With two games in the books for the Buccaneers, Bucs Nation is more than happy. Just a couple of weeks ago no one would have believed that the Bucs would start with two wins, especially like this. The offensive firepower expressed in those two contests was unbelievably impressive, there is no doubt about that.
On the other hand, there is one part of the Buccaneers offense where the team currently ranks last in the NFL: the running game. Fortunately, with Fitzpatrick playing lights out, the running game hasn’t been needed very much. Yet it goes without saying that there will be games where the Bucs need a decent running game in order to protect a lead, and thus a potential win.
Peyton Barber, who played a great preseason, has averaged only 2.6 yards per carry this season. The Bucs as a whole have rushed for 2.7 yards per attempt. In Barber’s defense, a lot of those runs came in obvious running situations late in the games, and the Eagles have a great defense.
Rookie Ronald Jones, whom the Bucs spent a second-round draft pick on in this year’s draft, was a healthy scratch in both games so far and simply does not seem ready for the big league. He underwhelmed heavily in the preseason, averaging less than a single yard on 28 carries.
In order to remain successful in the long run, the Buccaneers‘ offense must find a way to fix this issue. Hopefully Peyton Barber can get the running game going and ignite Tampa Bay‘s rushing attack on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
