The Offense may be getting in rhythm
Over the last 2 weeks, the BUCS offense has looked solid.
They’ve scored at least 31 points. They’ve been relatively efficient and balanced having scored 4 rushing TDs and 6 passing TDs.
Against Vegas, it looked shaky to start. A 3-and-out on the first drive is still reason to be cautionary with this offense since it’s had a tendency to stall. Three games have started out that way.
But, after that initial drive, the offense looked like a winning offense scoring touchdowns on consecutive drives multiple times.
Plus, the Offense didn’t punt or turn the ball over on consecutive drives. That’s the mark of truly scary offense.
That’s also something the Team hadn’t done this season.
Another turnover free game
Bucs as a team have committed only two turnovers in last five games, matching the fewest in any five-game stretch in team history (2013). Last year, fewest turnovers they had in any five-game stretch was six, and the year before, fewest was five.October 26, 2020
It simply cannot be overstated just how much not turning the ball over means to the Team.
Not expecting multiple turnovers is a relief most good teams never even have to think about. It’s an absurd notion to most teams.
And we’re seeing the effects of it in Tampa.
The boost it gives the Defense in knowing their good efforts won’t be squandered must be a breath of fresh air. Equally important, the opposing defenses aren’t relying on the turnovers as part of their strategy. Teams used to fully expect multiple opportunities for what could only be labeled as true “giveaways” because they were so often so blatant.
The turnover margin through 7 games this year compared to last year is remarkable. And it’s no coincidence the record has improved.
Through seven games last season, #Bucs turnover margin per game average was -.7. https://t.co/RJTL4Tq7yYOctober 26, 2020
More OpTions = More Miller
There’s no doubt about it. Scotty Miller benefits the most from having other receiving threats on the field..
And it’s great.
Against the Raiders with Evans, even though he wasn’t 100% again, a resurging Gronkowski, a returning Chris Godwin and an impressive rookie in Tyler Johnson in play, Miller had a career day. He got his first 100 yard game in his short career.
A couple weeks ago, I pointed out how Scotty Miller was the beneficiary of Godwin's presence on the field.
He draws the 3rd or 4th CB when Godwin is around...https://t.co/9eMSZoNbpG
Today w/Godwin
9 Targets
6 Catches
109 Yards#PayAttention #GoBucs #TBvsLVOctober 25, 2020
Watch how the safety’s attention is held by Godwin crossing with Miller
Here, it’s Justin Watson that draws the safety’s attention leaving Miller with the 1-on-1
The Raiders were spread thin.
Simply not enough to cover all the targets available.
And Miller wins his 1-on-1 once again.
Even on the incompletions, Miller was able to threaten the Raiders deep. And they couldn’t adjust to it all.
They still had to account for Evans and others. It was a hard decision to make as they were physically outmatched everywhere.
They were left to hope for an overthrow or a drop.
Safety couldn’t help but try to assist the CB that wasn’t big enough to cover Evans long.
Godwin beats his man quickly and that, once again, draws the safety’s eyes and attention to him leaving Miller headed upfield.
Due to all the attention the other bigger receiving targets got, Miller was basically having a field day. He just burned whoever was covering him. None of that speed would matter if he didn’t have reliable hands and good effort. And he showed both all day.
His QB ended six of the nine targets in his direction. And also a 145.1 QB rating when targeting Miller.
A job well done.
Sean Murphy-Bunting Watch
The past few weeks, I’ve been looking at the progression of Murphy-Bunting. I was trying to assess whether or not had lost a step or if his play had suffered due to an injury.
Murphy-Bunting didn’t allow any TDs in Vegas. He also didn’t have any glaring miscommunications issues in Las Vegas. However, he did continue to allow his receiver to catch damn near everything.
Again, this week he allowed at least 80% of passes in his direction to be completed. Carr was 5/5 when targeting receivers covered by Murphy-Bunting. SMB allowed 72 yards on those 5 catches.
Something to continue monitoring.
But DO NOT write off SMB as some kind of liability.
The run Defense without Vea
I had some concerns about the Defensive line and the overall effectiveness having lost Vita Vea. Those concerns were temporarily quelled by the performance against the Raiders.
The Raiders had entered the game with a highly touted run game behind the efforts of Josh Jacobs. It was definitely set to be a formidable challenge.
The Defense shut him down.
The Raiders were held to 76 yards rushing. Just the 2nd time they’ve been held to under 100 yards rushing all season.
New addition, Steve McClendeon contributed with 5 Tackles including 1 TFL to make his presence known and bolster the loss of Vea. The entire front seven play well in stopping the run.
Forgetting the impact of Vea week in and week out may be impossible. But Week 7 was a good start to showing the Team may be able survive without his presence.