Each week following every Bucs game, we’ll take a closer look at the snap count distribution for Tampa Bay on offense and defense. We’ll assess what we can learn from who played the most and least in the game.

Let’s get a closer look at the Bucs players who received the highest and lowest number of snaps in their shocking, blowout loss of 26-7 to the Broncos at home.

Bucs Offense

The conversation at running back has ramped up as rookie Bucky Irving continues to shine when given his opportunities and has out-rushed Rachaad White in each every game. This time, Irving had more carries than White with nine attempts going for 70 yards while White had six for 17. White barely had any attempts in the second half since the Bucs were far behind, but still out-snapped Irving 42 (74%) to 18 (32%). That’s actually less playing time than Irving had from the week before. I’m not sure what Tampa Bay is seeing that’s preventing them from using him more.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

Chris Godwin has been the best receiver for the Bucs thus far this year and he had another solid game. The Bucs are relying on his consistency and bumped up his playing time to 89% whereas Mike Evans was at 82% and Jalen McMillan came in at 77%.

It’s not a drastic drop off from Godwin to McMillan, but what’s frustrating is how little McMillan has been involved throughout three weeks as he’s had three catches in three games. This week especially, Evans was a non-factor having two catches for 17 and McMillan made just one reception in garbage time for a gain from six. He hasn’t stepped up despite many chances to.

I’m not sure if the Bucs just don’t trust backup tight end Payne Durham that much or that the coaches are just big fans of Cade Otton. He’s not exactly playing the iron man role anymore, though Otton’s 52 snaps did translate to 91% playing time. Durham’s 21% was a big drop off from the 33% he had a week ago. Otton tied his personal career high with seven catches, but those receptions had little significance and he fumbled late in the game.

So much for Liam Coen providing more protection for Justin Skule. With talks this week about having an extra lineman more for first and second down, Robert Hainsey got in for one snap near the goal line. Meanwhile, although it certainly wasn’t all on Skule by any means, the Bucs were sacked seven times. Ko Kieft had one snap as well at the goal line at fullback.

Bucs Defense

The Bucs defense overall went from playing 85 snaps last weekend to 68 total on Sunday, so at least all of the players weren’t on the field as much. They were probably just as worn out considering how the Broncos moved the ball so efficiently on almost every drive.

Bucs DT Logan Hall – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

It was always going to be a battle up front without defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey. One of the defensive tackles leading the way was for the other defensive tackle was Logan Hall, who’s proving to just be a rotational tackle and not an impact player that the Bucs imagined when they drafted him with the first pick of the second round in 2022.

Hall saw an increase in snaps going up to 46, which tied Greg Gaines at 68%. Neither had a huge imprint of the game like Gaines did a week ago. Hall had one tackle, Gaines had two.

While C.J. Brewer and Will Gholston played their regular amount, the defensive tackle that saw the biggest jump was Mike Greene, going to 22 snaps. Greene was elevated from Tampa Bay’s practice squad for the third and final time. Ben Stille, who’s on the active roster, played six snaps. One would have to imagine that a roster move will be made to put Greene on the 53-man roster and Stille to the practice squad if they’re Greene much more of the time.

The platoon situation at inside linebacker is almost as split down the middle as it could possibly be. K.J. Britt was in for 51% of the snaps while SirVocea Dennis played for 50% of it. Neither performed well, but in fairness hardly anyone on the Bucs did.

Rookie edge rusher Chris Braswell saw an increase of five snaps. Who’s to say that wasn’t because of the lopsided affair? Anthony Nelson played 25 snaps for the second straight week, but this had an increase up to 37% of total playing time. Nelson could’ve had a big stop on fourth-and-goal early in the game but couldn’t tackle Jaleel McLaughlin, who scored a touchdown on the play. He also missed on a sack later on Bo Nix’s 22-yard scramble away from pressure.

The Bucs have struggled to get sacks on the quarterback, especially at edge. It might be time to give more snaps to Markees Watts or to activate Jose Ramirez next week.