Buccaneers: Who Steps Up to Lead a Playoff Run?
Bradley McDougald
If the Bucs are going to emerge as legitimate playoff contenders down the stretch, the defense has to continue playing as well as they have been in recent weeks. In order to do that we have to see the elevated play of Bradley McDougald continue.
McDougald was outstanding against Seattle. He had a few pass break ups, was active in run defense, and made the game clinching interception near the end zone. Safeties have been a position of weakness for the Bucs, yet Chris Conte and McDougald have stepped up big time.
Playoff teams can’t have liabilities in the secondary. If they do, offenses can shred them with ease. You know the old adage; offense wins games, defense wins championships. That’s why the defensive dominance we’ve seen recently has to continue – and it certainly can – with safeties playing as well as they have.