The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to a 2-0 start with a pair of road victories. Despite this, there are three flaws that the team needs to fix quickly before they become fatal.
1. The pass rush needs to improve
Tampa Bay only has four sacks this season, and they have not been generating enough pressure up front. While they did manage three sacks against CJ Stroud on Monday Night, it felt like too often, Tampa Bay was leaving sacks on the field. The Texans offensive line is horrendous, and Tampa Bay didn't take advantage enough. That was after managing just one sack against the Falcons in Week 1.
2. The Offensive line needs to protect Mayfield
Baker Mayfield, on the other hand, was constantly under pressure against the Houston Texans. He's been sacked five times, tied for the 12th most in the NFL. He had to escape multiple sacks against the Texans, and at times looked like he was scrambling for his life.
Mayfield has proven he can escape the pocket and make plays even when he is under pressure. But after seeing Joe Burrow go down for the season, Tampa Bay's offensive line should double their efforts not to let anything happen to their quarterback.
3. Special teams needs to get buttoned up
In Week 1, kicker Chase McLaughlin missed a field goal and a crucial extra point that gave Atlanta a chance to tie the game in their final drive. In Week 2, he missed another field goal. He's 2-for-4 so far this year, which is simply not good enough.
Kicking is not the only place Tampa's special teams needs to improve. Punter Riley Dixon had a punt blocked by Houston with six minutes left in the game, which set up the Texans for a field goal to bring the game within one point.
As if that wasn't enough special teams mishaps, on Dixon's next punt, Tampa Bay allowed a 51-yard return that set up the Texans' go-ahead touchdown.
Tampa Bay needs to get it's special teams buttoned up to prevent any more mishaps in the future.