The Bucs Kicked Tail On Third Downs
December 16th, 2024
Stat says it all.
One only needs to read one stat to know the Bucs took a frozen lead pipe to the Chargers yesterday in a dicey Los Angeles back alley.
And this stat makes any other stat pale in comparison — except the score.
The Bucs defense, with Salvation Army volunteers playing safety (thankfully they left their bells at Publix), shut out the Chargers on third downs.
You read that right: Los Angeles’ third down conversion rate was zero percent. Noda. None.
They were 0-6 on third downs.
Even better for the Bucs, the two times the Chargers went for it on fourth down (obviously encouraged by BSPN Analytics), the Bucs’ defense stoned the mighty Chargers.
That, folks, is playing defense. And unless a team is the 1999 Rams, the 1984 49ers or perhaps the 2020 Bucs, if you can’t convert a third down, you aren’t winning.
The teams Joe mentioned? Those offenses were so potent they didn’t need third downs to convert.
December 16th, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Been a Buc fan along time never saw that stat, amazing if you really think about it! We were giving up 3rd and 20 on a regular basis. Hats off to the D!!! Go Bucs!!
December 16th, 2024 at 3:11 pm
Kudos to Todd, the defensive staff and players 💪🏼
December 16th, 2024 at 3:30 pm
Proud of the D. They came to play yesterday. Shout out to our kicker as well. Gotta show McLaughlin some love too! He was money yesterday as well. Go Bucs!
December 16th, 2024 at 3:40 pm
The D came to play yesterday! Let’s keep momentum going boys! And can we also show our kicker some love? McLaughlin was money yesterday.
December 16th, 2024 at 3:47 pm
What happened to the injury excuse. It has been said over and over again that the sub-performance of the defense throughout the season has been due to injury. Well apparently that is not the case after-all. The defense was plenty injured yesterday yet they turned in a good performance. Coen’s offense has been injured but has played well throughout. So, maybe it has been the defensive coaching that’s been lacking. Is the performance of yesterday’s defense is what we should expect from here on out or will it slide right back into the miserable abyss fans have endured and come to expect from the start.
December 16th, 2024 at 4:03 pm
Durango, I share your concern. At least it looks like Coach is mixing in a lot more pressure-man calls which seems to be having a desired effect. The criticism leveled at Coach’s game management and shabby defensive performances has been warranted. If what we saw yesterday and in recent weeks is a new normal, Coach deserves kudos for making the adjustments.
Let’s hope it’s not anomaly.
December 16th, 2024 at 4:08 pm
Cautionary Tale: Overreaction Monday! We aren’t as bad as we looked against Carolina or as good as against San Diego. There are two or three plays each week that determine most of the outcomes in NFL games. Diego punting from the 42 into the end zone and the Buccaneers getting 3 before halftime; then Baker hitting Evans and Diego missing the tackle BALLGAME! Against Atlanta, Bucky’s fumble and the ref’s missing an obvious face-mask penalty.
December 16th, 2024 at 4:11 pm
2024 Bucs offense… Elite like 2020 Bucs…
… in the first quarter.
We’re not too bad in the fourth quarter either, it’s the defense that gave those games away during that skid.
Ravens game was the only game we really didn’t have a shot at, though they didn’t kill us or anything. Glad we’re seeing the defense stepping up.
December 16th, 2024 at 4:55 pm
Some of those overthrows on 3rd downs were shocking.
I was the guy suggesting man coverage, which is why I’m not a coach.
I want to hear some praise for Head Coach Todd Bowles!!!
December 16th, 2024 at 4:57 pm
A big win against the Chargers. Will the Bucs have a huge let down against the Cowboys in primetime?
What’s Todd Bowles’ record in primetime games?
December 16th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
And on the flipside, Bucs are one of the best offenses on 3rd down this season, including going 11 for 16 yesterday I think.
December 16th, 2024 at 6:05 pm
Couldn’t believe the chargers didn’t adjust at all. Bucs did the same thing all game stopped them on first and second very well then sent the house on third down. Thankfully their tight end was out Sunday. Bucs are not as bad as the slump they hit and not as good as the win streak. I hope it’s not over the top dramatic all week, as you all saw the chargers are no offensive Juggernaut. Our offense broke their spirits
December 16th, 2024 at 8:50 pm
😰 This Raider team is DREADFUL.
