This Sunday the Bucs must get Doug Martin going early. In his first game back from a 4 game suspension, he showed flashes of the “Muscle Hamster”, who ran for over 1400 yards in 2012 and 2015, dragging defenders with him and hitting the hole with authority. But after Martin’s 1st game back, the Bucs have been quick to abandon the run game early, after having fallen behind in the first half in most games after his return. In Dirk Koetter’s offense it’s imperative to establish the run game early, and get your opponent to stack eight in the box, then take your shots downfield, which the Bucs have failed to do.
Another key to victory in this game, the Bucs defense must shut down the Saints two, very talented running backs, Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. Both can run the ball and both have good hands, with over 30 receptions each. So far this season opponents have run the ball down our throat early and often. If that is what happens Sunday, then Drew Brees will carve up our DBs.
It is imperative the Bucs achieve both these tasks in order to come away with a victory next week…
