Bucs Defense Still Effective
December 11th, 2020
Warming up?
Though the Bucs defense had a couple of really bad starts in the month of November, one dude paid to cover the league by the league’s house organ believes the Bucs defense is still one to be respected if not feared.
Nick Shook of NFL.com believes the Bucs are the No. 8 defense in the NFL.
The Buccaneers still need to figure out how to keep opponents out of the end zone (19th in red-zone percentage) and limit their effectiveness through the air (22nd in passing yards per game), but the yardage totals tell us what we see on film: You might get lucky a few times a game against the Bucs, but they’re going to make things difficult for the majority of the contest.
The Buccaneers rank first in rushing yards allowed per game, seventh in total yards per game and interception rate, and sixth in sacks per game. We shouldn’t be surprised by the latter when considering this is a defense that trots out both Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul, and the former is again dominating off the edge. Barrett is tied for second in total disruptions with 53, and trails only Garrett in turnovers caused by pressure with six. He’s also third in the league in total QB pressures (47) and can only improve in finishing the play, as evidenced by his six sacks that come one year after he led the league in that category with 19.5.
Tampa Bay’s D isn’t perfect, but it’s a stingy unit. Pairing that with the potential of Tom Brady’s offense, the Buccaneers make for a scrappy bunch.
Well, what the Bucs need to do on defense is to quit crafting lousy gameplans. And if the opposing offense is lighting them up early, do not wait until halftime to adjust.
The Rams and the Chiefs scaled the Bucs early and despite the Bucs pulling back to within a field goal against each team, too much damage had already been done.
The way NFL sack king Shaq Barrett is starting to heat up (three sacks and five quarterback hits in the past four games), he couldn’t pick a better time than the push for the playoffs.
Joe doesn’t think more heat on the quarterback is a bad thing. And that may be what helps out what has become a leaky secondary.
December 11th, 2020 at 8:25 am
@Joe … “Well, what the Bucs need to do on defense is to quit crafting lousy gameplans. And if the opposing offense is lighting them up early, do not wait until halftime to adjust.”
Yup, it’s all the defense’s fault Joe for screwing the pooch early in games. And especially in these last 3 losses. Boo defense.
Oh wait, you say that our offense had 7 drives in the 1st half of the Saints’ loss and came away with ZERO points? With 4 punts, 2 INTs & 1 out-on-downs? Nah, couldn’t be.
And you say that our offense muddled through the 2nd half of the Rams’ game, scoring 10 pts but needing 2 takeaways by our defense to make that happen, then coughing up another giveaway late in the game to seal the deal … for the Rams? Nah, couldn’t be.
Surely we’d fix those problems against the Chiefs, wouldn’t we? Apparently not … Punt, Punt, Punt, Punt on the first 4 Bucs’ drives, but then we did manage to score a TD halfway through the 2nd qtr … AFTER our defense forced a fumble to give our offense the ball back.
Call it like it is Joe. Our offense hung our defense out to dry in those 3 losses. Could our defense have played better? Of course. But it’s hard to overcome slow starts & excessive giveaways by the offense. ‘Fix’ the Bucs’ offense and I’ll bet our defensive stats will improve considerably. (I know, off to the cooler).
December 11th, 2020 at 8:26 am
We may be sixth in sacks but it doesn’t feel like it. Ask the Rams QB about that. We may get a few sacks a game but not consistent pressure and certainly not early enough in a game to rattle the QB.
December 11th, 2020 at 8:27 am
Waiting for them to become affective!
Turnovers!
One game at a time!
Win one game at a time!
Super Bowl!
December 11th, 2020 at 8:40 am
How about game planning before the game and not having to make major adjustments at half time. Bowles has been pretty good at adjusting on D but against good times that means we fall behind early. On the other side of the ball, it seems like opposing Ds are well prepared for Brady and Co. out of the gate. Of late, the Bucs offense has trouble getting rolling on its first few drives. Again, this puts us behind when playing good teams. Hopefully, things will turn around this Sunday. We need a convincing win against the Vikings to boost morale of both players and fans.
December 11th, 2020 at 8:53 am
There is quite a stench coming from Buc Place. Its hard to believe the Bucs are 6th in sacks
December 11th, 2020 at 9:37 am
Forget stats. The only stat that matters is wins and losses.
What the Defense needs to do is stop missing tackles, and be in the position you’re supposed to be in based on the design of the Defense. When someone sees an obvious mismatch when the play lines up, someone on the Defense needs to make an adjustment. Shaq needs to stay onside. Blitz more. Hit the WRs harder. Hit the QB more.
December 11th, 2020 at 10:01 am
Superbowl??????? YES it can happen. IF and thats a big IF BA stays in the locker room with a big bag of cool ranch Doritos and a diet Coke and put blinders on Todd B. Last but not least, hi-jack BL’s GPS and send him to Jacksonville. YEAH it can happen
December 11th, 2020 at 12:51 pm
Allowing the opposing team to build a two touchdown lead in the past two games is on the defense. Todd needs to pressure the QB quicker. The defense looked tired and sloppy. This can not happen in the last 4 games. With all proven talent on this team, it is ludacruse to imagine not winning more. Also, if Brian can’t call good plays, BENCH HIM and let Brady call the game. Tom knows what he wants ti do, let him do it. We will win more often. Put the ball in Brady’s hand. It can’t get any worse.
December 11th, 2020 at 3:25 pm
The two Methuselahs, BAzz and TB, lost 3 out of the 5 losses. Hopefully, they got their 2 heads on straight with this 2 week break.
December 11th, 2020 at 4:44 pm
Defense Rules:
A+
December 11th, 2020 at 11:16 pm
They better get off quickly and often against Cousins. he can scramble and hit receivers on the run. Hope our D line and linebackers are up to the task. Cousins gets past them into our secondary and he is going to feast.