some of the blame because they were late to adjust. Even after that though Skule should have been replaced. Both sacks in the 2md half the help from White and Otton (if i remeber) was quite good but when they released Hutchinson Skule didnt even touched him,
If Goedeke is still out for the next game i believe the Coaches must seriously consider to give the reps in practice to another Tackle.
Go Bucs
September 16th, 2024 at 5:27 am
We understand your obsession for an edge rusher. We also understand team wins like yesterday trump one great edge rushing performance. Just ask the lions. Bucs took turns making plays!! Great job Bucs! Bowles didn’t give up this time either!
September 16th, 2024 at 5:40 am
Just goes to show Joe having the best edge rusher in the game isn’t a ticket to the Super Bowl. This was a game the Bucs had no business winning. It’s also what makes football the greatest game in the world, because the Bucs won. Izien is certainly a toes on the line kind of guy, well coached. Say what you will about Shiano, but the guy knows defense, and prepares his boys for the pros. Can’t say enough about Bowles, any doubt these players will run through a wall for him? Still alot to clean up, but this is a gutsy team that’s a pleasure to root for. Go BUCS!.
September 16th, 2024 at 5:43 am
If the way that short-handed defense played with heart and passion and physicality doesn’t inspire you this morning, perhaps you need to have your pulse checked –
Almost brings a tear to your eye doesn’t it? Oh wait, that level of emotion isn’t allowed. 🙂
Great game. Great summary. So jacked for next week’s game.
September 16th, 2024 at 5:47 am
What a win ! What a win ! Plus it gives all these backups & first or second year guys film to watch and learn from as well as big game experience. Nothing wrong with that . But man oh man joe is right , we need pass rush help . Big time…great win GO BUCS
September 16th, 2024 at 5:51 am
I’ll take a W over sacks all day.
September 16th, 2024 at 6:50 am
What’s happened to Camarda’s powerful leg? He’s sitting at 44 yard avg and number 24th on the list of punters by avg yards per punt. He wasn’t helping the team much yesterday in the field position battle. His kickoffs look strong so I’m thinking he’s not injured, but short punts and not much hang time isn’t like him. It used to be “Wow! Did you see that punt?” Now it’s “what the heck was that?”. We need our weapon back and Camarda used to be that weapon.
September 16th, 2024 at 7:06 am
Joe said – “If the way that short-handed defense played with heart and passion and physicality doesn’t inspire you, perhaps you need your pulse checked — or need a new job. The only way Joe can describe it properly was “inspirational.”
And yet in an earlier post you mocked Bucs’ officials for having tears in their eyes after the win, because it’s so early in the season. It’s not about 2-0. It’s about the circumstances under which they won that game.
September 16th, 2024 at 7:38 am
“ Four times the Lions marched into Bucs territory in the fourth quarter. Four times they walked off the field without scoring. Not even a field goal
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Four times the Lions marched into Bucs territory in the fourth quarter. Four times they walked off the field without scoring. Not even a field goal
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Four times the Lions marched into Bucs territory in the fourth quarter. Four times they walked off the field without scoring. Not even a field goal“
Probably some of the best Bucball in the history of the team, among the best!
September 16th, 2024 at 7:42 am
I don’t usually watch individual Ol during the game live but in the past 2 I have seen Cody Mauch get rag dolled into the picture
September 16th, 2024 at 7:45 am
And the dirty birds that everyone was picking to win the division now have almost a must win game tonight in their second week.
September 16th, 2024 at 7:47 am
I have said often that Bucs have more depth and yesterday bears that out. Nice of Campbell to take all the blame on himself for the loss , but that does not deflect from the absolutely GREAT play of the DEFENSE that did not allow a TD in six red zone attempts for the Lions. I really would not want to be Bo Nix
September 16th, 2024 at 7:48 am
Joe … ‘Why did Coen think running at Hutchinson and behind Skule was a slick move? Has Tristan Wirfs devolved as a run blocker so horribly since his rookie season when Bucco Bruce Arians bragged about his run blocking that running behind Skule was the smarter choice?’
Great question Joe, and apparently the answer to your 1st question is YES, but to the 2nd … ‘Who knows?’.
Bucs ran over RT 5 times yesterday for 24 yds (4.8 YPC). We ran over LT 4 times for 8 yds (2.0 YPC).
We had similar results last week. Bucs ran over RT 9 times for 47 yds (5.2 YPC). We ran over LT 4 times for minus 4 yds (minus 1.0 YPC). We had similar results when we ran around the ends in that game. Bucs ran around Left End 3 times last week for minus 3 yds (minus 1.0 YPC), and around Right End 2 times for 8 yds (4.0 YPC).
I thought it must’ve been because Washington was stouter to our Left, but now I’m not so sure. Maybe Tristan lost too much weight this summer, or maybe Bredeson isn’t providing adequate support on that side. Or maybe our RBs just run better to the right, for whatever reason. Befuddling
September 16th, 2024 at 7:54 am
Nit picking is usually not my style but I don’t think CG14 had a catch in the 2nd half. He was unstoppable moving the chains and of course, scoring. Just an observation,. Go Bucs!! Great win.
