CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Not turning the ball over for three straight games is an admirable feat for the Bucs. Not ForcingTake-out for three is not a good idea. The Bucs were the first Super Bowl team to play three consecutive games with no turnovers.
“It starts with punching the ball out, starts with making plays on the ball down the field,” coach Todd Bowles said. “Pressure helps it, but it has nothing to do with pressure. We’ve got to get turnovers regardless, whether we rush 4, 5, 6 or 3. We strive to achieve turnovers. We practice it. We practice it. They come in bunches, so hopefully this will be the end of it and we can get some more.”
Thursday night’s turnovers will be crucial against the RavensThe Bucs, with a plus-5 turnover margin, are tied for third. They have a league-high 14, while only committing nine in seven of their seven games. The Bucs have committed eight turnovers in the first three games but only one in the final four, which are all losses.
“We’ve got to get them in third-and-long, where quarterbacks hold the ball and try to push it downfield so we can get sacks,” said Larry Foote, the team’s inside linebackers coach and pass game coordinator. “Pick the ball off. We had a few opportunities (Sunday), but nothing too significant. We’ve got to get the ball out. We know in this league, if you’re creating turnovers, the chance of you winning goes up.”
Another loss to another one-win opponent leaves us with the now-weekly question: What if this isn’t rock bottom for the Bucs? https://t.co/L1jDgunp89
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 23, 2022
Since the start 2018 season, 43 times a team has gone through three consecutive games without turning the ball over. However, the Bucs are among only five teams (12 percent) that have not won in this three-game span.
Second half: Defense hits a wall
The Bucs defense performed well in the first and second half, but gave way late in the game to big plays and lapses.
For AtlantaThe Bucs maintained a shutout until the fourth quarter. However, they gave up 15 points which put the win in danger. For PittsburghThey held the Steelers down to 104 yards during the first half and gave up 166 at the half to allow Pittsburgh to win by two points. And Sunday, after holding CarolinaAfter rushing 34 yards in halftime, they surrendered 139 yards after the break for a disappointing 21-3 loss.
“They have to play four quarters,” Bowles said. “It’s really a focus thing. There are things we’ve done every day, all day, and I can’t explain why at this time, but the things that happened yesterday, the three busts we had that really cost us some things were inexcusable. It’s something we’ve put in Day 1, since we’ve been here, so it wasn’t something that had to be taught or retaught. We just have to focus and have a killer instinct and play four quarters.”
Rotation at the left guard
Continue to stick with rookie Luke GoedekeFor every snap in the first six games, even though he struggled with finding consistent protection against the opposing defensive tackles. The Bucs switched to a rotation Sunday and brought backup Nick LeverettFor 20 snaps, please click here
“They’re both very physical,” Bowles said Monday. “They were both neck-and-neck going into the season, and obviously Luke won it. Leverett has earned some playing time, so we’ll try to get him some in there. Both played hard and fought hard. We’ve just got to get better.”
Video: Bucs center Robert Hainsey explains that the offensive line can be improved by making simple fundamental changes to technique. pic.twitter.com/LDV4RF5ddF
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 24, 2022
Leverett graded out much higher Sunday according to Pro Football Focus, but Bowles said as long as Goedeke’s injured right foot isn’t limiting him, he’ll continue to be the starter, though he has committed to playing Leverett as well. Bowles said he didn’t think switching guards every few series would have an adverse effect on the offensive line’s chemistry.
More Third-down Passing Issues
The Bucs were 2-for-12 on converting third downs in Sunday’s loss at Carolina, dropping them to 26th in the league after ranking second last year. Tampa Bay went 0-for-8 on third downs requiring 6 yards or more to move the chains, and didn’t convert any of their opportunities in the second half.
Brady’s numbers on third down spoke to the overall inability to move the ball consistently; he was 6-for-11 for just 33 yards, only 3 yards per attempt. The Bucs emphasized targeting Chris GodwinBrady was their most reliable receiver on third down, but he converted just once in seven third down passes that Godwin was a part of. He also had four incomplete passes and two missed first down passes.
“I don’t think it has been well on third down the last few weeks,” Bowles said. “It’s something we work on all the time, execution-wise. There are many things you can do, including false starts and a lack of route progressions. It’s everybody-inclusive. We need to improve on that. I know that we are trying. We’ve got to get solutions, and we’ve got to get them fast.”
Information on injuries
The Bucs’ secondary is likely to be depleted again Thursday, as Bowles said that safety Antoine Winfield remains in concussion protocol and “likely” will miss the Ravens game as a result. Tampa Bay was also without its cornerbacks Carlton Davis(hip). Sean Murphy-Bunting(quad), Sunday, pushing rookie Zyon McCollumBoth will have to be in an all-down position and it will be difficult for either one of them on a short week.
It’s difficult to do any physical activity the day after a game. Bucs wear t-shirts and bucket caps for walkthrough practice today. As they prepare to play in Baltimore on Thursday, it is an important installation. pic.twitter.com/hLgJifuals
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 24, 2022
The Bucs will have only walkthrough practices this week, helping players’ bodies recover physically in the quick turnaround from Sunday to Thursday. That’s less physically taxing, but it’s also harder to evaluate the progress of players recovering from injury. They were without DL Akiem (foot), TE Cam Brate(neck) & WR Julio Jones (knee) in addition to the defensive backs who were sidelined Sunday, but all three were participating in Monday’s walkthrough.
(Photo of, starting from left Devin White D’Onta Foreman: Eakin Howard/Getty Images
