Buccaneers Player of the Game: Week 11 Game Plank Recipient
The Buccaneers already had one streak this season, and now they’ve begun another. Following their win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 11, Tampa Bay has two straight victories to bring their record up to 4-6.
Nobody is claiming the Buccaneers are playoff bound at this point, but seeing some wins in November has softened the earlier frustrations a bit. Just a bit.
It wasn’t a pretty win, but a win is a win, and there are no style points in the NFL.
James Yarcho and I will have our thoughts on how this game was won later on in the week, but for now, it’s time to reward the biggest catalyst to this win: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy!
Our co-expert Game Plank in the #Bucs win over Miami this week goes to @Geraldini93 pic.twitter.com/BvfszHHtjD
— The Pewter Plank (@ThePewterPlank) November 20, 2017
On the stat sheet, McCoy came away with seven tackles and a single sack. However, his impact was much bigger than those seemingly modest numbers would lead you to believe.
Miami’s offense was able to get a few things going early, and opened the game with some splash plays. Specifically, running back Damien Williams left the first quarter with 76 rushing yards.
In the early part of the second quarter however, McCoy was able to stop the running back for a gain of just two yards on a 1st-and-20. The stop forced the Dolphins into an obvious passing situation on second down, where quarterback Jay Cutler was intercepted by Robert McClain as he tried to find receiver Devante Parker.
The Dolphins had taken the lead on their previous possession to this happening, and had an opportunity to grab strong momentum at home against the Bucs who have not played well on the road this year.
Following a missed Buccaneers field goal, it was once again on the defense to keep the game within manageable conditions. On the first play from scrimmage, Miami looked to get young running back Kenyan Drake involved with a run to the right side of their formation.
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McCoy broke through the line to get early penetration and was able to wrangle the athletic young back down for a six-yard loss on the play. This would set-up an eventual punt by the Dolphins, giving the Bucs the ball back with a chance to re-gain the lead midway through the second quarter.
If you watched the game, you certainly know how the second half relied solely on the defense to keep the Bucs in position to win the contest. With their offense struggling, McCoy and his fellow defenders were able to keep the dam from breaking just enough.
It wasn’t easy though, but effort is a huge part of leadership. On 3rd-and-11, backup quarterback Matt Moore connected with receiver Kenny Stills.
While the play went for eighteen yards and a frustrating first down, the fact McCoy was in on the stop showed his teammates just how much effort would be needed to close out their opponents.
It wasn’t the last time McCoy would impact the outcome of this game either. Later, in the fourth quarter, McCoy got his single sack on the quarterback on a key 2nd-and-9 play. On the following third down play, the All-Pro again disrupted the quarterback leading to an incomplete pass and Dolphins punt near midfield.
This week isn’t going to win anyone any style points, but the defense did contain the Dolphins attack enough until the Buccaneers offense could figure things out again.
He may not be the meanest or the loudest player on the field, but McCoy came through when his team needed him, including in the fourth quarter.
For those efforts, and the results his plays created, Gerald McCoy is this week’s recipient of The Pewter Plank’s Game Plank.
How do you feel about McCoy’s performance? Do you think someone else deserved this week’s player of the game designation?
Next: Week 11 Immediate Reactions
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.
If you’d like to hear more Buccaneers discussion, be sure to check out the PewterCast’s InstantCast show for this week where several callers brought up the topic. Available on all major podcasting apps.