September 16th, 2024 at 8:08 am
If, after watching Hutchinson wilding on Skule and the Bucs, you do not understand Joe’s constant begging and pleading and crying for a pass rusher, then you’ll never get it.
he may have wrecked the game but his 4sacks didnt win the game!!!!…compared to the bucs getting 0sacks, winning the TO battle(due to pressure not sacks) and obviously winning the game….sacks are a great stat but they dont tell the entire story
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 16th, 2024 at 8:08 am
This sounds mean, but I never want to see Skule on the field again. I don’t care how good Hutchinson is, when you almost set a record, or you’re in a top 10 defensive individual performance of all time, you can’t just say Hutchinson is that good, it’s that we Skule was that bad. Mr. Isbits noted on that last pod before the game how terrified he was if Goedeke couldn’t go. He was 100% right. We need a better solution at back-up tackle…and I thought Wells was bad, Jesus Skule with TE help was just terrible.
Moving forward, we have to hope that our Oline improves, even outside of losing Goedeke, it has not been what we hoped it would be. Wirfs has not been himself at LT, Mauch is still finding his footing as a 2nd year guy, lets hope he gets there. Our center will be a nasty SOB. We should be healthy on our O-line going into next weekend against a struggling team. Hoping we can really work out the kinks against them on our home field.
September 16th, 2024 at 8:11 am
I don’t understand why Coen didn’t make an adjustment and get Skule help. He clearly saw that Hutchinson was killing the guy. I also don’t understand why offensive play calling wasn’t changed to throw quick slants, RBs screens, and no huddle. 5 step drops won’t work when you don’t have good QB protection. Think Coen needs to look at his failures in this game. Defense saved his azz.
September 16th, 2024 at 8:21 am
It’s crazy to think of how Goedeke was sick a punching bag a couple seasons ago. People wanted him run out of the state. Now he has developed into a vital part of the offensive line that can’t afford not having him out there.
September 16th, 2024 at 8:25 am
I cannot remember a more wonderfully written JBF post. The joy and enthusiasm of Joe here is palpable and I love to see it. Definitely reflects how we all feel about this team. What a great way to start the week.
September 16th, 2024 at 8:33 am
Bowles definitely deserves the majority of credit for this victory.
September 16th, 2024 at 8:34 am
Isn’t Coen a rookie OC this year? He’s going to make a few mistakes. Hutchinson looks more like a TE than an edge rusher, but he is a one-man wrecking crew. Wow. 5 sacks…..bet Mayfield is sore this am. Hope he’s soaking in a hot tub. Geezus, what a game. That’s the definition of Cardiac Bucs to the max, people. How sweet it is!
September 16th, 2024 at 9:19 am
This team is taking its leadership from Baker Mayfield ….They are fired up
September 16th, 2024 at 9:59 am
I am a little disappointed with Coen…. I really thought they would have a better attack plan on Hutchinson. Everyone and their brother knew he is a beast. Very fortunate to overcome all the adversity the Bucs had going against them, especially not accounting for Detroit’s best pass rusher.
September 16th, 2024 at 10:22 am
So did Todd Bowles.
September 16th, 2024 at 11:04 am
TE’s were absent as receivers because of Hutchinson.
Great game, edge-of-seat stuff, win by Moxie.
Baker Mayfield is my QB, and WILL lead the Buc’s for years to come.
Many questions were answered yesterday. I think the DBfield may be a surprising strength.
And Dennis earned a whole bunch more snaps. Dude was a missile yesterday.
September 16th, 2024 at 11:33 am
Great article Joe! I was watching the game waiting for a sack, I know a Hasan Reddick article is coming soon 🤣
September 16th, 2024 at 11:36 am
No way I am talking or thinking about playoffs after week freaking 2!!!!
Our run game needs to step it up, this is getting old! We have to be more balanced or it WILL catch up with us!
September 16th, 2024 at 11:41 am
Two things I believe is that Tykee Smith played well but he is right at the edge on taunting calls and other personal fails. I like that he plays with an attitude but he needs to be smart about it. Less lenient officiating crews are going to call him on it. And # 2, the Bucs have to get a better swing tackle. I saw fans calling for the Bucs to draft a tackle day 2 in the ‘25 draft. I disagreed until I watched the game Sunday. I would love to have a 3rd Tackle that they can put in without a huge drop-off.
September 16th, 2024 at 11:44 am
Great article. Love these Ira-style longer ones.
September 16th, 2024 at 11:50 am
Wasn’t there speculation the White had a sore hamstring and that was why they didn’t do many screen passes. I thought I heard this on one of the post game wrap-up shows. Hopefully we will get a injury update on Wednesday and find out more on the player’s injury status.
September 16th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
I, too, loved the long, positive post! Well done, Joe!!
September 16th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Agree with others. Love the lengthier overview.
For sure, we were all worried about Hutchinson sacking Baker. Felt sorry for Skule. Yes to a pass rusher. At one point it looked like Baker’s back could have been injured. But he shook it off. Edge of your seat game with a solid win. Go Bucs!
September 16th, 2024 at 1:47 pm
Whilst I realize Coen is the OC and responsible for the O, my question is: Why didn’t the O-line coach do SOMETHING? I could see if he wanted to wait until halftime to make adjustments, but hardly any adjustments were made.
Befuddling, indeed.
September 16th, 2024 at 3:02 pm
With that terrific win why can’t every post just show positivity do u think for a second that Skule doesn’t already knows that the door closed for him have a bit of heart if he cud have done anything bout Hutchinson he wud have.give me a break with the hate speeches
September 16th, 2024 at 5:56 pm
The article got me so fired up I started day drinking early.
September 17th, 2024 at 8:03 am
Game ball to Greg Gaines as well. He stepped up big time.
Go Bucs!