SR’s Fab 5 is a collection of reporting and analysis on the Bucs from yours truly, Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds. Here are four things that caught my attention this week, plus some random tidbits in my Buc Shots section at the end. Enjoy!

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FAB 1. What’s Right With The 5-5 Bucs

Tampa Bay Is Atop The NFC South

Despite an underwhelming 5-5 record, the Bucs have snapped a three-game losing streak and won two games in a row heading into the bye week. The best news is that they are atop a very shaky and downtrodden NFC South division.

Atlanta is the closest to Tampa Bay with a 4-6 record, but the Falcons lost to the Bucs, which gives the defending NFC South champs essentially a two-game lead. As I predicted in my latest 2-Point Conversion column, I don’t see the Bucs relinquishing this lead. Tampa Bay should repeat as NFC South winners.

The Return Of The (Good) Bucs Defense

Bucs DT Vita Vea and Rams QB Matthew Stafford – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Todd Bowles’ unit has gotten back to playing four quarters of football and it showed in holding the Rams to 13 points and the Seahawks to 16 points in the last two Bucs wins. Tampa Bay now ranks third in scoring defense, allowing an average of 18 points per game. The Bucs trail only Denver (16.6 avg.) and Buffalo (16.8 avg.) right now.

The Bucs are 4-1 in games in which they hold an opponent to 18 points or less. The lone loss was a 14-12 defeat by the Packers.

Tampa Bay is tied for second in sacks with New England, posting 32 sacks, and also ranks fourth in sack percentage (8.86%), fifth in total defense (310 ypg.), fifth in pass defense (193.4 ypg), 12th on third down conversions (38.4%) and 14th in rush defense (116.6 ypg.).

Tampa Bay’s Last Five Quarters

The Bucs have outscored their opponents 31-16 in the last five quarters. Tampa Bay used a 10-0 fourth quarter to rally past Los Angeles with nine seconds left in Week 9. Then, a strong first half against the Seahawks in Germany saw the Bucs build a 14-0 lead before the team hung on to win despite getting outscored 16-7 in the second half.

For a team that has had trouble starting and ending games strong, the Bucs seem to be getting better in these areas. That will prove to be helpful moving forward as they try to keep their NFC South division crown.

The Bucs’ Last Game – Especially Offensively

Bucs QB Tom Brady and RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

All season long, the Bucs have had several problems on offense. Tampa Bay has struggled to score points, score early, sustain drives, succeed in the red zone, run the ball consistently and rip off big runs, make explosive plays in the passing game over 20 yards and convert third downs, especially in third-and-short situations.

But against Seattle in Munich, Germany, the Bucs raced out to a 14-0 halftime lead and scored touchdowns rather than field goals. The Bucs converted 10-of-15 third downs, which is good for 66.7%. The Bucs ran for a season-best 161 yards, led by rookie Rachaad White’s 105 yards. White ripped off a 29-yard run, which featured a wicked stiff arm at the end. That was the Bucs’ longest run of the season, and Tampa Bay was one of the last teams to finally have a run of 20-plus yards this season.

Because the Bucs could run the ball, it made Tom Brady’s play-action passes even more effective. Brady had four pass plays of 20 yards or more, including a 31-yard catch-and-run by Julio Jones. The Bucs had touchdown drives of 86, 87 and 88 yards against the Seahawks.

Is this a sign of progress by Tampa Bay’s offense? Or was this just an anomaly against a team that had the 27th-ranked run defense? We’ll find out soon enough.

Tampa Bay’s Kicking Game

Believe it or not, the Bucs’ kicking game has been a big bright spot through the first 10 games of the season. Rookie Jake Camarda, the team’s fourth-round pick, looks like a Pro Bowl punter. His net is 43.8 yards per punt, which ranks sixth in the league. Last year, the Bucs were in the bottom five with net punting, averaging 38.6 yards per punt.

Camarda has had 16 punts downed inside the 20 and just six touchbacks. He’s got a 49-yard average and he’s already got eight punts of 60 yards or more, including a franchise-best 74-yarder against the Rams.

Kicker Ryan Succop looks as good as ever. The 36-year old veteran has connected on 22-of-25 field goals (88%), with two of his three misses coming from beyond 50 yards. Succop is a perfect 13-of-13 on extra points this year, too.

FAB 2. What’s Wrong With The 5-5 Bucs

The 3-Game Losing Streak

Panthers coach Steve Wilkes and Bucs coach Tood Bowles – Photo by: USA Today

Losing to Kansas City, perhaps the top team in the AFC, in Week 4 is one thing. But then suffering back-to-back losses at Pittsburgh and at Carolina in successive weeks to kick off a three-game losing streak is another. Especially when both the Steelers and the Panthers were one-win football teams at the time.

Tampa Bay lost to the QB combo of rookie Kenny Pickett and Mitch Tribusky in Pittsburgh and to fourth-string QB PJ Walker in Carolina. Not a good look – especially considering the Panthers gave the Bucs their biggest defeat of the year at 21-3. After those two losses, Tampa Bay dropped its third straight game, a 27-22 primetime matchup at home against Baltimore.

