The scoreboard and stat sheet weren’t the only things lighting up for the Bucs as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated the Chicago Bears 29-7 on Sunday. The people over at Pro Football Focus had their grading scales lighting up, as well, with a wide variety of good performances from Bucs players.
Here’s what the people over at PFF thought of the Bucs performances.
Week 2 Buccaneers Offensive Stats
- WR Mike Evans highlighted the offensive performance by the Bucs – with his tip-toe TD grab early in the game and maintained a consistent presence all game long. He was targeted 9 times, hauling in 7 of those targets for 93 yards and a TD. Despite a dropped pass, Bucs QB Jameis Winston saw a 146.8 passer rating when targeting Evans.
- Bucs HB Jacquizz Rodgers performed well in the absence of Doug Martin, capping his day with a TD and 67 yards on 19 carries. He forced 2 missed tackles and saw the most success when rushing outside of the tackles. He gained 10 yards on 2 carries around left end and another 29 yards on 4 carries around the right end. Convincingly, he forced both missed tackles when rushing outside the tackles, one per side.
- Bucs QB Jameis Winston had a solid game overall in the season-opening victory over the Bears, but did see some areas of struggles. He mainly attacked the intermediate areas (10-19 yards downfield), tossing 14 of his total 30 passes in that yard range. He completed only 3-of-8 intermediate passes in between the numbers however, and saw just a 59.9 passer rating targeting that area.
- LT Donovan Smith really struggled on Sunday, allowing 5 total QB pressures including 1 sack, 3 hits and a hurry. In all, the Buccaneers offensive line allowed just 8 total QB pressures, with 5 of them belonging to Smith.
- Carrying a trend over from a year ago, the Buccaneers offensive line allowed just 8 total QB pressures, and won the game. In all 9 victories a season ago, the Bucs allowed 12 or less QB pressures as a whole. In their 7 losses in 2016, Tampa Bay offensive line combined to allow 13 or more pressures. Clearly, pressure, or lack of pressure is a major factor in the Bucs outcome.
Week 2 Buccaneers Defensive Stats
- New nickel CB Robert McClain may get the praise for his pick-6 off former Bucs QB Mike Glennon, however, McClain struggled in other areas. He missed 3 tackles in the game, a team-high, and allowed the Bears lone TD through the Cover-2 hole. Even with the INT, Glennon saw a 96.4 passer rating when targeting McClain as on 8 targets, he allowed 6 receptions for 61 yards, 28 YAC and the TD/INT combo.
- Rookie LB Kendell Beckwith had a great performance to start his career, playing in relief for Kwon Alexander after a hamstring injury. In the passing game, Beckwith was targeted 8 times, allowing just 4 receptions for 43 yards, only 16 of which came after the catch. He didn’t miss a single tackle and recorded two defensive stops for the Bucs defense.
- DT Gerald McCoy was a menace to the interior of the Bears offensive line, registering 7 QB pressures, second-most among DTs in Week 2. His lone tackle in the game was a crushing run stop as the perennial Pro Bowler was up to his usual antics against Chicago.
- On 26 snaps for his new team, DT Chris Baker was almost unknown. He registered just 1 QB hurry on 14 pass-rush snaps and registered no tackles. Conversly, the rest of the Bucs D-line combined for 21 total QB pressures on Bears QB Mike Glennon, forcing a 57.4 paser rating from Glennon when under pressure.
- Second-year CB Vernon Hargreaves II had a great day in coverage, in terms of keeping receivers in front of him. He was targeted 6 times, allowing 4 receptions, but only allowed 2 yards after the catch. Veteran CB Brent Grimes on the other hand allowed all 7 targets in his direction to be caught, for 92 yards, 11 of which came after the catch. Grimes saw a 118.8 passer rating when targeted.