The Bucs ran six plays in 21 personnel during the first half of Sunday’s game against the Giants. Also called the “Pony” package in Tampa Bay, using 21 personnel refer to a positional grouping on offense that includes two running backs and one tight end. That leaves two receivers to join the traditional six players on every play of five offensive linemen and the quarterback.

Those six plays represented over 15% of the team’s first half offensive snaps. Leaving out the second half when the Bucs were leading by three scores throughout and adjusted their offensive approach to a more mundane and traditional approach, that is a huge jump in usage for Tampa Bay’s “Pony” package.

Bucs Increasingly Riding The Pony

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: USA Today

Per Sumer Sports, the Bucs had run just 32 of their 621 plays this year in 21 personnel coming into week 12. That amounts to just 5.2% of snaps. This growth is an almost three-fold increase.

And it makes sense.

I documented how successful the package has been for the team about a month ago. And when the Bucs have gone to this unique and quirky package, they continue to find success. Let’s dive a bit deeper into the numbers, shall we?

Now through Week 12, by my count, the Bucs have used 21 personnel 43 times on the season. One play never got off the ground as there was a pre-snap penalty called. Another was called back due to a holding call. Let’s throw those out.

Of the 42 remaining plays, two of which are 31 personnel which is three running backs, one tight end and one wide receiver:

• The Bucs average 8.71 yards per play
• Have a success rate – defined by gaining 50% of the yards needed for a first down or touchdown, 70% on second down, and 100% on third or fourth down – of 61.9%
• They have an explosive play rate – defined by 20+ yard pass plays or 15+ yard run plays – of 9.5%
• The Bucs gain either a first down or a touchdown one-third of the time.
• TD rate of 4.76%
• 0.54 EPA/play

That is a ridiculously high efficiency. And it appears the Bucs are leaning into the usage as those plays tie a season-high for them despite shutting down the creativity in the second half of the game.

Liam Coen Getting More Brazen

While I haven’t seen Liam Coen take any of the ideas I pitched earlier this season, (Liam please use them, I don’t mind) he is still getting more adventurous with each passing week. Early in the season Coen was running 21 out of a double sidecar shotgun, or with a single back and the second usually running some sort of sweep or snap motion across the formation.

Bucs have been experimenting with the “Pony” package through the first two weeks of the season. Mostly they have motioned Bucky Irving from out wide to through the backfield at the snap. Often this has led to an end around/jet sweep or “pop” pass like here. pic.twitter.com/JZCaUymhxA

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) September 18, 2024

And they are still doing that a good bit.

wherever Liam Coen coaches next, it would not be surprising to see that team invest in two talented RBs

the pony personnel stuff this year has been outstanding

Here’s one from Sunday. Rachaad in the backfield. Bucky full field motion. Screen. 4 blockers on 4 defenders. pic.twitter.com/wjrI2Hdu1i

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) November 26, 2024

But what is quite unique is that Coen and the Bucs are now eschewing the best element of “pony”. The entire premise of the package is that when you have two quality pass catching backs it creates multiple options with duality of being able to both run and catch the ball. The motion of one across the formation, paired with the other back in the backfield, forces defenses to try and account for multiple running options on top of the threat of up to five eligibles out in the route progression. But Coen has shelved that for a full spread look out of 21 like this.

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

Bucs running 21 in a static spread with absolutely no threat of a run. Just lining up two backs wide and saying, “We can win through the air this way.” pic.twitter.com/01E8zbWKv5

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) November 26, 2024

What’s interesting here is that in the macro the Bucs in 21 isn’t really creating personnel advantages. The Giants matched with nickel personnel. Theoretically it would mean that one of their two backs, Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, or tight end Cade Otton will end up on a linebacker. While that’s a nice matchup, it’s not an overwhelming mismatch.

However, in the formational alignment the Bucs were able to create a decisive advantage.

On the play above the Giants kept their perimeter corners on the perimeter lined up over Tampa Bays two running backs with nickel corner Dru Phillips over slot receiver Jalen McMillan to the field. That left the Bucs best receiver, and future Hall of Famer, Mike Evans No. 2 to the boundary with linebacker Micah McFadden aligned over him.

Advantage Bucs.

As the season enters its final third it will be fascinating to see how far the Bucs will lean into this highly effective personnel grouping and watching how Liam Coen continues to evolve his usage of the Bucs signature “Pony” group.