Third-Down Winners

October 19th, 2024

Obviously, the goal of any offense is to never reach third down.

Some playcallers lose sight of that. Thankfully, Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen isn’t one of them.

But success on third down is a sign of an effective offense, and the 2024 Bucs are among the best. Tampa Bay ranks third in the NFL at moving the chains on third down — with success 47.06 percent of the time. Tom Brady’s Bucs never had that level of conversion in his three seasons.

What’s troubling this week is that Monday’s opponent, the relentless Ravens, lead the league in third-down conversion at 51.47 percent.

No team has posted a season mark that high since the 2021 Chiefs.

Joe is not going to focus on Monday now and only will celebrate how efficient this new Bucs offense has been. They run well. They pass well. They’re good on the money down. And Baker Mayfield leads the NFL in touchdown passes.

This could all signal a one-and-done situation for Coen in Tampa — unless Team Glazer steps up with an unprecedented check.

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17 Responses to “Third-Down Winners”

  1. GoneGator Says:

    Coach it up Liam ! Strive for perfection !

  2. PewterStiffArm Says:

    Sometimes, coordinators like to stay as coordinators for a little while. Hopefully that is the case with Liam, continue to impress offensively and the Glazers will definitely have that conversation. Keep your fingers crossed.

  3. Jeffs grandpa Says:

    If Coen is one and done Todd and Baker will be known as king makers and will have their pick of the litter for up and coming offensive minds

  4. Not Says:

    Fire Bowles and promote Coen

  5. Crickett Baker Says:

    I was wrong thinking Canals was smart enough to stay with us and I was wrong wanting him to. Liam seems much more mature and I think *again he will stay as our OC. He also has a lot to learn.

  6. Citrus County Says:

    Crickett Baker Says:
    October 19th, 2024 at 5:59 pm
    I was wrong thinking Canals was smart enough to stay with us and I was wrong wanting him to. Liam seems much more mature and I think *again he will stay as our OC. He also has a lot to learn.
    ^^^^
    Ditto. It worked out for the best. Perhaps it was true that Todd had to take what he could get because of his “hot seat scenario”.

  7. orlbucfan Says:

    Not Says:
    October 19th, 2024 at 5:39 pm
    Fire Bowles and promote Coen
    —————————–
    Get lost, troll. We’ve got enough pollution in this state!

  8. Citrus County Says:

    orlbucfan Says:
    October 19th, 2024 at 6:12 pm
    Not Says:
    October 19th, 2024 at 5:39 pm
    Fire Bowles and promote Coen
    —————————–
    Get lost, troll. We’ve got enough pollution in this state!
    ^^^^
    That’s telling him !

  9. orlbucfan Says:

    Thanks Citrus Co. I’m on a roll this weekend. My BD is tomorrow. Bucs owe me for all the faithful years of support. The Ravens’ weakness is their secondary. Bucs have the O to take advantage of it.

  10. Citrus County Says:

    orlbucfan Says:
    October 19th, 2024 at 6:30 pm
    ^^^^^
    On the cusp I see. We’ve paid our dues for decades. I sure hope to live long enough to see a good long run with a true franchise QB.

  11. DJB Says:

    Bucs will soften them up with the short, intermediate and occasional deep ball, and then gash them with the run later in the game.

  12. Bucks 'n' Bucs Says:

    Good post DJB!!

  13. heyjude Says:

    Right on, Joe! We have a great team!

    Coen is the real deal and the offense is showing it. Plays are not primarily running up the middle any longer, and it’s keeping our opponents guessing.

    DJB – Great comment!
    orlbucfan – So true, Ravens have weaknesses too. Happy Birthday!
    Citrus and Crickett – Agreed. I wasn’t optimistic about Canales staying, but was hoping for the best. Once it was known that he was going to the Panthers, there was that unknown feeling of who the Bucs would hire in his place. It all ended up being the best decision for the Bucs, and we have Coen.

    Todd Bowles is doing a really good job too. The team respects Todd. He has the locker room. No drama. Good vibes. Go Bucs!

  14. Win in the Trenches Says:

    Team Glazer steps up with an unprecedented check…..

    1000% this needs to happen…. Bucs havent had a O.C. like this in a while … need to keep the chemistry together.

  15. SenileSenior Says:

    “We have paid our dues for decades.” In my case since the 90s.

    If we beat the Ravens we will be considered top tier at least for a while. If we lose but beat the Falcons we will be dismissed along with the rest of the NFC South. That is the way it goes.

    Go Bucs! Topple the mighty Ravens!

  16. Don'tBmad Says:

    Ravens will be a stiff and ruff test. Lamar is good at exploiting average pass rush on 3rd down. Baker will need lots of help against a very good Baltimore defense with Evans hobbles and run game still sorta suspect. Late field goal wins it…coin flip

  17. Glass Half Full Guy Says:

    I don’t think anyone would have picked our Bucs to be #2 in PPG after 6 weeks, either. The Crows will be tough tonight, especially if manbeast Vita Vea can’t go. If we can stop King Henry, we should win this game. The Ravens D isn’t the dominant force it once was and Jackson isn’t throwing the ball at MVP level, either. If we can start fast again like last week (and not nap during the 2nd qtr again) and make the Crows one-dimensional, it could be another big win.