Run To Win?
February 3rd, 2021
Playoff Lenny.
There is no question Pat Mahomes is lethal with the ball in his hands. So maybe the simplest way to resolve that issue is to make sure he doesn’t have the ball?
That seems to be what Terrell Davis and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network are saying — Jeremiah especially so.
It shouldn’t shock someone that a Hall of Fame running back like Davis would want to run the ball. He thinks the Bucs have the manpower to control the game that way.
“I think the Bucs believe that they have to establish that running game in order for this offense to at least have a counterpunch,” Davis said. “And what I have seen in the playoffs is that they are running the ball extremely well.
“And I think they are going to need every single asset they can get in a game like that. So I certainly think the running game will be important for their success.”
Jeremiah came right out and said if the Bucs can’t run, they face a steep uphill climb.
“I think being able to shorten the game with Kansas City will be big and I think Leonard Fournette helps get that accomplished,” Jeremiah said.
Jeremiah also added the Bucs ought to use Playoff Lenny sort of like the army would use artillery. Have Playoff Lenny soften up the middle and then use Ronald Jones’ speed to spring a big gain.
“They’ve got to find a way to shorten” the game,” Jeremiah added.
With the way the offensive line has been balling out in the playoffs, perhaps that is the smart way to go?
You can see the full segment in the NFL Network video below.
“The run game will be important to their success.” – @Terrell_Davis
Will the @Buccaneers be able to succeed on the ground in #SBLV?
📺: #SBLive on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/4VKWc9bMoe
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 1, 2021
February 3rd, 2021 at 12:22 am
If the forecast is correct and we have a wet rainy game, ground and pound may well be the gameplan.
February 3rd, 2021 at 12:25 am
Although, that diving catch and resulting slide in the mud IS a beautiful thing to behold!
February 3rd, 2021 at 12:56 am
Bucs need to just play their game. Dance with the one that brung you as they say down this way. There’s such a thing as giving them too much respect. Smack them in the mouth and impose your will.
February 3rd, 2021 at 1:47 am
Bring back Alstott!
February 3rd, 2021 at 2:37 am
I’m bettin they have a Vita Vea at Fullback play up their sleeve this Sunday.
February 3rd, 2021 at 4:41 am
Vaughn turf !
February 3rd, 2021 at 4:55 am
What Kentucky buc said 💪🏾💪🏾 Hope their mindsets are like his…. 33-17 Chiefs 🤦🏾♂️💁🏾♂️ GoBUCS
February 3rd, 2021 at 5:59 am
It doesn’t matter to me HOW the Bucs win, as long as they do.
February 3rd, 2021 at 6:11 am
This talk of a running game has no business in today’s NFL.
Sorry, my sarcasm key was stuck!
February 3rd, 2021 at 6:21 am
I get this strategy but I hate this implication as if the Bucs are some “little engine that could” and don’t have the manpower to engage in a shootout. It’s such a weak, feeble, subservient mentality to be all like: ohhhhhh nooo we need to shorten the game or daddy Mahomes will spank us. We have Tom F’n Brady, AB, Godwin, Evans and so on and so forth. They got guns, well we got guns too. This being all petrified business by some people, I hate that shi. It’s time to flex some muscle on Sunday and shut everyone the f up once and for all
February 3rd, 2021 at 6:26 am
Control the clock, no penalties, td’s in the red zone. I want to see Mahomes frustrated standing on the sideline.
February 3rd, 2021 at 6:39 am
“They’ve got to find a way to shorten” the game,” Jeremiah added.
Interesting way to say that the Bucs need to control the game. Which is exactly what the Chiefs did to us last time … They owned the TOP 36:47 to 23:13 . Put another way: Chiefs had 79 plays to our 59 plays.
And yet, we both had the same number of drives (11) and we both punted 4 times. We had 2 turnovers; Chiefs had 1 turnover (although significant, that’s not a huge difference). We scored on 4 drives (3 TDs & 1 FG); Chiefs scored on 5 drives (3 TDs & 2 FGs). We went 4-for-10 on 3rd/4th down conversions; Chiefs went 6-for-12 (still not a huge difference). Bucs ran on 13 plays (23.6% run-pass ratio); Chiefs ran on 20 plays (27.8% run-pass ratio) … still not a significant difference. Even the penalties weren’t that much different (Bucs had 8; Chiefs had 10).
