Seven games into this season, one would not have expected the Bucs defense to have struggled to the extent they have. Coming into the year, the unit appeared strong on paper – and for good reason.

Looking at the player personnel, there is plenty of established star power in defensive tackle Vita Vea, inside linebacker Lavonte David, and free safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Add in emerging young talent like defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, outside linebacker Yaya Diaby, and cornerback Zyon McCollum, all of the pieces are there to have a top-tier defense.

Instead, the unit has underwhelmed, especially in the past three weeks after giving up 550 total yards to the Falcons and 508 total yards to the Ravens.

Plenty is on the line as they prepare for a rematch against the 4-3 Falcons on Sunday afternoon. It will be challenging for the offense to keep up its scoring output with wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans injured, and the defense now has more pressure to perform.

Yaya Diaby and Zyon McCollum Know The Bucs Need To Win On Sunday

Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: USA Today

There is increased pressure on the Bucs as they continue to march on through their upcoming stretch of games.

The Ravens were just one tough foe, with the playoff-contending Falcons, Chiefs, and 49ers looming ahead. Outside linebacker Yaya Diaby understands the importance of the team coming out and playing hard after what they have been through.

A couple of weeks ago, it was playing for the city of Tampa Bay after it was hit hard by Hurricane Milton. Now, it’s about playing for the offensive stars they lost to injury.

“We need this game, we need this game bad,” Diaby said. “[It’s] just a perfect opportunity to go out there and play for each other, play for Chris [Godwin] and Mike [Evans] and get a win.”

Cornerback Zyon McCollum agreed and knows they cannot get swept by their biggest NFC South rival.

“I’ve been thinking about the Falcons since we played the Falcons,” McCollum said. “I stay in the present moment, but a divisional opponent coming into our house this time. It was a tough game last time, so we have an opportunity to capitalize and go out and try to take the top of this division.

“Especially when you know they’re up-and-coming, they’re pretty good. We know that they have weapons and this early – we haven’t played the Panthers yet, we still haven’t played the Saints [again]. We need to get this win and that’ll secure us moving forward.”

Yaya Diaby and Zyon McCollum Discuss Bucs’ Defensive Struggles

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs’ defense has had its share of struggles this season. Injuries have contributed to an overall lack of cohesiveness, as the defensive line and secondary have been decimated at times. With the injury bug severely biting the offense, it is time for the group to come together and fix the issues plaguing them.

“We just got to get on the same page and communicate on all ends,” Yaya Diaby said. “Front, back, everybody on the same page. When we’re on the same page, nobody can beat us.”

Zyon McCollum believes several things have led to the defense not meeting expectations.

“It’s never going to be about the opponent, it’s always going to be about us,” McCollum said. “That’s the way that we see it and so there’s a number of things that we can do better and I think it just starts with communication and being on the same page. Everybody on the defense working off each other and I think if we sharpen some of those things up – what we can give up [and knowing] what we can’t give up – we’ll be in a good spot.”

In particular, one of the defense’s biggest pitfalls has been allowing a handful of chunk plays every week.

Revisiting Week 5 against the Falcons, allowing the game-winning 45-yard touchdown to wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge stung the most, but the unit allowed big plays throughout the game, with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins also throwing for 18, 24, and 12-yard passing touchdowns en route to his 509-yard passing day.

Something has to change, especially as they rank 28th in scoring defense (allowing 26 points a game) and 31st in total defense (allowing 386 yards per game).

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins – Photo by: USA Today

“Mainly it’s limiting the big plays,” McCollum said. “It seems like you play really solid defense for 60 plays, 65 plays, and if you just mess up twice, then it blows things out of the water. Limiting big plays, communicating, and doing your job will help this defense.”

How can the group avoid “Captain Kirk” from picking them apart again?

“With Kirk, we just got to get pressure on him,” Diaby added. “For a guy like that, he can break you down, him being a veteran. He can see different things and break you down. For us as a front line, I feel like we have to get pressure on him early and attack. For the backend, just communicate. We’ll get right.”

The Bucs are heading into the most critical part of their season.

Things now hang in the balance, but at 4-3, winning the NFC South for a fourth consecutive year is still well within reach.

It will take a group effort with every player chipping in. For the defense, it means getting back on track and keeping the team competitive against tough competition.