Bucs Running Backs Did Better Than Expected (No, Really)
June 23rd, 2026
RB Bucky Irving.
No, Joe isn’t talking about dumb EPA.
Joe learned in high school that numbers can be twisted any which way to prove a point. So whenever Joe hears the statgeeks rattle off a stat named “expected” or “adjusted,” Joe’s brain immediately switches off.
Now if you watched each Bucs game, you likely thought the Bucs were rank when it came to running the ball last season. But it may not be that bad.
Per stathead Ian Hartitz, the Bucs “ranked” 11th in the NFL. Granted, Hartitz used an average of handpicked stats (see Joe’s previous paragraph on twisting numbers). But what Hartitz did unearth is how opposing defenses viewed targeting Bucs running backs attack in the pass game.
An example of this was in Week 4 against Philadelphia, a good defense, Bucky Irving was wide ass open on his 72-yard catch-and-run down the left sideline.
Joe is surprised the Bucs ranked No. 18 in the league in yards before contact. As awful as the Bucs’ backup guard play was, and the number of games without tackles Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke, being almost middle of the pack in the NFL is surprisingly good.
Or at least better than expected.