In the NFL things change rapidly so thats one reason why it is often foolish to judge the strength of this season's schedule by prior season's record. It is even a mistake to assume a team with a losing record this season is STILL a weak team.
With the win against the Chargers its not a stretch to see the Bucs look past the Cowboys game and to be surprised by the defense the face:
"Over the first 11 weeks of the 2024 season, the Cowboys had the third worst defense in the NFL based on EPA/play. Mike Zimmer’s first year back in Dallas was as rocky as advertised. His complex system, combined with major roster holes and significant injuries were a recipe for disaster, contributing heavily to Dallas’ 3-7 record at the time.
The past four weeks things have changed in Dallas. Injuries have continued to take their toll, but responsibilities have started to click, and gameplay has started to improve. In fact, it’s done so to a pretty drastic degree. Over the past four games the Cowboys defense shockingly ranks fifth in EPA/play. Their -0.121 EPA/dropback ranks No. 2 in the NFL and their 0.014 EPA/rush has jumped from 32nd to 26th overall per rbsdm.com."
To the point about IN SEASON changes, the source for the quote above lists the Bucs defense as the 2nd best defense in the league in terms of EPA/Play at -0.156
Cowboys are 29th in yards per carry allowed and Bucs are 2nd in yards per carry. Only way we lose is if Coen calls a game like he did vs Carolina. Run the ball down their throats and they can't win.
Only way we lose is if Coen calls a game like he did vs Carolina. Run the ball down their throats and they can't win.
Hopefully, he calls a game like he did last week against the #1 scoring defense, and we hang another 40 points.
Cowboys are 29th in yards per carry allowed and Bucs are 2nd in yards per carry. Only way we lose is if Coen calls a game like he did vs Carolina. Run the ball down their throats and they can't win.
Everyone here knew your position before you posted it, right down to the use of season stats when the post is about recent performance. I think they held Hubbard to 3.2 versus our 3.6.
this most def is a trap game
Cowboys are 29th in yards per carry allowed and Bucs are 2nd in yards per carry. Only way we lose is if Coen calls a game like he did vs Carolina. Run the ball down their throats and they can't win.
Everyone here knew your position before you posted it, right down to the use of season stats when the post is about recent performance. I think they held Hubbard to 3.2 versus our 3.6.
Because everyone knows Coen isn't running the ball enough and Baker is being careless with the ball in advantageous downs but I'm the only one who thinks it will come back to bite us, eventhough it should have cost us the Carolina game but they missed a bunch of FGs and fumbled in OT.
I don't care about the Commanders, Giants, Bengals and Panthers. They don't have a line like this and don't have backs like this (minus White who can't run the ball for shit)
It’s about being multiple and situational.
This offense looks like they can beat any opponent, anyway they want, and do it mid-game if they want.
Liam is a master-mind right now. Even if it looks like he can run the ball down your throat, he will. If we get behind on points, he can have Baker throw to Mike and JMac & Cade Otton - and our opponents can’t stop them.
Why wear down running backs that have had a lot of wear & tear from a brutal season? Mix it up and keep them all fresh to close out the stretch. That way everybody is on-point should you need to shift your attack.
Its not like we’re going to abandon the run, heck the run game takes the load off of the defense, and allowing them to breath and get healthy.
But if we’re going to be in the playoffs - we’ve got to have the the ground & air attack at optimum performance - because those opponents will have better talent/schemes to stop a team that is one dimensional.
Its just smart football.
Any of the last three games can be called trap games. Bucs just have to finish 2-1 or better if they want to be a a potential playoff team.
It’s about being multiple and situational.
Yep.
We’re currently around a 56% pass to 44% run split on the season.
On the road, we’ve been 50/50.
And, our last 3 games, we’ve ran it 52% vs. 42% pass.
That’s good balance. Liam is doing a great job.
Any of the last three games can be called trap games.
Exactly!
Because everyone knows Coen isn't running the ball enough and Baker is being careless with the ball in advantageous downs but I'm the only one who thinks it will come back to bite us
You think if you keep raising the issue now, in the ambiguous way you do ("isn't running the ball enough") it will keep you relevant for a while. :-)
I think most think the Bucs should focus on running the ball (the second half of Charger game makes that point).
The difference between you and "most" ion this issue s that you are/were saying that "Emmitt Smith" (tucker) is the key to winning. Thats IS/WAS your point. Tucker is being "iced" and that will cause us to lose because he is Emmitt Smith.
Now, after he got on the field and didn't do much is game where we won with heavy running against a quality opponent, NOW . . . its . . err . . about Coen . .
Any of the last three games can be called trap games.
Good point
The Bucs offense should be run-heavy in this game. The o-line is more than capable of moving the chains on the ground. Pass when they need to, but the risk of turnovers are minimized by pounding the rock. It would be nice to get Evans some yards, like 80-100 or so.
The Bucs defense will slow down the Cowboys running attack. Rush is a more than capable backup and is throwing the ball well. Slowing down Lamb will be a focus which should open up opportunities for Cooks, their TE Ferguson, and Dowdle out of the backfield. Getting pressure and sacks on Rush will be essential to win this game, similar to last week vs Herbert.
This is the biggest trap game for me...
But I do agree with JC, run it down their throat and control the tempo and make them throw from behind.
Because everyone knows Coen isn't running the ball enough and Baker is being careless with the ball in advantageous downs but I'm the only one who thinks it will come back to bite us
You think if you keep raising the issue now, in the ambiguous way you do ("isn't running the ball enough") it will keep you relevant for a while. :-)
I think most think the Bucs should focus on running the ball (the second half of Charger game makes that point).
The difference between you and "most" ion this issue s that you are/were saying that "Emmitt Smith" (tucker) is the key to winning. Thats IS/WAS your point. Tucker is being "iced" and that will cause us to lose because he is Emmitt Smith.
Now, after he got on the field and didn't do much is game where we won with heavy running against a quality opponent, NOW . . . its . . err . . about Coen . .
I keep bringing up the issue because it already cost us a game and we got incredibly lucky vs the Panthers. We should have run for 300 yards that game instead we needed a call on the Thielen TD and missed FGs just to get it to overtime. Then in overtime needed a fumble recovery, all because Coen wouldn't run the ball. We were in a close game with the Raiders, again because he wouldn't run the ball. If we lose one of these next 3 games the main reason will be because he didn't run the ball enough.
As for Tucker, he has a 6.3 ypc with a 52.5% success rate. If he had enough carries to qualify he would be 1st in ypc and 9th in success rate for RBs. White being below league average in ypc behind this line is pathetic.
