As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare to take on the Green Bay Packers, look for running back Peyton Barber to take on a larger role in the absence of Doug Martin.
Peyton Barber had a somewhat respectable game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in last week’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. His yardage wasn’t there, nor were his yards per carry – five rushes for seven yards, 1.4 yards per carry – but he had the ball in goal line situations and found his way into the end zone twice.
Doug Martin will miss the game against Green Bay having not cleared the concussion protocol. Therefore, it will be the combination of Jacquizz Rodgers and Barber. If the Bucs are able to move the ball effectively, Barber will see more goal-to-go carries and play the role of “power back” against the eleventh ranked run defense in the NFL.
Charles Sims will surely be the third down back again this week, for what reason we really still don’t know. Sims hasn’t provided much of anything except telegraphing to the defense exactly what’s about to happen.
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Barber will be getting the start for the Buccaneers, so don’t be surprised if by game’s end, Barber has more carries – or at the very least, more snaps – than Rodgers.
I’m not saying that Barber is going to take the league by storm in Lambeau. His career high in yards is 84 against the 49ers last season. However, with Jameis Winston returning from injury – and with Ali Marpet and Demar Dotson now on IR – the Bucs will need to rely heavily on the run game. Using Barber as that power back to wear the defense down can help create late game opportunities for the Buccaneers’ offense.
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Expect modest stats from Barber in this one, but look for him to get the crucial short yardage and goal line carries that can help move the chains and get the ball in the end zone.