Buccaneers vs New York Jets: Game Changers for Week 10

Lavonte David

Lavonte David looks like one of the only players on the Buccaneer defense that still cares. That’s evident just by watching him fly all over the field to the ball. He is still making plays for a defense that badly needs turnovers in order to pose any sort of threat to opposing offenses. With his fourth forced fumble of the season last Sunday, he tied his career high. There’s still eight games to go. No. 54 is one of the best in the league at what he does, which is why he could be so important in Sunday’s game.

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Whether it’s stopping Bilal Powell and Matt Forte in the run game or covering the tight end (more on that later), David will be a factor in Sunday’s contest. Heading into the year, it looked like New York had one of the worst offensive rosters in football. Instead, the Jets are averaging 21.2 points per game. By contrast, the Bucs have only surpassed that mark four times in eight games. If the Tampa Bay defense continues to play relaxed and careless, New York will take advantage. We do know, though, that David never plays relaxed or careless. That’s a huge plus.

With the lack of pressure from the defensive line and the poor coverage in the secondary, the linebackers have been one of the lone bright spots for the Bucs this year. David is continuing to lead the charge, while Kwon Alexander is continuing to progress and Kendell Beckwith is impressing as a rookie. The group can hardly carry the entire load for Tampa Bay on defense, but it will surely do its best come Sunday. If there’s ever a question of effort from the defense, it’s not on the part of the linebackers. Especially not Lavonte David.