The Bucs began the season 3-5 under Todd Bowles and some began to question if the team had made the right hire in replacing Bruce Arians, especially coming off a 13-4 season a year ago. Not even Tom Brady had lost three games in a row since his first season in New England.

Bowles needs his Bucs to really get on a roll and win the division to overcome a slow, disappointing start. Otherwise, he might enter the 2023 season on the hot seat, especially without Tom Brady.

Stubborn Bucs Coaching Staff

It shouldn’t take the media questioning the decision to continue to start struggling rookie Luke Goedeke for there to finally be a change at left guard. It shouldn’t take the media pointing out the idiocy of continuing to unsuccessfully run the ball out of 13 personnel (one back, three tight ends) and Jumbo sets in third-and-short yardage situation for the Bucs to try running out of three-receiver sets, which create lighter boxes. It shouldn’t take the media demanding to see more of Rachaad White at running back for the rookie to produce a 100-yard game. It shouldn’t take the media pointing out how the overuse of wide receiver screens isn’t working.

But it has. The Bucs coaching staff – particularly on offense – has been too stubborn and too slow to make the necessary adjustments with play-calling and personnel usage that could lead to better results.

Goedeke struggled for the first seven weeks before the team began to take a look at Nick Leverett, who has brought much better play to the table. Tampa Bay’s third down conversion results have been much more successful (42.9% vs. Los Angeles) and (66.7% vs. Seattle) since running at lighter boxes. White ran for 105 yards and his 29-yard run against the Seahawks was the only run of 20 yards or more this year in Tampa Bay. The Bucs all but stopped calling receiver screens against the Seahawks.

It’s one thing to make some slow in-game adjustments. It’s another thing to not make some simple tweaks in the game plan or to the depth chart during the week.

Injuries To Jensen, Ryan, Hicks and Jones

The players can’t control injuries, which is frustrating. But a lot was expected of free agent additions safety Logan Ryan, defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and wide receiver Julio Jones. Also the fact that the Bucs lost Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen on the second day of training camp has made a huge impact on this season.

Bucs C Ryan Jensen – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Jensen suffered a knee injury that didn’t require surgery, but will likely keep him out until December at the earliest. Robert Hainsey has filled in admirably, but the offensive line has missed the veteran’s tenacity and tone-setting play. If Jensen can return in time for the playoffs, it could be a huge boon to the team if he can return to his old form.

Ryan was a big factor in Tampa Bay’s first three games. He recorded five tackles in Week 1, a forced fumble in Week 2 and an interception and a key fumble recovery in Week 3 before breaking his foot after the first quarter of the Kansas City game in Week 4. He’s on schedule to return in December and could provide a boost to the defense in time for the postseason.

Hicks has returned to action after missing most of the season due to a foot injury he suffered in Week 2. The Bucs missed his presence, especially against the run. But when he returned in Week 9 against the Rams, he made a big difference. Hicks has also drawn double teams, which particularly freed up Vita Vea to collect a couple of sacks versus L.A.

Jones got hurt after a great opening game against the Cowboys and missed four games. He caught his first touchdown against Baltimore and then had a 31-yard TD two games later against Seattle. As Jones’ knee feels better, he’s making more of an impact, and that’s been a big boost to Tampa Bay’s offense.

Jones and Hicks are back in the lineup. If Ryan and Jensen can join them in the coming weeks, it only bolsters what is shaping up to be a playoff-ready team.

FAB 3. Bucs’ Upcoming Schedule Looks (Somewhat) Favorable

A quick glance at the remaining opponents on Tampa Bay’s schedule shows just two teams with winning records: San Francisco and Cincinnati at 5-4.

Week 12 at Cleveland (3-6)
Week 13 vs. New Orleans (3-7)
Week 14 at San Francisco (5-4)
Week 15 vs. Cincinnati (5-4)
Week 16 at Arizona (4-6)
Week 17 vs. Carolina (3-7)
Week 18 at Atlanta (4-6)

Before the Bucs start licking their chops at the perceived weak schedule, it bears mentioning that the team has lost to a 3-7 Panthers team, a 3-6 Steelers team and a 4-6 Packers team. And it took the final nine seconds to beat a bad 3-6 Rams squad as well.

If the Bucs can contain Nick Chubb the way they did the Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker, Tampa Bay should be able to win in Cleveland, especially with extra time to prepare to stop the Browns’ ground game. Then, the Bucs have an extra day to rest and prepare for the Saints at home on Monday Night Football.

Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: USA Today

The 49ers may very well be the toughest team the Bucs will face down the stretch. But it’s hard to imagine Tom Brady losing against his favorite team growing up in his home state of California. And it would be shocking if Brady lost against Jimmy Garoppolo.

Cincinnati also poses a real challenge with Joe Burrow and the high-flying Bengals offense coming to town. Burrow has thrown for 18 touchdowns and rushed for four more with only six interceptions this year. Cincinnati’s top three receivers all have over 500 yards receiving. The Bucs offense will have to help the defense and score at least 24 points in this one.

