The Bucs got boat raced for the second time in as many weeks coming off of a bye week. From the first snap of the game to the last, they were outclassed by the class of the NFC. In an effort that will lead to more questions than answers, most won’t think about the positives from this game. And that is because there were almost no positives to speak of.

But I dug deep to find the performances that weren’t as disappointing as the rest.

OLB Yaya Diaby

Diaby got on the board early with a sack of Matthew Stafford on the Rams’ first drive of the game. He powered through left tackle Alaric Jackson with a bull rush. With the help of some strong coverage in the secondary, Diaby had enough time to engulf Stafford from his blindside for a 10-yard loss. He followed that up by tracking down receiver Puka Nacua on a perimeter screen on the very next play for just a two-yard gain.

In the second half, Diaby was able to pressure Stafford on a 4th & 4 to force an intentional grounding and turnover on downs. He added a few more pressures throughout the game and was the lone Bucs defender to get after Stafford at all. Diaby finished the game with two tackles, one sack and three pressures.

RT Luke Goedeke

Three players from the Bucs’ 2022 draft class were in serious consideration for extensions this past off-season. Only one of them showed they deserved a big paycheck in this game. Goedeke held strong against a talented Rams pass rush, facing mostly Byron Young. He gave up just two pressures all game and helped create holes in the run game. His best reps were as a puller, getting to the left edge and clearing paths in space.

Goedeke’s return has helped stabilize the Bucs offensive line and elevate the run game.

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: USA Today

RB Rachaad White

Because of the game situation, White’s number wasn’t called much. But he put up 38 yards on just seven carries, averaging over five yards per clip. He was also his normally dependable self in pass protection, picking up blitzes and helping his offensive line as they had their hands full with an elite Rams defensive line.

White managed two explosive runs, a 12-yarder in the second quarter and a 16-yard run long after the game had been decided in the fourth quarter. White’s final line for the night was seven carries, 38 yards (5.4 yards/carry) and one catch for four yards.

WR Tez Johnson

Johnson added to his touchdown total in this game, grabbing a tight window pass on a 14-yard in breaker from quarterback Baker Mayfield in the second quarter. He added two more catches for 14 yards and two runs for 12 yards. His total of 33 yards was the most from scrimmage for any Bucs receiver on the night.