Buccaneers: How Do They Stop the Cardinals' Offense?

How Can the Buccaneers Stop the Cards? A Pewter Plank Roundtable

Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians reacts prior to the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) carries the ball as Atlanta Falcons defensive back Brian Poole (34) defends during the first half at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

James Yarcho

There are a few keys to stopping Arizona’s high-powered offense. Some will say the pass rush – Carson Palmer is easily taken off his game under consistent pressure. Some would say the secondary – the corners have to step up to slow down Fitzgerald and Floyd while the safeties need to keep John Brown from exploiting them with his speed.

To answer this question, I’ll ask you one: what’s the best way to keep an offense from scoring? Keep them off the field.

The Bucs’ best course of action is long, time-consuming drives that will minimize Arizona’s possessions. The Bucs can not afford any three-and-outs. And they have to get Doug Martin going early. The more he touches the ball, the more effective he becomes, especially late in the game.

The old saying “the best offense is a good defense” doesn’t apply this week. This time, the best defense is a good offense.

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