TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stand at 4-2, sharing the top position in the NFC South. As the season progresses, the team finds itself in the process of shaping its identity.
Reflecting on the week’s challenges, head coach Todd Bowles highlighted the team’s resilience. Following the evacuation due to Hurricane Milton, the Buccaneers spent several days in New Orleans preparing for their game against the Saints. This preparation proved fruitful, as the team overcame a sluggish second quarter to dominate their division rivals with a score of 51-27. “The way we came back and showed toughness in the second half while learning from our errors is commendable,” Bowles said. He added that reducing penalties and “shooting ourselves in the foot” could position the Buccaneers as a strong contender moving forward.
The Buccaneers’ offense has been prolific, scoring over 30 points in four games, a stark contrast to their struggles in the red zone over the last two years. Meanwhile, since Bowles joined the team as defensive coordinator in 2019, the defense has been known as one of the toughest in the league. However, this season has had its share of struggles primarily due to injuries. The recent victory over New Orleans also signified a potential shift towards better defensive performance with the return of All-Pro safety Antonie Winfield Jr. and second-year defensive lineman Calijah Kancey.
Winfield, who missed four games due to injury, made an immediate impact by returning a fumble for 58 yards on the Saints’ initial drive. Kancey, who finally made his season debut after being inactive for the first month, also contributed significantly with two tackles for loss, a sack, and a quarterback hit. “You could feel the presence of Winfield and Kancey,” Bowles noted. “Their return elevated the confidence and overall play of the defense, especially in the latter half of the game.”
Despite leading 17-0 early on, the Buccaneers found themselves trailing 27-24 at the half, marked by a touchdown from a Saints punt return and three interceptions thrown by Baker Mayfield in the second quarter. Ultimately, Mayfield completed 24 of 36 passes for 325 yards and four touchdowns, though the Bucs shifted their strategy in the second half, relying less on the pass and more on the run game, which amassed a season-high 277 rushing yards. The Buccaneers dominated the scoring in the second half, outpacing the Saints 27-0 and finishing with a combined offensive output that set a franchise record with 594 total yards.
Bowles emphasized the value of the team’s ability to adapt and win games in various manners this season. “This experience helps us grow quickly,” he stated. “Last year, we needed multiple losses to bounce back. This year, we’re identifying mistakes and making corrections, allowing us to execute better the following week.”
In terms of offensive performance, Tampa Bay is currently averaging 29.6 points per game, a noticeable improvement from last season’s 20.4. The rushing game, which had struggled significantly over the past two years, is also seeing progress, averaging nearly 8 yards per carry against the Saints thanks to the efforts of second-year player Sean Tucker and rookie Bucky Irving.
However, the defense has shown vulnerability, conceding 27 or more points in three games, including two against rookie quarterbacks, an unusual trend after finishing the previous season with a top-10 scoring defense.
Tucker’s rise has been notable; after having only 17 career carries for 30 yards, he stepped up against the Saints by rushing for 136 yards and a touchdown, alongside a 36-yard reception. Irving contributed as well, scoring a rushing touchdown and finishing with 81 yards on the ground. “It’s impressive to see how guys step up like this; it goes beyond just the next man up mentality,” Mayfield remarked.
Despite the success of Tucker, Bowles indicated that while Rachaad White remains the starter, Tucker has carved out a role that could add depth to the running back position by forming a dynamic trio with White and Irving.
In terms of injuries, the Buccaneers saw the return of right tackle Luke Goedeke (concussion) along with Winfield and Kancey in the game against New Orleans. However, cornerback Jamel Dean suffered a hamstring injury during the matchup. Bowles was cautious in providing updates, stating that several players are dealing with minor injuries and a complete report is awaited.
A noteworthy statistic for Tampa Bay: Baker Mayfield currently leads the NFL with 15 touchdown passes through the first six games, a mark that stands as the second-highest for any Buccaneers quarterback in a season’s opening six games, trailing only Tom Brady’s 17 touchdowns in 2021.
Looking ahead, the Buccaneers are set to host Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens at Raymond James Stadium next Monday night, continuing their quest for success in the season.