Breaking Down the Bucs’ Snap Counts in Loss to Saints: Missed Chances, Missed Assignments
The Bucs’ 24-20 loss to the Saints wasn’t just about the scoreboard-it was about missed opportunities, both on the field and in how the team deployed its personnel. From weather-influenced game plans to in-game injuries, Tampa Bay’s snap counts tell a deeper story of a team still searching for rhythm in all three phases.
Let’s dig into how the snaps shook out on both sides of the ball-and what they reveal about the Bucs’ performance in a game they let slip away.
Offense: Pony Package Returns, But Execution Falls Flat
With rain soaking the field, Tampa Bay leaned into a heavier dose of the Pony package-putting two running backs on the field at the same time. Fans have been calling for it, and the Bucs finally answered. But while the concept made sense given the conditions, the execution left plenty to be desired.
Both Rachaad White and Bucky Irving played 49% of the offensive snaps. That’s a slight dip for Irving compared to last week, and it’s worth noting he tweaked his ankle in the first half, which may have limited his availability. White, on the other hand, saw an 11% uptick and handled most of the third-down duties, as expected.
Sean Tucker made the most of his limited action, logging just 16% of the snaps but playing a key role in one of the team’s best drives of the day. That drive, featuring a steady dose of White and Tucker on the ground, ended with a Tucker touchdown.
Strangely, the Bucs never went back to that formula. In a game where conditions begged for a ground-heavy approach, abandoning what worked was a head-scratcher.
Up front, the offensive line shuffled even before kickoff. With Tristan Wirfs sidelined, undrafted rookie Ben Chukwuma stepped in at left tackle and played every snap.
That’s a tall task for a rookie in bad weather-and against a Saints front that knows how to bring pressure. Then things got even more complicated when Ben Bredeson exited in the first half with a knee injury.
He logged 43% of the snaps before Michael Jordan took over and played the remaining 57%.
At wide receiver, Emeka Egbuka (88%) and Chris Godwin Jr. (69%) remained fixtures in the offense, but it was Sterling Shepard who saw the biggest jump in playing time. Shepard went from 26% last week to 57% on Sunday, though he only recorded a five-yard catch. Still, the increased usage suggests the coaching staff is looking for answers in the passing game.
Tez Johnson saw his snap count dip to 46%, while tight end Cade Otton-normally a near-every-snap player-was on the field for just 81% of the snaps, his lowest mark of the season. That drop was likely tied to the team’s emphasis on the Pony package and using backs like White and Irving as receiving options.
But the trade-off didn’t pay off. Otton hasn’t been a major factor in the passing game lately, but his reduced presence didn’t spark any new production either.
Defense: Injuries Force Adjustments, But Execution Lags Behind
Injuries once again played a role on the defensive side. Tykee Smith left the game with a stinger, while Haason Reddick dealt with an ankle issue. Both returned, but their snap counts were limited-Smith played 53%, Reddick just 36%.
Christian Izien stepped in for Smith and logged his highest snap total of the season, playing 47%. He held his own, but the secondary as a whole struggled to close out plays when it mattered.
Among the outside linebackers, Yaya Diaby led the group with 83% of the snaps, followed by Anthony Nelson (50%) and Chris Braswell (31%). Braswell didn’t see a huge bump despite Reddick’s absence, but he made his presence felt with his first sack of the season-a bright spot on an otherwise frustrating day.
The defensive tackle rotation also shifted. What’s usually a near-even split between Logan Hall and Elijah Roberts turned into a more lopsided distribution.
Hall led the group with 78% of the snaps, while Roberts dropped to 55%. Vita Vea was right behind at 71%, and Greg Gaines chipped in with 29%-and a sack.
At inside linebacker, SirVocea Dennis suffered a leg injury on a non-contact play-concerning on any field, but especially on the rough surface at Raymond James Stadium. He finished with 71% of the snaps, well below his usual workload. Deion Jones filled in for the remaining 29%, and while he had a chance to be the hero late in the game, it slipped through his hands-literally.
With under two minutes left, the Bucs needed a third-down stop to give the offense one last shot. The Saints gambled, throwing the ball instead of running out the clock.
The pass was tipped, popped into the air, and Jones had a golden opportunity for a game-changing interception. He got his hands on it-but couldn’t haul it in.
Had he secured it, the Bucs would’ve taken over near midfield. Instead, they were pinned back at their own 20.
Four plays later, the game was over.
Final Thoughts: A Game of What-Ifs
This wasn’t just a loss-it was a missed opportunity on multiple fronts. The Bucs had chances to control the game on the ground, but abandoned what worked.
Injuries forced shuffling on both sides of the ball, but even healthy players failed to execute in key moments. The snap counts tell the story of a team still trying to find the right combinations-and still falling short when it matters most.
As the season wears on, the margin for error continues to shrink. If Tampa Bay wants to turn things around, it’s going to take more than clever personnel packages. It’s going to take execution-and a whole lot fewer missed chances.