Improvements shown, more improving to do
But as a whole, the Buccaneers have shown steady improvements in the 2019 season. So is it too early to know for sure if this defense is for real? The short answer is yes. Four games is a small sample size.
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As of right now, the Buccaneers are first in rushing defense, meaning that they have allowed the least amount of rushing yards per game of any team in the NFL, and yes, that’s very good. However, the Bucs are also 31st in passing defense, allowing 318 yards per game through the air.
Looking only at those two statistics, one would believe that shoring up at defensive back should be a priority for Tampa Bay, especially with players like Jalen Ramsey on the trade block and D.J. Swearinger being waived by the Arizona Cardinals.
However, statistics can be misleading.
The Buccaneers led the league in passing yards per game last season; even though Ryan Fitzpatrick played the first four games of the season, nobody started crowning Jameis Winston the best quarterback in the league. This is because the Bucs threw 36 touchdowns and 26 interceptions, which is a bad touchdown to interception ratio; not every statistic is created equally.
Does that The question now becomes whether or not the Bucs can hold the Saints offense at bay under backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Only time will tell if this defense is for real, but their next real test is on Sunday in the Superdome. Look for the Buccaneers to try and dominate the line of scrimmage again on defense, as well as set up the passing game through solid running against a stingy Saints secondary.