The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Do statistics make a team for Buccaneers defense?

By Jacob Holley

Jordan Whitehead, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
Jordan Whitehead, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: Ndamukong Suh #93 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pics up a fumble by Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams and then runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Tampa Bay won 55-40. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: Ndamukong Suh #93 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pics up a fumble by Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams and then runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Tampa Bay won 55-40. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

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.

Next. Bruce Arians impact on Jameis Winston showing for Buccaneers. dark

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.

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