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About the Author: Joshua Queipo

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Josh Queipo joined the Pewter Report team in 2022, specializing in salary cap analysis and film study. In addition to his official role with the website and podcast, he has an unofficial role as the Pewter Report team’s beaming light of positivity and jokes. A staunch proponent of the forward pass, he is a father to two amazing children and loves sushi, brisket, steak and bacon, though the order changes depending on the day. He graduated from the University of South Florida in 2008 with a degree in finance.
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The Bucs are now the NFC South leaders after a divisional win over their arch-rival New Orleans Saints. In a 26-9 win the Bucs had plenty of players and position groups that made significant positive contributions. Here are the Bucs game grades for their week four matchup:

Quarterback

Bucs Qb Baker Mayfield

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield is turning heads with his play early in the 2023 season. That play largely continued against the Saints. Mayfield was efficient and productive, completing 25 of 32 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns. He continued his streak of positive play out of structure, evading would -be defenders attempting to sack him before scrambling for first downs and finding receivers open for touchdowns. Mayfield once again looked comfortable and in command of the Bucs offense, making good reads both pre- and post-snap and making accurate throws to his receivers.

Not all was rosy for the Bucs signal-caller though. He made a bad throw to Chris Godwin that Isaac Yiadom intercepted easily at the Saints one-yard line late in the first half. And he had another throw nearly intercepted. The two turnover-worthy plays now bring that total (4) up over the number of big-time throws (3) he has made on the year. That combined with his career low pressure-to-sack rate signal he may be due for some regression. Despite all of this Mayfield was still able to orchestrate the offense to the tune of 26 points.

Grade: B-

Bucs Running Backs

Rachaad White had another lackluster statistical performance against the Saints, gaining 56 yards on 15 carries. White’s 3.7 yards per carry were associated with a traditional running game that was sporadic and at times, ineffective. But there were signs of life from White and the Bucs running game, with two runs of 10+ yards. He also contributed to the passing game with three catches for 22 yards. One of those catches saw White break multiple tackles enroute to a key first down that helped set up a touchdown.

Behind White the Bucs opted to change the primary backup from Sean Tucker to Ke’Shawn Vaughn. The results were more of the same lackluster variety as in week’s one through three. Vaughn had a substantial number of carries (9) with an unsubstantial number of yards gained (16).

Grade: C-

Receivers

With the running game still inconsistent, the Bucs had to rely on their passing attack to score all three of their touchdowns and largely help them drive downfield on the day. The team’s receivers were more than up to the challenge. Mike Evans, who has been the most featured member of the Bucs receiving staff started the day off strong, catching all three of his targets for 40 yards. He would unfortunately miss most of the game though as he tweaked his hamstring in the first half.

Enter Chris Godwin. The 1b to Evans’ 1a had himself a day catching eight of his 11 targets. Those catches went for 114 yards, 67 of which were of the after the catch variety. Godwin was near uncoverable on the day, running free on play after play after play. Even on plays where he was not targeted you could see Godwin was a viable option had Mayfield looed his way.

Behind Godwin, several receivers stepped up to help the offense to their best performance of the young season. Deven Thompkins caught all four of his targets for 45 yards and a touchdown while also pitching in with the run game on an 11-yard end around. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales showed creativity in using Thompkins in a variety of ways.

Meanwhile, rookies Trey Palmer and Rakim Jarrett had three catches for nine yards and a score. But their contributions were even more evident in how they helped create opportunities for others.

Grade: A

Bucs Tight Ends

The Bucs continued their trend of de-emphasizing their usage of tight ends for the second consecutive week.  Starter Cade Otton played the whole way, logging 71 snaps. But behind him Ko Kieft and David Wells combined for just 23 snaps on offense. Otton for his part played his best game of the season in my opinion. He was a much better and more willing part of the run game as a blocker while catching three of his four targets for 13 yards and a heads-up touchdown on an out-of-structure scramble by Mayfield.

Otton is never going to be George Kittle as a blocker or as a receiver. But if he can keep latched and get in the way more as a run blocker and hold on to the easy passes sent his way as a receiver, he can adequately fulfill the role of starting tight end in this offense until next year when the team can reassess how they move forward at the position. Canales for his part has to continue to play to Otton’s strengths which includes using him as a puller/on the move as a blocker.

Grade: C

Offensive Line

A unit once considered a weakness of the Bucs roster continues to improve each week. Tristan Wirfs who has long made extraordinary things look easy has done it once again this year. He has made transitioning from right tackle to left, an undertaking that is incredibly difficult, look like it’s as simple as tying your shoes.

Across from Wirfs, Luke Goedeke has made the Bucs’ decision to move him into the starting right tackle position look like a sound move. Facing off most of the game against future hall-of-famer Cam Jordan, Goedeke more than held his own in pass protection while also showing a lot of positive things in the run game. As a matter of fact, I am going to pause this game grades writeup to become a Goedeke stan for a few moments with some of my favorite clips from Sunday. First up Goedeke absolutely refusing to give Jordan an inch over the course of way longer than any lineman should be expected to block on a touchdown to seal the game.

Followed by some antics that just make you love the guy and laugh out loud.

Both Goedeke and rookie right guard Cody Mauch continue to improve each week, giving the Bucs a very bright future on the right side of the line. Center Robert Hainsey and left guard Matt Feiler each had bounce back games after underwhelming showings against the Eagles. The unit is still figuring things out as a run blocking group. They still struggle climbing to the second level and moving off of double teams. But there was considerable progress made against the Saints. One stat that caught my eye that encapsulates not only this game, but the overall young season as a whole. For all of Mayfield’s scrambling and avoiding sacks, which has been impressive, he has only been pressured 46 times through the first four weeks. That is the tenth lowest of all qualifying quarterbacks.