December 16th, 2024 at 9:21 pm
And unless a team is the 1999 Rams
———-
Screw those cheats. Glad St Louis lost their team. 11-points from the ‘great show on turf’? Need the refs to help them win. They’re the 1999 SCAMS.
See what I did there, I removed the R from RAMS and replaced it with SC – which completely changes the meaning of their name. I came up with that all by myself, which is why I consistently win most popular poster award.
December 16th, 2024 at 9:28 pm
BTW the Raiders are morons. Running from shotgun in their own endzone – and of course it ends in a safety. What a poorly coached stupid team. Bucs should have beat them by 50.
December 16th, 2024 at 9:29 pm
Raiders really are trash…. Wow
December 16th, 2024 at 9:48 pm
That Raiders/Falcons game is unwatchable.
December 16th, 2024 at 10:10 pm
Cousins is done..
December 16th, 2024 at 10:26 pm
Hope Ravens get crushed the rest of the season. The cheap, unnecessary hit on CG14 made me almost quit on the Bucs and NFL football. Seen too much of it over the decades.
December 16th, 2024 at 10:26 pm
John Middlekauf was talking a week or so ago about how the Giants were in their own league as absolute worst team in the NFL. After tonight, he needs to add the Raiders to that list. Just pathetic. Unfortunate for us that Falcons have such easy remaining schedule, they have the other absolute trash team next week, the Giants. The Panthers seem to return to form yesterday as the “Porta potty Panthers “.
December 16th, 2024 at 10:27 pm
We’re going to have to win out to win division most likely.
December 16th, 2024 at 10:56 pm
Falcons beat us twice. Raiders took us well into the 4th quarter.
Agree with others, anyone thinking Coach is gonna get an award, or we’re gonna steamroll to the playoffs, have been reading the few posts here who are oblivious to football reality.
This is sad.
December 16th, 2024 at 11:00 pm
Rod, I take it you’re the sole judge for the most popular poster award. Congratulations on nominating yourself and capturing the award, great job.
December 16th, 2024 at 11:08 pm
Vinny – It’s all been verified by the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division and the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors.
December 16th, 2024 at 11:09 pm
The stupid Falcons should be 5-8 right now, maybe even 4-9 if stupid Fox had pylon cameras.
December 16th, 2024 at 11:12 pm
Are you f-ing kidding me with this awful Raiders-Falcons game – now the refs bail out Atlanta yet again? Literally nothing wrong with that hit on Cousins. A bunch of limp wristed fruits ruining the NFL.
December 16th, 2024 at 11:13 pm
You know Joe(s) this constant shadow banning and not allowing even the mist simple, innocuous posts from me had to be one of the most petty things I’ve ever witnessed.
All because I called you out on an issue that numerous other posters did as well.
TASS has more clarity and transparency than this ad site.
December 16th, 2024 at 11:16 pm
Yep, cap’n Kirk gets bailed out by a BS call……that should be review able….atrocious…..Rah doing his best Bowels imitation
December 16th, 2024 at 11:16 pm
agree with Rod Munch, this is the worst game I have ever seen, Falcons are epically bad but not as bad as Raiders
December 16th, 2024 at 11:27 pm
What a stupid awful game, with the Falcons again being gifted a W by the refs. What a bunch of frauds.
December 16th, 2024 at 11:28 pm
My god those were some terrible games.
Ridder sucks so bad. Zero urgency
December 16th, 2024 at 11:30 pm
Atlanta just beat the Raiders and… Wow. How did the Buccaneers lose two games to them? One game against a division rival, OK, but both? Atlanta is not good.
December 16th, 2024 at 11:33 pm
Falcons are very bad unfortunately we have been bad too and may not even win the division unless we win out. Hard to believe, how unfortunate. We have to win every week. Falcons play Giants who are also tanking like the Raiders were tanking. Hope we can do it! Go Bucs.
December 16th, 2024 at 11:35 pm
We lost to Cousins twice and that Raiders team took us to the 4th quarter.
Better not have a repeat of the Cowboys playoff flop. Need to be ready for their 1995 best. When we can come out and dominate a team after a dominant win like yesterday, we have room for confidence. Otherwise, it’s the coin flipping, which team do we see today question.
And that inconsistency has one source.
December 16th, 2024 at 11:49 pm
Tom Brady owns 10% of that garbage Raiders team. Hope he didn’t pay much cause they aren’t worth sht. We all saw that safety coming, shotgun snap inside the endzone to hand off to the running back–made no sense. and it was a nailbiter for the Falcons. It was not watchable.