In yet another “biggest game of the season” for the Buccaneers, they need their biggest performance of the season out of captain Lavonte David.
It hasn’t been his best year. In fact, there have been games where we’ve questioned if Lavonte David has even been on the field. On the heels of a three game win streak and three dominant defensive performances, Lavonte David needs to be the guy to step up and have his biggest game of the year.
Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is certainly having himself a year. On 234 rushes, Gordon has 908 yards and nine touchdowns. That means it seems very possible that Gordon reaches 1000 yards on the season today against the Buccaneers. That is, unless, Lavonte steps his game up.
It’ll fall heavily on David to slow down Gordon’s production and all but eliminate the run game and make the Chargers a one dimensional offense. This allows the defensive line to tee off the way they have the last three weeks, putting the secondary in position to make big plays. Philip Rivers, when pressured, is certainly susceptible to mistakes. He’s not a mobile guy and is prone to errant throws when the pocket collapses on him.
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Lavonte David had a key play in the win against the Seahawks, forcing Jimmy Graham to fumble the ball, recovering the fumble, and returning it 53 yards to set up the offense deep in Seattle territory. The Buccaneers are going to need more splash plays like that out of David to give them an opportunity for a third big upset in a row, the second of which on the road.
Many Bucs fans – and media – have been critical of Lavonte’s play this season, and rightfully so. After recording 100+ tackles in each of his three seasons, he’s on pace for by far his career low as he currently sits with 44 on the season with five games remaining. He’s had one game with zero tackles and two games with only one tackle. Those are not Lavonte David numbers. Those are sorely disappointing.
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It’s December and the Buccaneers are in the thick of the playoff hunt. If they’re going to make a push for the final five games, Lavonte David has to be the player we all know he can be. That starts today in San Diego.