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Buccaneers Game Grades: 2017 Week 6 loss to Arizona Cardinals

By Philip Schwegler

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football after a reception past cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football after a reception past cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a pass while being tackled by Antoine Bethea #41 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a pass while being tackled by Antoine Bethea #41 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

After coming off a decent showing against the Patriots on Thursday Night Football, Doug Martin appeared to be getting back into the swing of football. After not playing for the first four weeks of the regular season, Martin needed reps to get going.

The bad thing here is that when your team is behind 21 points in the first quarter, the run game goes out the window.

I can’t blame Martin for not gaining more yards because the offensive line seemed to be manhandled at times. When lanes were opened, Martin found them.

There was one play that Martin busted through for an 11 yard run but was called back due to an offensive holding call on Donovan Smith. This penalty stalled an easy third and one attempt that resulted in a Fitzpatrick sack on third and eleven.

On the one big play for Martin, he ran for 27 yards before being tackled at the Arizona six. The lone touchdown for the running backs came from Martin on a one yard run up the middle to add to Tampa’s comeback.

Other than Martin’s 53 yards on 14 attempts and a touchdown, this group was very quiet.

Charles Sims accounted for 45 receiving yards on 4 receptions. 25 of those yards came off a short pass from Fitzpatrick before being pushed out of bounds by Bethea.

Overall, not a particularly great showing from the running backs.

Grade: C

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