Buccaneers: Preview for most important game since 2003
By Rob Leeds
Recipes for success and disaster
Success
Passing on first down
The Bucs’ biggest issue in the past two matchups with the Saints has been the inability to set up the offense. For a team that has taken pride in their offensive success and added Tom Brady to further that strength, the Bucs have been embarrassed on this front by the Saints.
Running on first down and low-percentage throws have hampered the Buccaneer offensive efficiency, and they need to rectify that in this game to pull out a win.
Tampa Bay has to be ready to throw the ball early to establish the run later on, not the other way around. If the Bucs try to come out and run the ball early, the game could be over in the first quarter.
No more zone coverage
If the Buccaneers try to run the ball on first down and sit in zone coverage against Brees, the score could be 21-0 early in the Saints’ favor. The Bucs have been annihilated on the defense front when not using man coverage, and Drew Brees and Sean Payton are the type of duo to take full advantage of a mistake like this.
Zone rarely ever works against smart, accurate quarterbacks. Brees may be in a category of his own on that front, so zone coverage as a means to slow him down is extremely counter-intuitive.
The Buccaneers’ only hope of keeping New Orleans out of the end zone is to run man coverage the entire game. Anything else will lead to the end of the Bucs’ time in the playoffs.
Disaster
Playing timid
The Bucs have been far too risk-averse in big games so far this season. It is a new team with several rookies and younger players in key roles, but the Bucs haven’t made it this far by playing safe. Punting on fourth and short and playing not to lose will only lead to another loss.
Over-estimating the run game
Leonard Fournette deserves to start this game for the Buccaneers. He looked great in the win versus Washington and was a massive part of that victory, but that does not mean the Buccaneers need to try to establish the run.
Fournette has assuredly earned more touches in the biggest game of the season, but the Bucs should try to make that happen through the air above all else because running the ball will only slow down the offense.