Things are getting ugly for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have now dropped to an 0-2 record after last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns. Next they will host the undefeated Minnesota Vikings and a game that feels like a must win.
This will be no easy task. The Vikings are led by one of the best offensive minds in the NFL at head coach and one of the best defensive minds at defensive coordinator. This is the type of team that will expose any weakness in their opponent and as we have seen so far the Bucs have plenty of those.
If there is going to be any sort of bounce back, it needs to happen now. The best way to do that is by following my skeleton keys to victory!
Offensive Line Keeps Head On A Swivel
So far this year, the offensive line has played better than given credit for. It’s a very good unit and if the Bucs are going to go anywhere this year then it will be on their backs. However, there is one area they have struggled so far.
Games along the defensive line have caused confusion for the Buccaneers. That’s what things like stunts are designed to do because it forces the offensive line to block someone who they weren’t expecting to be there. It takes a level of communication and game planning to know when to pass a defender off and when to look elsewhere.
So far the Bucs offensive line has just not figured that out this year. Maybe it is a lack of continuity after the starting offensive line played zero snaps together last year. Whatever the reason, they need to figure it out now because no team does more blitzes or games along the defensive line than the Vikings.
Slow Down Jefferson
When you talk about the best wide receivers in the NFL the conversation has to start with Justin Jefferson. In his first six seasons he’s reached 1,400 yards in four of them despite inconsistent quarterback play. He can single handedly destroy a defense.
Fortunately, the Bucs should be somewhat prepared for this. If there was one other guy in the NFL who I’d argue is the best over Jefferson, then it would be Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase. When the Bucs played him two weeks ago they held Chase to 2 catches for 12 yards.
Of course that doesn’t mean the same thing will happen to Jefferson. But it’s worth noting that head coach Todd Bowles has always done a good job taking away a team’s primary weapon. Even if Jefferson gets four times as many yards as what Chase did then it would still be a huge win for the Bucs defense.
Baker…..Please Stop Hurting Us
If I had to point to one player that is the reason for the Buccaneers slow start then it would be their quarterback. Despite being made the 3rd highest player in the NFL before the season, Mayfield has looked as bad as he’s ever looked in Tampa. The season is still young, but so far the return on that investment has been terrible.
Really, everything about Mayfield has been bad. He was inaccurate last week. His decision making has been awful. His pocket awareness has been dreadful. And if you’re looking for a silver lining then I have bad news for you because I just don’t have one.
However, I will say this. Mayfield has been a good quarterback in the past. This time last year he was lighting the league on fire. We know he has that in him, which is why he got the extension, so there is reason to hope that he could return to that form.
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