What was the big difference in why they owned the TOP? Looks to me like it was the difference in long drives. Bucs had FOUR drives of 7 plays or more, and 2 of those came on our last 2 TD drives in the game. Chiefs had SEVEN drives of 7 plays or more, and the last 1 of those (8 plays) ate up the last 4 mins of the game & sealed the win for the Chiefs.
I see 2 keys for a Bucs’ Super Bowl win. First, the Bucs’ offense has to do a better job of controlling the game & keeping Mahomes & the Chiefs offense on the bench … 59 plays in 60 mins won’t cut it. And yes, a more BALANCED ATTACK could help us better control the game. Second, the Bucs’ defense has to do a better job of shutting down those long Chiefs drives, limit the Chiefs scoring & hopefully get a couple of turnovers in the process. IOW they need to get off the field faster. If we can do that, I still think the Bucs will win 35-27. We got this.
February 3rd, 2021 at 7:34 am
I think I can speak for all of us that we would like to see mahomie looking a lot like Rogers on the sideline. Beat up and frustrated. To win this game I believe we have to put so much pressure on mahomie that he just breaks and has the worst game ever since entering the league. Can we please do this Bucs please lol
February 3rd, 2021 at 8:21 am
@ #1bucsfan
LOL
I think we can all agree that the best place for mahomie is on his a$$, either on the turf or on the sideline!
February 3rd, 2021 at 8:27 am
So what we’re saying is go against the 30 points per game PO run and completely change the O to keep KC off the field. Name me one game this year where that worked? Davis has been anti Bucs all through PO’s, he may as well be Steve Smith’s big brother and last I checked Jeremiah isn’t on the sidelines with a headset. Bucs have one if.not the most potent O’s in the league, why neuter them? Let the D step up and slow down Mahomes & Co but don’t change a thing. Isn’t throwing the ball how Bucs got back in game week 12 against KC?
February 3rd, 2021 at 9:20 am
If it comes down to line dominance, I like the Buc’s chances.
If it comes down to a shootout a positive Buc outcome is iffy.
The last game with KC is important from a standpoint of who they are and how the KC tools are used. The early Biuc D game plan was terrible. I doubt we’ll see it again.
The focus should be on kicking ass at the LoS. The rest will take care of itself.
I’d like to see the Bucs roll up 135-150 yds. on the ground. That, and 65-70 plays on offense, should be a win.
February 3rd, 2021 at 9:24 am
@Listnfrmafar: Nobody said neuter the O.
If you can dominate the LoS, it makes the play-action game, Brady’s bread and butter, that much more potent.
Long, sustained drives and eating clock makes the opponent more one-dimensional, both tactically and execution.
No style points are awarded in the SB. Win no matter how is the name of the game.
February 3rd, 2021 at 9:41 am
In the only real loss KC had this year, the Raiders rushed for around 150 yards. Let’s repeat that performance with Playoff Lenny and RoJo.
February 3rd, 2021 at 10:13 am
KC’s defense is ranked 21st vs run, and 14th vs pass
Reasons to run often:
#1 – 21st vs run, obviously
#2 – Sets up play action, TB’s bread and butter, as Cobra mentioned
#3 – Keeps Mahomes on the bench
Yes, the Bucs can possibly keep up with KC in a shootout, but when you can take advantage of an opponent’s weakness, you do it of course.
February 3rd, 2021 at 10:39 am
Rob in Land O Lakes, you are correct 144 on the ground but what you failed to mention is Carr threw for 347 & 2 TD
Week 12 Mahomes went 37/50 456 and Brady went 27/41 417. He had to to get game close. I get that Leonard & Rojo maybe motivated but I doubt the NO game plan will work against KC they don’t need excessive to score. Mahomes is not an injured Brees where Bucs DB’S can sit in soft zone and play the underneath pass. Rapone tried that in week 12 putting Davis one on one with Hill, how did that work out? Out score them and let D do what it has so far in PO’s. This game will be more like Washington and 1st half of GB. If Bucs run and fail in red zone and get 3 versus 7 not going to be good. Proactive versus reactive. I guess I know as much as the rest of you, which we will see Sunday.