Buccaneers game grades: 2017 Week 3 loss in Minnesota

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 31: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks into his headset from the sidelines during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins on August 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: Jacquizz Rodgers #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

RUNNING BACKS

Whether it was their fault or not, the Buccaneers running backs were non-existent in this game.

As a team, the Bucs netted a total of 26 rushing yards. 26.

And it wasn’t because the Vikings defense stopped them. It was because the Bucs defense couldn’t stop Minnesota’s offense.

Essentially, Tampa went pass happy so early, guys like Jacquizz Rodgers never got involved.

Speaking of, the temporary starter got just five carries for 15 yards while Charles Sime took two for four. Bernard Reedy and Winston each took a carry as well, gaining seven total yards.

Sims brought in one catch as well for nine yards.

There isn’t much to say here. When they got the ball, they gained positive yards. There wasn’t anything altogether bad about the running game.

The Buccaneers simply didn’t use it. At all.

Can’t call it a failure when it just wasn’t used, so I guess we’ll go middle ground here.

GRADE: C

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