PFF Grade Roundup: Snap Counts and Player Performance Grades from the Buccaneers and Panthers

Dec 1, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) gets sacked by Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) (not pictured) during the first half of the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost their ninth game of the season, falling to the Carolina Panthers by a final score of 27-6. But even more disappointing than the loss were the performances of the players, who seemed to be unable to compete with the Panthers and were soundly beaten in all aspects of the game.

But just how bad were the Bucs on Sunday? The fine folks of Pro Football Focus have released their grades and statistics from the game, and here are some of the key takeaways.

Offense

• With no Tom Crabtree, Tim Wright played 39 of 50 snaps. Unfortunately, that meant playing plenty of running plays, where he was graded as a -2.0 run blocker.
• Wright’s overall grade was a -2.4, which was second worst on the Tampa Bay offense. The only player with a worse grade? Mike Glennon, who logged a grade of -3.2. Despite his seemingly good quarterback rating, Pro Football Focus has Glennon rated 29th among quarterbacks who have taken at least 25% of their teams snaps this season.
• Demar Dotson continued his impressive season on Sunday, earning the best offensive grade for the Buccaneers with a +1.4. Dotson may have been embarrassed by Star Lotulelei on one play, but for the day he won the battle against a talented front seven for Carolina.
• The only other starter with a positive grade on the day was Jeremy Zuttah, who earned a +0.3.
• Tiquan Underwood would have finished in the positive grades if it weren’t for his penalties, which set him back into negative grades with a -0.9 overall.

Defense

• The highest and lowest grades on the day were held by Lavonte David and Daniel Te’o-Nesheim. But not in that order. The dominant linebacker for the Buccaneers somehow earned the lowest grade of the day, while the starting defensive end who has been a total disappointment all season earned top honors on defense.
• For David, it’s unclear why he earned such a low grade. He was only credited with one missed tackle, so he must have been out of position or easily taken out of the play as a run defender and pass rusher too often on Sunday.
• For Te’o-Nesheim, it was solid run defense combined with one of only two hits the Buccaneers got on Cam Newton that earned him the top grade. Te’o-Nesheim needed a game like this to show what he’s capable of, and hopefully he continues to show a bit of improvement over the final few games of the season.
• The Bucs missed 11 tackles on the day, with Jonathan Casillas and William Gholston registering two misses apiece.
• Gerald McCoy had a very polarizing day, as he still got three QB hurries but earned a negative overall grade due to poor run defense.
• William Gholston played the most snaps of any defensive end other than Adrian Clayborn. Da’Quan Bowers played the fewest snaps of any defensive end, but registered two QB hurries on only seven snaps.