Grade: B

Bucs Defensive Line

The Bucs defensive line had a tough task on Sunday as the Saints passing attack became checkdown city. Running back Alvin Kamara accounted for 36% of the team’s targets (14), but only 24% of their receiving yardage (33). This made it difficult for the Bucs defensive line to create traditional pressure as pass rushers. Edge rushers Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Shaq Barrett both won on over 10% of their rushes against true pass sets, but those opportunities were few and far between.

Up the middle the story was much different. Nose tackle Vita Vea and defensive tackle Logan Hall were able to take advantage of James Hurst starting out of position at right guard and Max Garcia being a late injury sub to generate quick pressure up the middle. Those two combined for six pressures, three hurries and two sacks. Vea in particular was a beast as both a pass rusher and as a run defender (where Hall still struggled in limited run defense snaps).

The Bucs depth defenders contributed solid snaps with Greg Gaines, Will Gholston and Yaya Diaby all helping to limit the Saints ground attack to 70 yards on 19 carries. The lone exception to this was Mike Greene, who continues to struggle in multiple facets of the game despite seeing roughly the same number of snaps as Gaines.

Grade: B-

Linebackers

Playing linebacker in the NFL is tough. You are a part of the front seven AND the back seven. The thing is there aren’t 14 players on a defense. No linebackers are double counted in those terms because they are critical to almost all facets of a defense. Lavonte David and Devin White were positive contributors in both pass defense and as run defenders in week four. David was targeted six times in coverage, allowing five catches…for just nine yards.

White did allow a couple of catches over the middle but was instrumental in helping keep gadget weapon Taysom Hill under wraps. Hill could only manage 10 yards rushing on four carries in large part due to White and David playing disciplined in pursuit.

Grade: B

Bucs Cornerbacks

With Jamel Dean out for this game due to a shoulder and neck injury the Bucs leaned on Zyon McCollum to start for the third consecutive game. McCollum for his part did not disappoint. McCollum was targeted five times on the day per PFF. He allowed one catch and just five yards. Five. McCollum had some struggles against the Eagles talented duo of A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith last week, but really stepped up in week four against another talented receiver core of Michael Thomas, Chris Olave and Rasheed Shaheed.

Across from McCollum, Carlton Davis III returned to the lineup after a two-week absence and played well. Facing off against Thomas, who Davis enjoys playing, he allowed two catches for first downs, but largely kept the veteran Saints receiver in check.

Slot corner Christian Izien was a huge contributor to Alvin Kamara’s ineffectiveness in the passing game, as his open-field tackling prowess was once again on display. Lined up in coverage against Rasheed Shaheed Izien did allow a few catches but did not get beat for any big gains on the day.

For the most part, the Bucs cornerbacks were just not challenged very much on the day. Carr’s shoulder injury clearly affected him and how he attacked the Bucs defense. He was not as aggressive with trying to push the ball downfield. Only 10 of Carr’s 37 attempts went for 10 air yards or more. Part of that was due to the play of the Bucs cornerbacks. I don’t want to take anything away from them. But a large part of it was the result of Carr’s injury.

Grade: B+

Safeties

Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr.

Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs safety room was the highlight of the game for either side of the ball. Free safety Antoine Winfield Jr. had a “Defensive Player of the Week”-like performance, notching nine tackles, two for-a loss, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception. Winfield helped shut down Saints running back Alvin Kamara’s impact in the passing game with a strong performance at the line of scrimmage. He also helped secure the back end of the field. Saints quarterback Derek Carr did not complete a single one of his five pass attempts over 20 yards. Winfield helped break up a would-be touchdown from Carr to receiver Chris Olave in the third quarter.

But the signature play for Winfield was the fumble that he both forced and recovered deep in Saints territory following a Bucs turnover. The play led to a touchdown for Tampa Bay that helped them create separation on the scoreboard they would never relinquish.

Next to Winfield was an impressive performance by do-it-all defensive back Dee Delaney. Delaney, pressed into action following the second play from scrimmage of the game due to Ryan Neal being placed in the NFL league concussion protocol, contributed with a great showing himself. Delaney helped diminish the Saints passing attack to a dink-and-dunk offense that struggled to sustain drives.  He was targeted five times according to Pro Football Focus, allowing just two catches for nine yards. He added to those three tackles and an impressive interception of former Buc Jameis Winston on Winston’s lone throw of the day.

Grade: A

Special Teams

The Bucs special teams’ unit was shaky, but effective on the day. Punter Jake Camarda’s first two efforts to pin the Saints deep in their own territory were both technically successful (the first going out of bounds at the NO 16, the second being fair caught at the NO 19). Both left meet on the bone in terms of what they could have been. His third punt went a country mile but was too low as he outkicked his coverage and allowed Saints return man Rasheed Shaheed a 29-yard return that set the Saints offense up near midfield. Similarly, his last punt of the day was returnable, and Shaheed was able to get 16 of the 59 yards back.

For the third week out of four Bucs Kicker Chase McLaughlin was perfect. He nailed field goals of 51 and 28 yards and both of his extra point attempts. McLaughlin is combining the security that former kicker Ryan Succop provided the team with a much longer range. The results make the Bucs offense more dangerous.

Grade: B

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