4 steps to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers winning the NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 23: Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stiff arms Chidobe Awuzie #24 of the Dallas Cowboys on a carry in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 23: Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stiff arms Chidobe Awuzie #24 of the Dallas Cowboys on a carry in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The run game must take a gigantic leap

While the Buccaneers had a dynamic passing attack in 2019, the lack of running game last year caused teams to drop back into coverage and force Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick to have to throw into tight windows. This led to a ton of interceptions, sacks, and fumbles from the quarterback position a year ago.

The Buccaneers decided not to upgrade the offensive line to help the run game this offseason, but there is a belief that a change in blocking scheme will be the solution to unlocking the rushing attack this year. Should the Buccaneers get Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones rolling, then it will take a ton of pressure off of Winston and allow for more success in Tampa Bay.

If the run game is non-existent again this year, then the Buccaneers have no chance at winning the NFC South crown. Whether it is Barber, Jones, or some other third-party addition, Tampa Bay must hear the cannons go off with running backs standing in the endzone.

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So far Jones looks good in camp, but with no pads it is easy to standout. The running back situation in Tampa Bay will be a necessity to follow as the Buccaneers must get the attack rolling after averaging less than four yards per carry on the ground last season if they want to keep pace with the other teams in the NFC South.