After three straight losses, the Bucs finally got back in the win column with a gritty 20-17 victory over the Cardinals at home. And while the scoreboard tells one story, the snap counts tell another - a deeper look into how Tampa Bay managed its personnel, leaned on returning playmakers, and made subtle but important tweaks on both sides of the ball to get the job done.
Let’s break down who saw the field the most (and who didn’t) in this much-needed win.
Offense: Bucky Irving Returns, and the Bucs Run With It
Welcome back, Bucky Irving.
Playing his first game since Week 4, the rookie running back didn’t just ease back into the offense - he took it over. Irving logged 52% of the offensive snaps and handled 17 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown.
That may not sound like a full workload, but make no mistake: he was the engine of the Bucs’ run game. The next closest in carries?
Baker Mayfield, who scrambled six times. Rachaad White and Sean Tucker combined for just four carries total.
Tucker, in particular, saw his role shrink to just 15% of the snaps - a clear sign that when Irving is healthy, he’s the guy. White, meanwhile, shifted into more of a third-down role, but even that saw a dip. He was on the field for only 38% of the plays, his lowest snap share since the early weeks of the season and down 22% from just a week ago.
The Bucs didn’t just get a boost in the backfield - they also expanded Chris Godwin Jr.’s role in a big way. After being on a limited pitch count in previous weeks, Godwin saw his snap share jump from 36% to 66%, and he made it count.
He led the team in receiving with three catches for 78 yards, including a couple of chain-moving grabs that helped keep the offense on schedule. His increased presence meant a slight dip for Emeka Egbuka (down just 5%), but it was Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard who saw the biggest reductions as Godwin took on a larger role.
With Mayfield nursing a shoulder injury and the Bucs looking to establish the run, Tampa Bay leaned heavily into 12 personnel - two tight end sets - to provide added protection and blocking support. Payne Durham saw the biggest bump, jumping from 16% of the snaps last week to 43% on Sunday. That’s a significant uptick, and it reflects the team’s commitment to a more physical, run-first approach with Irving back in the mix.
And then there was the trick play of the day: backup tackle Charlie Heck checked in for a single snap as an extra lineman on the goal line - and it wasn’t just to block. That formation made star left tackle Tristan Wirfs an eligible receiver, and Mayfield found him in the end zone for the first touchdown catch of his NFL career. A big-man touchdown is always a crowd-pleaser, and this one gave the Bucs a much-needed jolt.
Defense: Reddick Returns, Dean Dominates, and Hall Steps Up
On the defensive side, the Bucs wasted no time reintegrating Haason Reddick into the rotation. After missing several weeks, Reddick was back in a big way, playing 77% of the snaps - even more than Yaya Diaby, who logged 70%. That shift pushed Anthony Nelson’s role back down to just 30%, as Tampa Bay leaned on its top edge rushers to generate pressure and set the edge.
Inside, Vita Vea’s snap count continued to trend downward. He played just 59% of the snaps, his second-lowest mark of the season.
Whether it’s about managing his workload or keeping him fresh for a potential playoff push, the Bucs are clearly being strategic with their big man in the middle. In his place, Logan Hall and Elijah Roberts both saw 57% of the snaps, and Hall made the most of his reps - forcing a fumble and continuing a recent trend of increased playing time and impact.
In the secondary, Jamel Dean was everywhere. With Benjamin Morrison sidelined, Dean was on the field for 95% of the defensive snaps and made a game-changing play in the first half, tipping a pass that led to an Antoine Winfield Jr. interception. With no real backup option available, Dean was essentially a full-time fixture - and he delivered.
At linebacker, SirVocea Dennis had a rare dip in usage, missing 5% of the snaps as Deion Jones rotated in briefly. Safety Tykee Smith also missed a single play, with Christian Izien stepping in momentarily before Smith returned to finish the game.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t a perfect game from the Bucs, but it was a gritty, calculated win - the kind that shows how much player usage and game planning matter. Getting key players like Bucky Irving, Haason Reddick, Jamel Dean, and Chris Godwin Jr. back on the field - and using them wisely - made all the difference.
The Bucs didn’t just snap a losing streak; they showed signs of a team that’s starting to find its identity again. And with the NFC playoff picture still wide open, this could be the kind of game that turns a season around.