THE STORY: Tampa Bay’s defense had more success with stops in week 2 versus week one. Cleveland's second scoring drive was a 34 yard field goal. I am calling the 2nd FG drive a wash, because of an interception that Baker threw which set the Browns up in field goal range. Strip out that drive, and the Browns' offense beat our Defense four times: two FGs and two TD passes in 8 possessions.
Summary:
Drive Qtr Time Result Pts Stop?
1 Q1 7:17 FG (Szmyt, 50 yd) 3 no
2 Q1 2:30 Punt 0 YES
3 Q2 14:02 FG (Szmyt, 34 yd) 3 no
4 Q2 9:00 Punt 0 YES
5 Q2 4:00 Punt 0 YES
6 Q3 3:48 FG (Szmyt, 34 yd) 3 no
7 Q3 1:33 TD (D. Boston, 55 yd) 7 no
8 Q4 13:00 Punt 0 YES
9 Q4 3:57 TD (Whiteheart, 17 yd) 7 no
THE ADJUSTED NUMBERS
• Bucs D faced 9 Browns possessions
• Stopped 4 outright — all of those being a punt
• 1 was a wash and removed
• Leaves just 4 real scoring drives allowed
• Adjustments: minus the neutral drive Bucs D faced Browns on 8 possessions and stopped 4.
That's better than last week’s 22.2%.
FINAL WORD
The Bucs defense had some more success with stops this week, but considering the offense it was facing, 50% isn’t close to good enough. A closer look at the second half shows that the defense went 1 for 4 (25%) in the final half. They couldn’t get off the field, get a sack, cause a turnover… and that’s why they continue to play a role in this team’s losses week in and week out.
Some of the blitzes did land and Walker should have been used more. Once again the defensive backs held up and the run defense looked shored up.. But a consistent pass rush and blitz package is needed to win this league when it counts in the 4th quarter of games.
defense went 1 for 4 (25%) in the final half. They couldn’t get off the field, get a sack, cause a turnover….
this was a specific offseason priority and so far a fail
Walker should have been used more.
Walker is sort of a symbol for the problem with Bowles.
walker provided good pressure yesterday but also completely whiffed on an open field tackle. Bowles post game comment mentions both and Bowles said he "needs to continue to develop" to play more, meaning do all of the jobs Bowles needs him to do in Bowles defense
