Bucs linebacker Lavonte David tackles 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey during last season's game in Tampa. While the Bucs kept him out of the end zone that game, he still caught six passes and averaged 11.3 yards per reception.
TAMPA — Lavonte David had the football in his arms, having made the interception that would set up the game-winning field goal. The Bucs survived in Seattle with a 38-35 win. But their pass defense left little to celebrate.
“I hate to be in these types of games, but we’re on the winning side,” David said at the time. “Bless the Lord for that. We’re definitely going to learn from this. There were a lot of things we put on tape that we’ve got to get better at.”
The Bucs allowed Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold to shred them for 341 passing yards and four touchdowns.
More specifically, David and fellow inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis have struggled in coverage.
According to Pro Football Focus, Dennis’ grade against the pass is 27.4 or dead last in the league among inside linebackers. David’s grade is a little higher at 48.3.
What makes Sunday’s game so challenging is that 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is among the most explosive players in the pass game out of the backfield.
San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey had 82 yards receiving, including a touchdown, in the 49ers' last game, a 26-23 overtime win over the Rams.
McCaffrey’s 39 receptions for 387 yards not only leads the 49ers, his 9.9-yard average leads all running backs. Seventeen of his receptions have gone for first downs.
“The challenge is everywhere,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said. “The biggest thing is the (yards after catch) yards. You don’t mind (McCaffrey) catching check-downs, but he’s so good with it after the catch that we’ve got to rally to the ball. We’ve got to get people around him.”
As a team, the Bucs rank 20th in the NFL for passing defense, allowing an average of 218.4 passing yards per game. They also have allowed 10 passing touchdowns.
“We play a lot of zone,” said Larry Foote, the Bucs’ inside linebackers coach and run game coordinator. “We have a game plan, but you want (those) guys to have a natural feel, instincts to take over. You have to read the quarterback, you have to anticipate, you have to study stacks and bunches and how they are trying to attack us, but you have to have feel. You have to have a feel for underneath coverage, to read the quarterbacks.”
Bucs linebacker Sirvocea Dennis attempts to bring down Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor before he gets off a pass during a Week 3 victory.
Foote, who coached inside linebackers a year ago, is the first to admit the pass coverage hasn’t been good. But he insists the anticipation among David and Dennis is getting better.
“It ebbs and flows right now,” Foote said. “Last week (in Seattle) did not show it. It is tough, especially reading the quarterback and when that ball comes out, you have to transition from the quarterback to wide receiver. My wife is critical all the time. ...
“At the end of the day, it is anticipation and just growing and learning how to play.”
In 10 career games against the Bucs, McCaffrey has 590 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 144 carries. He also has produced 399 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns on 44 receptions.
“He is definitely a weapon, and he gives them high volume,” Foote said. “They throw him the ball and that is going to be a big challenge. It is going to take a collective group to slow him down. He understands route-running — he was there last year. He understands how to get open. He is a challenge for linebackers, and it is not easy.”
What’s the rush?
Bucs linebacker Haason Reddick, left, and Yaya Diaby have produced two of the team's nine sacks this season.
Five games into the 2025 season, the Bucs have only nine sacks, tied for 19th in the NFL.
Outside linebackers Haason Reddick and Yaya Diaby have one each.
“Sometimes that pass rusher can get frustrated when that ball is coming out fast; you cannot control that,” Foote said. “Every snap, when that ball is snapped, you need to think the quarterback is going to hold it for three seconds and you are going to be able to get to him. That is my challenge: I need more activity.
“They are doing a lot of good things, but I need more activity. Do not worry about the sack numbers and when the ball is being thrown. Each snap, think about you are going to have an opportunity to get the quarterback, and do not let the short, quick game frustrate you.”
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