Extra Point: Takeaways From the Buccaneers Win Over the Tennessee Titans
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 20-6 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. A much-needed victory for Tampa Bay kept them alive in the NFC South race and saved a season that was headed in the wrong direction.
Though the time to celebrate the win is short with a cross-country trip up next in the schedule to face the San Francisco 49ers. It was a good team win for the Bucs, who played well in all phases of the game. Here are my top takeaways from the Bucs Week 10 victory.
Bucs Defense Is Back
Gone was the soft zone coverage head coach Todd Bowles utilized during the Bucs four game losing streak and back was the man zone attacking defense that has helped the team stay in and win so many ball games. The results were easily noticeable; the Bucs did a tremendous job of limiting one of the league's most potent rushing threats in Derrick Henry. Holding the All-Pro back to just 24 yards on 11 carries. On the day the Bucs defense only allowed 42 yards rushing.
The secondary got back to playing the coverage that fits their skill set and came away with their first interception from a starter all season. They limited Will Levis to just 199 passing yards and the front seven sacked him four times. After allowing eight explosive plays against the Texans they limited it to just one versus the Titans. If the Bucs can continue to play this style of defense they should keep themselves in games fot the rest of the season.
Offense Remains Efficient
After a season-high 37 points in a loss to the Texans the week prior, the Bucs offense continued to take a step in the right direction. While they did not match the point explosion, only tallying 20 points against the Titans, the process was evident. They got Mike Evans involved in the passing game more and if not for an ill-timed drop by the Pro Bowl receiver they would’ve had more points on the board.
Utilizing Rachaad White in the passing game as an extension of the running game continued. Which saw the second-year back hit an explosive 43-yard catch and run for a touchdown. While the team kept balance with 29 passes to 28 runs. Chris Godwin was battling an illness but had several chain-moving gains and Trey Palmer is on the verge of a breakout game. The Bucs' offense is trending in the right direction and if the defense continues to play the way it did on Sunday the Bucs could win a lot of games down the stretch,
Bucs Back In The NFC South Sweepstakes
With their win against the Titans on Sunday and a pair of losses by the Falcons and Saints, the Bucs are just a half-game out of first place in the division. With Both teams on their bye week, Tampa Bay can make up for lost ground if they can somehow find a way to upset the 49ers. Who just snapped a three-game losing streak of their own.
After the 49ers game, win or lose, the Buccaneers schedule is quite favorable. Up next is a trip to Indy, followed by two games against the Panthers, trips to Green Bay and Atlanta, and holiday home games against the Jaguars and Saints. If the Bucs can win six of seven they should be in good shape to win the NFC South for a third consecutive year and lock up a playoff spot.
Three Up, Three Down
Up
Rachaad White
White continues to be a playmaker when put in space. He churned out 51 yards on the ground including a long of 11 yards. But was dynamic again as a receiver charging 43 yards down the field for an early touchdown for the Bucs.
Baker Mayfield
Mayfield was sharp and decisive on Sunday and besides an untimely interception played one of his better games this season He spread the ball around throwing to seven different receivers for 278 yards two touchdowns and a 102.4 passer rating.
Mike Evans
After some slow starts, Evans was involved early and often against the Titans. Baker consistently looked the way of the star receiver who finished the day with six receptions on 10 targets. He had two big drops he’d like to have back but made up for them with a big 43-yard gain and a 22-yard score to increase the Bucs lead.
Calijah Kancey
Kancey has been an absolute monster for the Bucs since returning from injury. He has been better than advertised getting off double teams in the run game and disrupting plays in the backfield his versatility is notable as the Bucs used him in a variety of ways including out wide. He ended the day with three tackles, all for loss.
Jamel Dean
Dean was stellar on the day playing a scheme that maximizes his skill set. He was active in run support and held DeAndre Hopkins to just three catches for 27 yards. Dean is one of the best press-man corners in the league and it was on display on Sunday.
Devin White
White finally looked like the linebacker that the Bucs fans have wanted him to be in Sunday’s win over the Titans. He was flying to the ball, playing instinctual in coverage, making tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and brought down quarterback Will Levis for a sack.
Down
In a must-win game for the Bucs their players came through with great effort in all phases of the game. You could nitpick and put Jake Camrada and his two shanks on here or Joe Tryon-Shoyinka for not joining the sack party. Or even Bowles for not using his timeouts... Again. But the Bucs played well as a whole in their victory over the Titans.
You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.
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