Luke Goedeke’s work in the run game got the kind of spotlight offensive linemen usually have to wait for. After Tampa Bay’s 16-0 win over Atlanta, the veteran right tackle landed on Pro Football Focus’ NFL Team of the Week, a nod that came on the heels of one of the most overpowering rushing outings in Buccaneers history.
The Bucs piled up a franchise-record 324 rushing yards on 56 carries and did it without completing a single pass. Baker Mayfield threw only three passes in the divisional matchup, which left Tampa Bay leaning hard on its front to open lanes and keep the offense moving. Goedeke answered with one of his strongest performances of the season.
His 88.4 overall grade was the best among right tackles in Week 8. He also posted a 90.3 run-blocking grade, tops at the position, and his 94.0 mark on zone runs led all qualifying tackles. Across 53 run-blocking snaps, he kept clearing space for Tampa Bay’s backs to get downhill and attack.
That ground production was spread across a pair of huge individual efforts. Bucky Irving ran for 170 yards on 27 carries, while Kenneth Gainwell added 140 yards on 25 attempts. Together, they accounted for 310 rushing yards and repeatedly turned solid blocking into explosive gains, forcing missed tackles along the way.
Goedeke wasn’t doing it alone. Tristan Wirfs also played a major role up front, finishing with an 85.9 run-blocking grade. But Goedeke’s ability to handle Tampa Bay’s zone concepts stood out all afternoon, and the recognition underscores how central the offensive line has become to the Buccaneers’ identity.
When Tampa Bay wants to control a game on the ground, it starts with tackles winning their matchups. This one was a clear example of why the Buccaneers have made keeping that group intact such a priority.
In Other News...
Alex Anzalone Is Becoming A Much Bigger Deal For This Bucs Defense
Alex Anzalones rise has become one of the more notable developments for Tampa Bays defense, and Week 8 only sharpened that picture. The inside linebacker was recognized as the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after a standout outing that included two interceptions, six combined tackles, a tackle for loss and two passes defensed, a performance that fit right into a Buccaneers defense that led the league in takeaways and interceptions during the week.
Anzalones three interceptions on the season have him tied for second in the NFL, a strong marker for a player who has steadily become more central to what Tampa Bay is doing on that side of the ball. The honor also carries some added weight for the Buccaneers, since it is the first weekly award of his career and the first time a Tampa Bay player has earned the distinction this season. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Defense Just Earned National Praise After Shutting Down Atlanta
The Buccaneers defense got a little national shine this week after its shutout of Atlanta landed two of its standouts on Pro Football Focus NFL Team of the Week. In Tampa Bays 16-0 win in Week 8, linebacker Alex Anzalone and cornerback Jacob Parrish were both recognized for the kind of disruptive, mistake-free football that can swing a game before the offense ever finds its rhythm.
Anzalone was especially active, piling up seven tackles and a pair of interceptions while grading out well in coverage, a notable milestone for a player who has spent plenty of time around the football but not always finished the play. Parrish also made his mark with seven tackles, an interception and two passes defended, helping the Buccaneers force four turnovers and turn a division game into one of their cleanest defensive outings of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Doug Williams Just Put A Buccaneers Legacy Debate Back In Focus
Doug Williams latest Hall of Fame nod has a way of pulling the Buccaneers back into one of the franchises most enduring legacy conversations. The first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl has been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fames 2027 class, putting his name alongside other notable contributors such as Robert Kraft, Virginia McCaskey, Ralph Hay and John Wooten. For Tampa Bay fans, it is another reminder of how much of the leagues history still runs through Williams trailblazing career.
The nomination also arrives at a time when the Buccaneers are juggling more immediate football matters, with linebacker Alex Anzalone earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors and receiver Emeka Egbuka plus outside linebacker Yaya Diaby working back from injuries. Still, Williams case has a different kind of weight because it speaks to the broader story of the game, not just the week-to-week grind. The next step in that Hall of Fame process will determine how far this latest push goes, and for now it keeps a familiar Buccaneers figure in the center of a debate that has never really gone away. [Read more 🡒]