Physical! The Buccaneers came to play today, well, not really on special teams, but the defense was flying around in the cold Buffalo wind and the offensive line was winning consistently.
Hell, Baker Mayfield even started running and again and lowering his head.
It did not matter. The Bucs weren’t good enough against a very flawed Buffalo team battling its own injuries.
Buffalo rung up 400-plus yards of offense rather easily. Heck the Bucs owned time of possession.
Did the Bucs beat themselves? It sure feels like it.
Joe’s not sure what to say about the Bucs’ kickoff coverage units. “Horrible” isn’t a strong enough word. Buffalo’s first 5 kick returns went for 220 yards. That’s no typo and, ultimately, that might have been the difference the game.
The sad Bucs special teams get a slight edge over the Bucs’ non-existent edge rush and too-often fails in zone defense.
It was hyped Bills quarterback Josh Allen who looked flat early getting rattled with SirVocea Dennis in his face on the Bills’ opening drive. Allen delivered a ridiculously feeble two-hand throw from the end zone for a Jacob Parrish interception. It was great awareness by Parrish to release from the receiver and pick off the pass. But the Bucs had absolutely nothing in the red zone and only got three points.
The Bucs defense had its share of busts, too many, and they became lethal. It’s a tie for Joe’s least favorites:
First was the Bucs sending a three-man pass rush at Allen in the first half. It turned into a two-man pass rush with Vita Vea dropping in coverage a few seconds after the snap. Allen had all day to throw and found Tyrell Shavers (who?) wide open with YaYa Diaby (you ready that right) and Benjamin Morrison last absent in coverage. In the third quarter, it was Anthony Nelson responsible for James Cook out of the backfield; the TD catch was an easy 25-yard score.
The Bucs hammered away successfully on their rushing attack. Joe’s issue was them not sticking with it enough. Man, Joe would love to have 3rd-and-2 back with 7:30 remaining, a failed short route to Sterling Shepard.
The Bucs’ offensive line had a strong day. Baker Mayfield wasn’t sacked until the final offensive play of the game.
Tremendous kudos to Bucs running back Sean Tucker, who had 19 carries for 106 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.
Tucker also had 2 catches for 34 yards and another TD. The Bucs fed the hot hand and used Tucker more than Rachaad White (51 yards rushing, 11 receiving).
Now the Bucs sit at 6-4 in the dreary NFC South.
The “lull” Lavonte David feared is here. And it sucks.