The only thing that may be challenging about the Bucs’ game at Arizona is the potential distraction of it falling on Christmas night. The players won’t be thrilled to have to spend Christmas Eve in a hotel room in Phoenix, but that should be a winnable game.

Tampa Bay finishes the season with two NFC South showdowns. First is a revenge game against Carolina at home on New Year’s Day, followed by a rematch against the Falcons in Atlanta in Week 18. The Bucs want to avoid having the NFC South title go down to the wire in the season finale. The key for Tampa Bay is getting the division wrapped up no later than the Panthers game in the home finale.

The Bucs started the 2020 season 7-5 before winning the final four games after a late bye week en route to a Super Bowl LV championship. But that was a much better, much more talented team than the one Tampa Bay has in 2022. It’s doubtful the Bucs go undefeated down the stretch and win seven straight to finish 12-5.

Splitting those seven games seems more likely, perhaps going 4-3. That would give the Bucs a 9-8 record this year and make them likely NFC South champions once again. Of course, winning your division comes with an automatic home playoff game, which is the ultimate goal for the Bucs.

And it’s attainable.

FAB 4. Brady’s “Embarrassing Effort” Comment Seemed To Rally The Troops

While the play-calling on offense seemed a bit better – except for the ill-advised Leonard Fournette pass that was intercepted – the reason why the Bucs beat the Seahawks, 21-16, in Munich, Germany was due to better effort and execution. The improved effort by the players led to better execution by the players. And the players have one player to thank for the inspiration – quarterback and team captain Tom Brady.

Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Brady gave his teammates the swift kick in the ass they needed prior to boarding the plane to head to Germany. The 45-year old quarterback called out his teammates’ “embarrassing lack of effort” this year on his Let’s Go! podcast last week prior to the Seahawks game. The fact that it came after a hard-fought, come-from-behind win – and not a loss – made the comments even more curious, and perhaps more poignant.

Of course, the Bucs were losing to the Rams for the first 59 minutes and 51 seconds of that win, which snapped a three-game losing streak. Kudos to Brady for showing great leadership.

It’s one thing to try to rally the troops privately in a players-only meeting, or in the locker room. It’s another to do it publicly, putting the team on blast through your own podcast. It was a calculated move by the savvy veteran and one that paid off as the Bucs won their second straight game and improved to 5-5.

Isn’t Todd Bowles responsible for getting the team’s effort to pick up since he’s the head coach? Of course, but sometimes a coach’s message might not resonate. That’s why teams have captains.

It’s obvious that Bowles is a praise in public, criticize in private kind of coach. There’s nothing wrong with that. But sometimes, a team captain has to step forward and lead.

That’s what Brady did last week by making waves and creating some headlines by calling his players’ effort into question. The players certainly answered their captain’s clarion call.

Better effort, better execution.

Better record as a result.

FAB 5. SR’s Buc Shots

• BRADY STILL GETTING IT DONE IN THE 40s: Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady has dominated the NFL – not just in his 20s and 30s, but also in his 40s.

• BRADY HELPS THE BUCS GET FIRST INTERNATIONAL WIN: While Tom Brady remains undefeated overseas with a 4-0 record in international games, beating the Seahawks, 21-16, the Bucs finally won their first game outside of America. The Bucs were previously 0-3 in London prior to winning in Munich, Germany.

THIS WEEK’S PEWTER REPORT PODCASTS

• BUCS-SEAHAWKS PREVIEWS ON THE PEWTER REPORT PODCAST: The Pewter Report Podcast is energized by CELSIUS and broadcasts four live episodes each week. Next week’s schedule will feature PR Podcasts on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday as the Bucs get ready to travel to Cleveland to play the Browns.

The Pewter Report post-game podcast featured Matt Matera, Scott Reynolds and Josh Queipo, with the trio celebrating Tampa Bay’s win over Seattle.

Matera and Scott Reynolds kick off a Victory Monday discussing Devin White’s sensational game in Germany against the Seahawks.

Matera and Reynolds discuss the Bucs’ running back situation with Rachaad White and Leonard Fournette and talk about a possible controversy at the position.

Matera and Josh Queipo killed some time during the bye week answering Bucs fans questions and conducting an All-Time Bucs Draft.

Watch the Pewter Report Podcasts live on our PewterReportTV channel on YouTube.com and please subscribe (it’s free) and add your comments. We archive all Pewter Report Podcasts. So, you can watch the recorded episodes if you missed them live.

There is no better time to listen to or watch a new Pewter Report Podcast – energized by CELSIUS – than Friday afternoon on the way home from work. Or early Saturday morning during your workout or while running errands.

The popularity of the Pewter Report Podcast continues to grow. In addition to listening to the Pewter Report Podcasts on PewterReport.com, you can also subscribe to the free podcasts at PodBean by clicking here and on SoundCloud by clicking here. And of course, the Pewter Report Podcast is also available on iTunes and YouTube. Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

FINAL VIDEO

• BUCS DT HICKS MIC’D UP IN GERMANY: Charismatic Bucs defensive tackle Akiem Hicks was mic’d up for the team’s win over the Seahawks in Munich, Germany. It’s definitely worth checking out.