Head Coach Todd Bowles nearly cost the Buccaneers the game Sunday. He had been on fire for two games and for most of the Jets game he had their number. The defense was aggressive and made Tyrod Taylor’s life hell. Then, it stopped. All of a sudden the pressure wasn’t there and Tyrod was mincing the Bucs. What was a 23-6 game became a 27-26 game with less than two minutes.
Now, let’s be clear, it wasn’t all Bowles. The special teams absolutely sucked and the offense was sputtering all day. But his defense allowed the Jets to come back into this. Thankfully, the force of lol-Jets was more powerful.
The defense was playing lights out for three and a half quarters. They had no answers for the nickel blitzes he was sending. Jacob Parrish was just a dawg, Jamel Dean had a pick six, and Antoine Winfield was constantly in the backfield. Then, Bowles just stopped blitzing. The d-line couldn’t get anywhere close to Tyrod with a pretty solid o-line. They allowed the Jets to make it a game as he went passive zone.
Now, about the offense. Considering the circumstances, I suppose Grizzard did the best he could with what he was given. With that said, it was a mixed bag. The o-line was holding on for dear life in the first quarter (literally as every other offensive play was a holding penalty), and Bucky Irving was going nowhere. 16 yards of rushing in the first half. Again, context of the o-line playing musical chairs, but he was not helped by the play calling. Grizzard did get into a rhythm during the middle of the game. But like every other game, the offense couldn’t gain traction late.
At least, until Baker Mayfield had to drag the team to another comeback. Three games, three comeback drives. I mean this with all seriousness, but he is playing like an MVP candidate. He did miss on a couple throws, but once again, I am typing about when the Bucs needed him most, he delivered. And this was without Mike Evans (please be ok). And an o-line. Or run game.
I know it’s hard to complain about a win, and I am happy they finally start a season 3-0, but you can’t look at this game and call it sustainable. This team cannot expect to win games against playoff teams playing like this. You can’t rely on Baker just dragging the Bucs to wins as your special teams unit sits in the corner trying to shove a square peg into a round hole. The fact is, this shouldn’t have been close. The Bucs were up by three scores entering the 4th. Under no circumstance should that lead to the other team getting the lead. I don’t care if the players are playing in the Sahara, it is unacceptable. Bowles let the win slip through his fingers. Hopefully the Buccaneers start playing more complete football if some players come back from injury.
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