Each week following every Bucs game, Pewter Report will take a close look at the snap count distribution for Tampa Bay on offense and defense. We’ll assess what we can learn from who played the most and least in the game.

Let’s get a closer look at the Bucs players who received the highest and lowest number of snaps in the Bucs’ 16-0 drubbing of the Falcons in a shutout win at home, giving Tampa Bay a 3-5 record and making up ground by being 2-0 in the NFC South division.

Bucs Offense

Because of the rainy weather conditions, the Bucs dedicated all of their game plan to running the football on offense, and run the ball they did. Tampa Bay broke a single-game franchise record rushing for 324 yards while only attempting three passes in the game, not completing any of them and having zero passing yards total. It was fascinating to watch the Bucs just absolutely bully the Falcons all afternoon.

This successful game plan dictated the personnel usage heavily as the tight ends became more important than the receivers. The Bucs ran plenty of 12 and 13 personnel – also known as two and three tight end sets, using a lot of Cade Otton (95% of the snaps) and Payne Durham (70%) along with rookie Bauer Sharp contributing.

The 70% of the snaps played by Durham was without question the most snaps he’s played all season long and it was actually the fourth most he’s played in his entire career.

Sharp’s impact was felt greatly in this game. Tampa Bay used him in the backfield at times as a fullback, and he made a highlight block pulling to from the left side of the line of the scrimmage to the right side, stream rolling a defender and knocking him on his backside.

Bucs TE Bauer Sharp – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

Tampa Bay’s strength of this team is its run game. The offensive line and tight ends played a huge role in winning on Sunday. They’ll need to continue leaning on the blocking up front to keep winning. Justin Skule did get in for two plays replacing Tristan Wirfs as the bottom of Wirfs’ cleat came undone and he needed a new pair.

As for the wide receivers, Chris Godwin Jr. led the way at 82% and there was a significant drop off with Ted Hurst and Tez Johnson each playing 42%, followed by David Sills at 37%. They were in there to block, and with the tight end usage, their numbers dropped. Sills got an increase in play, probably due to his size.

What a day it was for Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell leading the offense for the Bucs. Irving rushed for 170 yards and touchdown while Gainwell went for 140 yards on the ground as they each played 50% of the snaps.

Each player was fantastic and had their moments leading the momentum for the team. Irving had most of the touches in the first three quarters, but Gainwell still ripped off big runs and was the primary back in the fourth quarter. This is the 1A and 1B running back combo that Todd Bowles envisioned.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Noticeably absent from the offense was third-string back Sean Tucker, who did not get a single offensive snap. There’s no arguing with the game plan as the Bucs broke a franchise record and won the game, but it’s just curious in a matchup where there were 52 rushing attempts by running backs and only three passes thrown, and yet Tucker couldn’t get one of them. It’s a bit odd, but with how efficient the Bucs were, it didn’t have an impact on the game.

Bucs Defense

A benefit of the Bucs running the ball so well is that it allowed for Tampa Bay to also win the time of possession, holding the ball for 11 more minutes than the Falcons. These long, sustained drives allowed for the Bucs’ to keep their defensive players fresh, especially along the defensive line.

That’s what made it possible for Vita Vea to play 75% of the snaps on defense as the Bucs’ stifled running back Bijan Robinson all game long. Tampa Bay kept a pretty standard defensive tackle rotation after.

Unfortunately, outside linebacker Yaya Diaby suffered a knee injury and was ruled out for the game in the first half. This forced the Bucs to adjust their rotation at edge rusher. Rueben Bain Jr. played the most snaps at 66%, but it was David Walker who was second at 47% followed by Al-Quadin Muhammad at 43% and Anthony Nelson at 30%.

Bain was the best of the bunch, as his pressures on Michael Penix Jr. led to two of the four interceptions in the game.

The Bucs didn’t go with any 4-3 defense, and that boded well as Alex Anzalone recorded two interceptions for Tampa Bay. He’s now the team leader with three on the season. Anzalone got a lot of flak for his performance at the beginning of the season, so he deserves a lot of credit for his play on Sunday.

Bucs ILB Alex Anzalone – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

And what a performance it was for the secondary as well. Jacob Parrish and Zyon McCollum each had an interception. Antoine Winfield Jr. looked no worse for wear in his return, Tykee Smith made some big hits and even when Ifeatu Melifonwu briefly had to come into the game, he made a big stop. This unit is playing at an incredibly high level.