Buccaneers Game Grades: 2017 Week 7 loss to Buffalo Bills

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks towards the sideline during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks towards the sideline during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 11: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with teammates after rushing for a one-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter of the game against at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 11: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with teammates after rushing for a one-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter of the game against at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Doug Martin was the focus back during the Bucs contest against the Bills. He finished the day with 20 carries for only 49 yards.

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Don’t let the numbers fool you. There were more yards to be gotten, but running lanes seemed to close at times or Martin wasn’t patient enough to wait for one. His most explosive play was for eleven yards earlier in the game which didn’t result in much during that particular drive.

The Bills came into Sunday as one the top defenses in the league. For that reason, I didn’t expect much out of the run game. It seems as if Martin is sort of in his 2016 form rather than his 2015 form. It’s still to early to tell, but if the Bucs want to survive the rest of the season.

As for the rest of the running backs the only player that really contributed was Charles Sims, but that had more to with the passing game rather than the running game.

Not much explosiveness from this group this week.

Grade: C-

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