The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t gotten the results they wanted through five weeks, but one part of the team is giving Todd Bowles a real foundation to build on: the run defense.
At 1-4, Tampa Bay has already lived through a handful of tight losses, and the inconsistency has shown up on both sides of the ball. Still, Bowles has his defense doing what he’s always asked of it, and the message has been clear from the start: stop the run first.
That’s been the Bucs’ calling card under Bowles as a coach and coordinator, and it’s showing up again now. Through five weeks, no opponent has had a runner go over 58 yards against Tampa Bay. Aaron Jones Sr. is one of only two running backs to get to 50 yards or more against the Bucs defense.
The most recent example came in Tampa Bay’s only win so far, against the Dallas Cowboys. Javonte Williams was limited to 45 yards on the ground, and the Cowboys managed just 50 rushing yards as a team.
That kind of control changes the whole feel of a game. When the Bucs stuff the run, Bowles can open things up in the secondary and make offenses play on his terms.
It pushes opponents into obvious passing situations, and that’s exactly what happened with Dak Prescott. He finished 24 of 42 and threw two interceptions against Tampa Bay.
One of those breakups came on a blitz, with pressure coming straight through the middle and forcing a tipped ball into an incompletion.
That sort of usage fits Bowles’ approach. He likes having quick defensive backs involved in certain pressure looks, and the Bucs’ ability to play near the line of scrimmage helps make that possible.
As Tampa Bay tries to put its season back together and string wins together, keeping Scott and the rest of the secondary locked in against the run will matter even more.
Next up is a Sunday afternoon matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have started to find their rhythm throwing the ball. Aaron Rodgers has thrown nine touchdown passes over his last three games, and Pittsburgh is in the mix for the AFC North lead.
A win over the Steelers would move the Buccaneers right back into the NFC South conversation, with the Carolina Panthers sitting atop the division at 2-2.
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