The Buccaneers finally seemed to get their run game off the ground against the Saints on Sunday, finishing with 277 total yards - thanks in large part to Sean Tucker and his 136 yards. Bucky Irving had a career high of 81 while Baker Mayfield continued to be a dual threat with 29.
So how did things change so drastically in just one week? A lot factored into it, but the real answer may be in something that the Bucs can use moving forward.
For starters, most of those rushing yards came in the second half and 107 of Tucker’s 136 came in the fourth quarter. That Saints defense was tired - and it showed. After Chris Godwin’s touchdown to take the lead in the third quarter, the Saints had three consecutive possessions that lasted only three plays with two drives ending in punts while the other resulted in an interception. Then they had a drive lasting five plays that also resulted in an interception. The New Orleans defense was completely gassed and weren’t able to get any stops.
That said, the Bucs appear to have something that they can continue to focus on to keep the clock moving late in games - and that’s Sean Tucker. His power running style and ability to stay on his feet, even when being hit by multiple defenders is something that the Bucs are going to have to deploy more often in the second half of games this season when defenses are worn out.
For as good as we know Rachaad White and Bucky Irving can be, they don’t possess the power and strength that Tucker does and that’s important for those times that the offense needs to keep getting positive yards and keep the game moving. The Bucs actually did a decent job with that against the Falcons the week before until Irving fumbled and gave Atlanta another chance. Now, with the game that Tucker just had, it’s easy to look at him and say that he’s the late-game, power back that provides a stark difference between what the defense had been dealing with much of the game to that point.
It hasn’t matter where Tucker’s carries are going - inside or outside - he’s gaining positive yards across the board. While most effective running to the left, he still averages at least 4.0 yards per carry no matter which lane he’s going through, so there aren’t any overwhelming strengths or weaknesses for him on any called runs - he’s just grinding his legs and gaining yards.
The Bucs may not have expected to have a three headed monster at running back and it’s going to drive fantasy football managers nuts, but this was the performance the Bucs needed to know which direction they had to take the run game in. It looks like the best course of action will be to use White and Irving early in games before sprinkling in Tucker in the third quarter before utilizing him as the fourth quarter running back against defenses that have worn down throughout the game. Then, Tucker will be able to break off solid runs and take advantage of being the freshest player out on the field.
The Buccaneers finally seemed to get their run game off the ground against the Saints on Sunday, finishing with 277 total yards - thanks in large part to Sean Tucker and his 136 yards. Bucky Irving had a career high of 81 while Baker Mayfield continued to be a dual threat with 29.
So how did things change so drastically in just one week? A lot factored into it, but the real answer may be in something that the Bucs can use moving forward.
For starters, most of those rushing yards came in the second half and 107 of Tucker’s 136 came in the fourth quarter. That Saints defense was tired - and it showed. After Chris Godwin’s touchdown to take the lead in the third quarter, the Saints had three consecutive possessions that lasted only three plays with two drives ending in punts while the other resulted in an interception. Then they had a drive lasting five plays that also resulted in an interception. The New Orleans defense was completely gassed and weren’t able to get any stops.
That said, the Bucs appear to have something that they can continue to focus on to keep the clock moving late in games - and that’s Sean Tucker. His power running style and ability to stay on his feet, even when being hit by multiple defenders is something that the Bucs are going to have to deploy more often in the second half of games this season when defenses are worn out.
For as good as we know Rachaad White and Bucky Irving can be, they don’t possess the power and strength that Tucker does and that’s important for those times that the offense needs to keep getting positive yards and keep the game moving. The Bucs actually did a decent job with that against the Falcons the week before until Irving fumbled and gave Atlanta another chance. Now, with the game that Tucker just had, it’s easy to look at him and say that he’s the late-game, power back that provides a stark difference between what the defense had been dealing with much of the game to that point.
It hasn’t matter where Tucker’s carries are going - inside or outside - he’s gaining positive yards across the board. While most effective running to the left, he still averages at least 4.0 yards per carry no matter which lane he’s going through, so there aren’t any overwhelming strengths or weaknesses for him on any called runs - he’s just grinding his legs and gaining yards.
The Bucs may not have expected to have a three headed monster at running back and it’s going to drive fantasy football managers nuts, but this was the performance the Bucs needed to know which direction they had to take the run game in. It looks like the best course of action will be to use White and Irving early in games before sprinkling in Tucker in the third quarter before utilizing him as the fourth quarter running back against defenses that have worn down throughout the game. Then, Tucker will be able to break off solid runs and take advantage of being the freshest player out on the field.
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