Due to the timing of Monday Night games as it relates to my own weekly schedule, I was unable to get to an All-22 Film Notes of the Bucs vs. the Ravens in Week 7. But I am back this week with some notes from week eight against the Falcons. Let’s hit it.

Bucs Offensive Line

• Offensive line play was incredible for yet another week.
  • There were entire DRIVES that this unit would not allow a single pressure.
  • I am genuinely an anxiety-riddled person and there were pockets I would have felt comfortable in.
  • Tristan Wirfs is on another level and making a case for his fourth Pro Bowl and second first-team All-Pro. While the Falcons have an extremely lackluster pass rush it is still amazing to watch him shut down anything and everything that comes near him.
    • He wasn’t given many opportunities to shine in the run game, but he did have a couple of good reps driving Matt Judon back on a mid-zone run and wrapping on a pull to stun Kaden Ellis.
  • This was Luke Goedeke’s best game of the season in my opinion. Was quicker jumping out of his stance on drive blocks and was washing guys through to create backside cuts for his running backs. It’s taken Goedeke a few weeks to shake the rust off from his early season concussion, but this was the first game I thought he looked back to 100%.

Luke 🤣😂 pic.twitter.com/LP1Ho9IO0b

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) October 28, 2024

• • • Graham Barton had another fantastic game at center against some solid competition in David Onyematta and Grady Jarrett.

Every week there is at least one climb rep from Graham Barton that makes me go “Yessss!” pic.twitter.com/6rFG6rmyDX

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) October 31, 2024

• • • Barton was engulfing guys in the run game.
    • The Bucs just missed an explosive run in the second quarter (13:07) if he could have just stay connected on his climb for a second longer. Still, they were able to get five yards on second-and-3 for a successful play.
    • On the tight window throw to Jarrett on the left sideline in the fourth quarter Barton was somehow able to get a piece of loopers from both side of him at the last second to buy enough time for Baker Mayfield to get the throw off.
    • There are still moments where you see him a split second slow coming out of the snap showing he is still getting used to the fluidity of snapping and moving in unison. But each week those reps become less voluminous and quicker overall.
  • Ben Bredeson continues to improve week-over-week and had a good game against the Falcons.
    • He was a critical part of Bucky Irving’s 15-yard run in the first quarter. As he wrapped to get to the play side edge, he was able to make a quick adjustment to kill the edge’s shoulder throw to create a stalemate at the point of attack. Instead Bredeson slipped back and then washed the edge down the line to create the hole for Wirfs wrapping behind him and Irving to flow through. It was a heady move.

Bucs Playmakers

• 

  Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

  One day Rachaad White will get his due for his contributions as a pass protector. His ability to quickly diagnose pressure/blitz schemes, correctly ID his assignment and lay quick, decisive and effective blocks is a value add to an offense because it allows ensures they are never silo’d when he is on the field.

• I don’t think Baker Mayfield’s decision-making on either of the interceptions was flawed.
  • On the flea-flicker, Ryan Miller flashed open when Mayfield pulled the trigger. To me it wasn’t ideal ball placement more than a bad throw. I’d prefer him to make it a more difficult catch by throwing front-shoulder to the sideline where its either a great catch or an incompletion given the play situation (first-and-10 in field goal range).
  • On the wheel route to Jalen McMillan, again I don’t find issue with the decision as the play is trying to get JMac behind A.J. Terrell.
    • But again I think ball placement could have been better and ensured that an interception didn’t happen. If Mayfield pulls the trigger a second earlier with more arc underneath it to the end zone it’s a likely touchdown.
• Speaking of the flea-flicker, I like the idea of one in that situation, but I didn’t love the construct of the specific flea-flicker that was called.
  • Bucs were on the right hash and lined up three to the right which condensed the field. I’d have preferred the play flipped to give each route more room to breathe.
  • I’d also have preferred for Miller to have switched roles with Trey Palmer and leaned in on Palmer’s speed to break open quicker and with more distance.
  • The play has a natural check-down built in that never developed. Cade Otton was most likely on a check release to the play side flat but he was unable to stand up the defensive end on the initial block and had to remain attached through to keep Mayfield clean.
• Mayfield ran the offense efficiently for the game.
  • He made the right decisions throughout the game. Again, some may fault him for his decision-making on the two interceptions. I won’t be one of those people.
  • He managed his pocket well.
  • Outside of the interceptions I really liked his ball placement on the game as he put it in places where his receivers could make contested catches.
• The backs, receivers and Otton all had great games as pass catchers.
  • 188 yards after the catch combined
  • 9-12 on contested catches!
  • Otton was incredible. Took over the Godwin role on third and medium.

Turns out they decided to go to Otton underneath from these bunch looks on 3rd down. I like it. https://t.co/oje0M6fLmL pic.twitter.com/VWuY2IMlhi

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) October 28, 2024

• • The missed explosive to McMillan was on the receiver in my opinion. I don’t think he was supposed to bend to the post. And even if so, this is the difference between a vet like Chris Godwin/Mike Evans and a rookie like McMillan. A vet feels the coverage bust and gets his head around quickly looking for the ball. McMillan will learn from this and most likely make that play in the future.
  • I continue to be impressed by Rakim Jarrett, who I liked in limited reps last year.
    • I am leaning towards thinking he may be the best receiver to fill the Chris Godwin role for the remainder of the season.
    • Receivers totaled 206 snaps in this game. Jarrett received just over 10% of those. I’d really like to see that number go up to around 20% next week.
• I really enjoyed the play-calling from Coen and almost every week he finds a new creative wrinkle for his Pony package.

Four Verts from 21p. Lol. pic.twitter.com/XPISFtEsVD

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) October 28, 2024

• 

  Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and RB Sean Tucker – Photo by: USA Today

  The backs were very good once again.

  • Rachaad White and Bucky Irving did everything well. Run, catch, and pass block.
  • I know lots of people continue to clamor for Sean Tucker to get more opportunities but there are two things that will make that difficult.
    • The two backs in front of him are more complete players who are playing well.
    • The team still does not have full faith in him as a pass protector. Because of that he silo’s the offense when he is on the field telling the defense one of two things is going to happen.
      • Run.
      • Pass where he is out in the route concept.
    • This allows the defense to tee off. Even if he is left in to block if he doesn’t know who to pick up or cannot give a competitive effort then he leaves the $100 million quarterback exposed. No offensive coordinator is going to run that risk.

Bucs Play-Calling

• • 

    Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and OC Liam Coen – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

    I initially thought Liam Coen should have run the ball more in the third quarter, but after reviewing the situations it’s hard to say that it was as egregious as I initially thought. Here is a run down of their third quarter plays.

    • First-and-10 – run for one yard.
    • Second-and-9 is a passing situation – penalty on Graham Barton for holding.
    • Second-and-19 is DEFINITELY a passing situation – pass for seven yards.
    • Third-and-12 – pass for 13 yards and a first down.
    • First-and-10 – pass for 13 yards.
      • They just ran on first down for a yard gain.
      • Bucs were averaging 7.7 yards per pass attempt on first down to just 4.8 yards per run.
      • Bucs had run on first down 58% of the time leading up to this play. Seems like a good tendency breaker to throw here.
    • First-and-10 – flea-flicker interception.
    • First-and-10 – pass for five yards.
    • Second-and-5 – run for two yards.
    • Third-and-3 – incomplete pass.
  • Nine plays, two runs and maybe you argue they could have run on three of the other passes, two of which went were completed for a total of 18 yards. I think that may be splitting hairs a bit.
  • The fake punt was an atrocious call. Just leave the offense out there.