It's tough to complain about a 3-0 start, but there’s always something to rant about. This is the weekly article (win or lose) that does it. As one of the biggest Buccaneers fan out there, I’m also a realist. While there’s plenty of goodwill to spread around, there are also concerns that need ranting about.
Early in the 4th quarter of yesterday's game, I started to relax, thinking we might finally put one away without the usual nail-biting finish. It seems the Bucs had the same thought. But hey, a win is a win, and a 3-0 start is definitely something to celebrate, especially given the injuries we've faced. However, I can't help but wonder if this season's start is built on solid ground or just a "house of mirrors."
With our 3-0 record, discussions about our ranking among the league's best teams are warranted. We’re one of only three undefeated teams in the NFC, with the Philadelphia Eagles coming to town this weekend. But how did we get here, and what might not hold up in the games ahead? If you're an optimist, you might want to stop reading now.
The three teams we've beaten have a combined record of 1-8. Each victory has been hard-fought, and while it’s great to pull out these wins—no games are easy in the NFL—it also reveals several issues we need to tackle.
Our special teams have been a disaster over these three games. In Week 1, we missed a field goal and an extra point. In Week 2, we missed another field goal, allowed a long punt return, suffered a blocked punt, and gave up too many kickoff return yards. In Week 3, we routinely started drives at our own 25-yard line or worse, while the Jets began at around the 35 or better after kickoffs. To make matters worse, we allowed a blocked field goal that turned into a touchdown! This is unacceptable at this level of football, and it could cost us games against stronger opponents. I can only imagine the tough Special Teams' meetings happening at One Buc Place this week.
Our defense has had its moments of dominance, but they haven’t faced offenses that would be confused with the "Greatest Show on Turf." The Jets, with Tyrod Taylor at the helm, posed no big-play threat. CJ Stroud of the Texans has shown that his few standout performances as a rookie may have been one-offs rather than the norm. And the Falcons just got shut out by the Panthers! We’re not up against the Ravens, Bills, Lions, or Rams here. And we still haven't seen much of a pass rush when we rush 4. That will hurt us against the offenses who have the personnel and know how to attack these zone blitzes.
Looking ahead, I’m genuinely concerned about our next four games. The NFL landscape can change in an instant; just yesterday, we were up 23-6 in the 4th quarter, thinking we were on cruise control to 3-0. Before we knew it, the Jets took the lead, and what could have been a decisive win almost turned into a loss, leaving us with a potential 2-1 record.
In the upcoming four weeks, we face the Eagles at home, the Seahawks away, the 49ers at home, and the Lions away—all tough opponents. We likely won’t have Mike Evans or Luke Goedeke for any of these games, meaning we’ll be relying on rookie Emeka Egbuka and, hopefully, a Chris Godwin Jr. who can get close to 100%. But that’s no guarantee. Will we get Tristan Wirfs back this week? If not, I can’t see how we keep the Eagles game competitive; their defensive line will feast on Baker Mayfield.
Our offensive line showed heart but struggled yesterday. We had too many holding penalties, and Quinnen Williams dominated the interior. I dread facing the Eagles with this same lineup. It feels reminiscent of what the Eagles dealt with against us last year when their top two receivers and All-Pro tackle were out, resulting in a struggling offense. We capitalized and won 33-16.
Yes, it’s just one game, but with this tough schedule and our injury issues, one game could quickly turn into four, leaving us with a 3-4 record. I love that we’re 3-0, but is it one of the shakiest 3-0 records you can recall? Okay, rant is over. Go Bucs!
Let’s hope we can clean things up and meet the challenges ahead!
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