Bucs Key to the Game: Block It Like It’s Hot
Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were flying high heading into last weekend against the Denver Broncos, and for good reason. The Bo Nix-led Broncos hadn’t won a game yet, and there was a reason they were in a position to draft a quarterback with a top-12 pick in the first place (Spoiler: It was because they were bad). Call it overconfidence, call it bad execution, but whatever the reason, the result was a humiliating 26-7 loss.
Now the Buccaneers job gets even harder as Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles come to town. The Buccaneers might have been humbled last week, but bouncing back isn’t an impossible task. We saw in the playoffs last year that the Eagles aren’t exactly the same team with the same swagger that took them to a Super Bowl two years ago. Injuries or no, this is a winnable game, but the Buccaneers need some things to go their way. Let’s take a look at some keys to a Buccaneers victory.
O-Line Must Buy Time
The Buccaneers offensive line allowed Baker Mayfield to be sacked seven times against the Broncos, and that simply can’t happen again. One issue against the Broncos was that right tackle Luke Goedke couldn’t go due to the effects of a concussion. The good news is, Goedke is expected to be back for this game, and that should help. But they can’t trust him to be a savior. As a unit, the offensive line needs to keep Mayfield up. Jalen Carter is an elite defensive tackle, and will cause a lot of issues and he’s not blocked.
Mayfield also needs to trust his eyes more. He even admitted that he could have done more to help his offensive line.
“Like I said after the game on Sunday, some of those sacks in the second half were definitely on me,” Mayfield said. “I was getting a little bit antsy, not trusting it as much. So, just trusting the timing of my footwork and just delivering the ball and going through the reads true to what they are, and then if I have to make a play, make a play from there or throw it away.”
Stand Tall in the Red Zone
The Buccaneers will need to find a way to control the defensive line of scrimmage, especially in the red zone. Saquon Barkley has had a career resurgence, and he’s probably going to get his yards (his lowest total this season has been 95 yards).
But in the red zone, Tampa will need to try and force Jalen Hurts to throw the ball, especially with Devonta Smith and A.J. Brown being hurt. The best chance for the Bucs to succeed is actually with Hurts passing the ball. Hurts has found success between the 20s, but his passing touchdowns are down, with only three on the season and one in the last two weeks. Holding Philly to field goals by keeping Saquon out of the end zone will lead to plenty of success.
Rachaad White Must Show Up
Bucky Irving is banged up, but even if he ultimately can play, the team still needs to get more out of Rachaad White, who has been able to carry the load. Two weeks ago, Bijan Robinson put up 97 yards against the Eagles defense, and last week Alvin Kamara rushed 26 times for 87 yards. Mike Evans and Cade Otton have both gotten off to slow starts, but if the Eagles have to respect the run game, that also will open up more opportunities for Mayfield and company through the air.
Defenses haven’t had to respect White at all this season, at least from out of the backfield. He’s averaged 2.1 yards per carry through three games, gaining just 66 yards. White has still been a viable receiving target out of the backfield, but it still kills the offense when you get handed the ball and do virtually nothing with it. If Irving can’t play at all, it’s doubly important for White to find his game.
That also may have to start with the offensive line as well. The interior line’s blocking isn’t just useful for keeping Mayfield upright, but also giving lanes for a power runner like White to plow through. If the offensive line can’t do its part, the offense will have issues moving the ball, and it could be a long game. But if Mayfield has time though, and the defense is slowing down the running game, there is no reason that Bucs can’t move to 3-1, and make a statement that last week was just a fluke, not the new norm.
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