Buccaneers’ Lavonte David: 2017 Week 10 Player of the Game

The Buccaneers finally broke their five game losing streak in Week 10 of the 2017 season by defeating the New York Jets 15-10.

With the victory, the Buccaneers advanced to 3-6 on the season. One which has largely been disappointing.

If there is one player on this team who hasn’t been a disappointment, it’s weak-side linebacker Lavonte David.

It was his singular performance this week however, which has led us to naming David as the Week 10 Game Plank recipient as the Buccaneers’ Player of the Game.

With a stat line of seven tackles, one assist and a fumble recovery, David was the undisputed leader of the defense on the field in this one.

Looking deeper in the numbers though, we really get to see just how clutch this player is.

Four of his tackles stopped the Jets offense with gains of one yard or less, including two stops behind the line of scrimmage.

Early in the game, New York quarterback Josh McCown completed a pass to receiver Jermaine Kearse on third and fifteen. The Bucs defense has struggled all season allowing the highest percentage of third-down conversions coming into the week.

While the Jets gained 13-yards on the play, it was David who made the stop short of the first down marker with the help of defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.

The play came on the visiting team’s second possession of the game, in a still scoreless match-up, and a conversion would have given McCown’s offense a new set of downs beyond midfield had the stop not been made.

Later, with the game certainly still undecided, David again stepped up for his team by stopping running back Bilal Powell for no gain on a third and one running play.

One Jets possession later, again on third down, fellow linebacker Kwon Alexander forced a fumble by Powell which David promptly scooped up and headed towards the end zone with. An erroneous whistle by the officiating crew blew the play dead unfortunately, or David’s good day would have been even better.

Next: Immediate Observations from Week 10 Win

Something which doesn’t record on the stat sheet though, is how well David contributed to pass coverage.

His defense surpassed their best game attacking the quarterback in Week 10 by far, and it was the coverage abilities of players like David who helped force McCown into holding the ball long enough for the pass rush to get home.

The Buccaneers defense had five sacks on the day, and while David didn’t record one himself, his contributions across the board and throughout the day certainly earned him this honor. One he’ll surely be no stranger to moving forward.

How do you feel about Lavonte David’s performance?

"Check out the latest PewterCast InstantCast Call In Show following the Bucs’ Week 10 Win!"

Comment, find me on Facebook, Twitter, or email me at walkingtheplankpodcast@gmail.com to discuss this, the Buccaneers, and send me all your fantasy football questions throughout the season.