Third-Down Defense Has Chance To Dominate
October 26th, 2025
Lavonte David and the Bucs’ third-down defense could be spectacular today.
Not lost on Joe, but Joe is confident it has been lost on others, that the Bucs’ third-down defense is steadily improving, and doing so against good teams.
Three weeks ago playing at Seattle, the Seahawks converted 66 percent of their third downs (6 of 9).
Two weeks ago facing the 49ers and Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco converted 44 percent of their third downs (7 of 16).
Last week at Detroit, the Bucs held the mighty Lions to just 23 percent conversion percentage on third downs (3 of 13).
That’s some pretty good steps forward for the Bucs’ third-down defense each week against strong offenses. Well, armed with that knowledge, could the Bucs perhaps pitch a shutout on third downs today against the slimy Saints?
Not only are the slimy Saints a bad team (that just rolls off Joe’s tongue) but Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis points out the slimy Saints are downright trash on third downs to begin with.
The Saints have converted a league-worst 1 of 29 third downs (3.4%), needing 8 or more yards.
If the Bucs can contain McCaffrey and company and then the next week shut down maybe the best offense in football, what can the Bucs’ third-down defense do to the worst third-down offense in the league?