The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were embarrassed by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football earlier this week, but the 41-31 loss on the scoreboard is insignificant. Both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin left the game with injuries that will keep them out for the foreseeable future, which has thrown a wrench in the team's offensive strategy, to say the least.
Godwin is lost for the season with a dislocated ankle, while Evans suffered a hamstring injury that will sideline him until Week 12 at the earliest.
Baker Mayfield has heavily relied on Evans and Godwin throughout his Bucs career. Entering week eight, Chris Godwin is second in the NFL in receiving yards, while Evans is tied for the league lead in touchdowns. The duo had both been playing Pro Bowl-caliber football before they suffered their injuries on Monday night.
There is no way around it; the loss of Evans and Godwin is utterly devastating for the Buccaneers. Not only are they two of the best players on the team, but they are even better people. The loss of their combined leadership on the field cannot be overstated.
Still, the Buccaneers remain in contention for the NFC South title, and the expectations for this team shouldn't change. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen has a tall task ahead of him, but by properly readjusting the offense to fit the team's current circumstances, it is possible to keep the ship afloat until Evans returns later this season.
Buccaneers new offensive identity without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin might be a blessing in disguise
An unexpected strength for the Buccaneers this season has been their potent running back stable of Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker.
Coming into this season, the Bucs had finished dead last in rushing offense in back-to-back seasons (89 YPG in 2023, 77 YPG in 2022). Through seven games in 2024, the Buccaneers are seventh in the NFL, averaging 135 rushing yards per game. That is a drastic improvement from the team's abysmal rushing attacks of yesteryear, and Liam Coen deserves a lot of credit for that.
Going into Monday's matchup, the Ravens were the NFL's strongest rushing defense, surrendering just 59 yards per game and only three yards per carry. The Buccaneers rushed for 125 yards against the Ravens, gaining 4.2 yards per carry. If the Bucs can find success against the Ravens' stifling rushing defense, they can do it against any opponent.
With Trey Palmer, Sterling Sheperd and Jalen McMillan now starting at receiver, there is less proven depth at the position, and the team needs to adapt accordingly. The running back trio has proven that they can serve as the offense's focal point going forward. Having three capable players in the backfield allows them to split carries and remain fresh late in games, wearing down opposing defenses and controlling the time of possession in the process.
Bucky Irving, the Bucs' rookie fifth-round draft pick, has quickly become the leader of the running back stable and looks to be a star in he making. He leads the team in carries, and is averaging 5.2 yards per carry along with three touchdowns.
White, the veteran of the young running back room, is averaging just 3.7 yards per carry but has become a reliable target as a receiving option out of the backfield for Mayfield. White is the Bucs' fourth leading receiver with 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns through seven games. Mayfield trusts White as a receiving option, and perhaps the offense will find more creative ways to utilize White in the passing game going forward.
Sean Tucker, an undrafted free agent in 2023, is finally having his long-awaited breakout. Tucker has a small sample size, having taken just a third of the carries of Irving and White this season, but he has taken advantage of his limited opportunities with a robust 8.2 yards per carry. The coaching staff has clearly been impressed with Tucker's emergence, as they have made it a priority to get him involved in recent weeks.
The losses of Evans and Godwin are significant, but it doesn't have to be a death sentence for the Buccaneers. If the team relies on Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker as a dynamic "thunder and lightning" rushing duo, and continues to utilize Rachaad White as a receivng option where he shines, the offense can continue to have success despite the loss of their star receivers.
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