After a frustrating Week 1 loss characterized by self-inflicted wounds, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to bounce back in Week 2 as they host the Cleveland Browns for the home opener at Raymond James Stadium.
The Browns are one of the most dysfunctional teams in the NFL and are coming off a 34-10 blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in their season opener. On paper, this looks like the perfect get-right game for the Buccaneers to earn their first “W” of the year.
But regardless of how bad their opponent might be, the Buccaneers aren’t beating anyone until they clean up their own mistakes. Here are three issues Tampa Bay must address to avoid beating themselves again in Week 2.
3 things the Tampa Bay Buccaneers must fix before facing the Cleveland Browns
Stop giving the ball away
It’s hard to beat any team when you’re turning the ball over four times offensively. Baker Mayfield was the main culprit, with three fumbles lost.
As the franchise quarterback, Mayfield can’t single-handedly lose his team games like he did in Week 1. He needs to do a much better job protecting the football and avoid gifting the opponent extra possessions and points.
That being said — it was a bit of a fluke. Mayfield had never had three fumbles during his stint with the Buccaneers, and he’s unlikely to have another. If he plays smarter, safer football, it would go a long way in helping the Buccaneers get in the win column.
Get Alex Anzalone a new pair of cleats
Alex Anzalone was a major liability on defense in the season opener. He seemed to be slipping all over the field, as every time the ball was in his vicinity, the camera showed him on the ground.
He had several missed tackles and wasn’t much better in coverage — where he gave up a touchdown.
Despite being the worst player on defense, he was the only defender to play 100% of the snaps. That won’t change anytime soon, as Anzalone wears the green dot and calls the defense. He’s been given a major role on this team, and they can’t afford him to have another miserable performance.
The equipment staff should do their part by getting the veteran a better pair of cleats, that way he can stay on his feet and make plays, rather than spend much of the afternoon on the turf.
Get the pass rush going
The Buccaneers’ revamped pass rush had quite the hype train all offseason long, but that came to a screeching halt in Week 1.
According to PFF, Joe Burrow was the NFL’s least pressured quarterback throughout opening weekend, with the Buccaneers generating pressure on just 19% of pass attempts. He was sacked just once, and it was on a blitz by inside linebacker Josiah Trotter.
Between Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, Yaya Diaby and Rueben Bain Jr., there’s no excuse for the pass rush to be such a non-factor.
Todd Bowles’ defensive philosophy relies on making opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable, and the Bucs will need much more from their defensive front if this defense is going to meet expectations in 2026.
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