The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneers Extra Points: A Week 4 to Week 5 Review

By Jerry Stalheim

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 5: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way off the field following the Bucs' loss to the New England Patriots at an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 5: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way off the field following the Bucs' loss to the New England Patriots at an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 5: Wide receiver Danny Amendola #80 of the New England Patriots avoids a tackle by safety Justin Evans #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a carry in the second quarter of an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 5: Wide receiver Danny Amendola #80 of the New England Patriots avoids a tackle by safety Justin Evans #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a carry in the second quarter of an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

WORSE: OPPOSING TEAMS COMPLETION PERCENTAGE

TOM BRADY CARVES UP SECONDARY

In week four against the Giants the Buccaneers did a good job of containing Eli and his top receivers allowing him to only complete 30 of his 49 passes for 61% completions for an average length of 5.9 yards with a long of 42 yards with Beckham, Engram, Shepard, and Marshall the targets catching 24 passes.

Eli’s two touchdown passes went to a tight end and a running back and being that it was a back and forth game the Buccaneers secondary with the return of Brent Grimes from injury did a good job of keeping Eli and the receivers from connecting on passes.

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The Buccaneers had problems with opposing quarterback completion percentages so far this season allowing 68% completions so being able to contain Eli with what some believe is the top receiver in the league in OBJ to 61% was a large feat.

Now on to the week five performance against Tom Brady and the Patriots and with the injuries to the Buccaneers top two linebackers, Brady basically threw it into the middle of the field all game with 34 of his 40 attempt occurring in middle completing 26 of them (76%) for 210 of his 303 yards and his one touchdown pass.
He completed a total of 30 of his 40 pass attempts (75%) for 303 yards one touchdown and one interception while completing passes to only five different receivers with a long of 34 yards for an average of 7.6 yards per pass.

As Belichick is good at doing he game planned for what the Buccaneers weakness was on defense and discovered that without their top two linebackers (Alexander and David) playing that the backups would have trouble covering the short passes, and that is exactly what they did although the defense stepped up enough only allowing one touchdown.

Now it’s time to take a look at some trends good, bad, or maybe even surprising that I have noticed so far this season for the Buccaneers after their first four games.

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