Buccaneers Game Grades: 2017 Week 6 loss to Arizona Cardinals

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 8
Next
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Kicker Phil Dawson of the Arizona Cardinals kicks a field goal against 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: Kicker Phil Dawson of the Arizona Cardinals kicks a field goal against 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) /

On the Monday leading up to this week’s game, the Buccaneers hosted six kickers for a workout. The Buccaneers decided to bring back place kicker Patrick Murray.

Murray was used one other time during the game. His lone extra point attempt. The Bucs are desperate for a reliable kicker but showed no signs of trusting their new one on Sunday. I do understand that the Bucs played catch up the entire game, but this game would’ve been as good as ever to try your new player out.

Tampa Bay’s punter, Bryan Anger, continues to do his job very well. Of his four punts, three were within the 20 yard line. He averaged 38.5 yards per kick, a bit lower from last week, and his long was 45. Anger continues to be a weapon on this Buccaneers team week in and week out.

The coverage team has been playing well throughout these past five games. The lone kick return on the Arizona side of the ball was for 28 yards from the end zone.

Grade: A

Now that this game is behind us, the Buccaneers need to make some much needed adjustments if they want to win some of these next five road games. The schedule is not on the side of the Bucs down the stretch and playing to their potential should be priority number one.

Next: Stat Shot - Week Six

Philip Schwegler is a contributor for The Pewter Plank covering your Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Follow @PhilSchweg on Twitter for more of his work and on thepewterplank.com or on The Pewter Plank App.