The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season-opening loss as they take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 2.
The Bucs’ Week 1 loss to the Bengals exposed some weaknesses that Tampa Bay must address if they want to get back on track and play winning football.
The Browns are coming off a loss of their own — a 34-10 drubbing at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Through one week, Cleveland looks like one of the NFL’s worst teams, and if the Buccaneers follow these three keys to victory, they'll be in position to cruise to victory against an inferior Browns team.
3 keys to victory for Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cleveland Browns
Avoid turnovers
In last week’s keys to victory, I wrote that Baker Mayfield must protect the football, as any giveaways would be detrimental against a quality Bengals team. Well, the Buccaneers turned the ball over four times, including three fumbles by Mayfield, and paid the price in a 33-27 loss.
Mayfield can’t allow history to repeat itself. In the NFL, you can’t turn the ball over multiple times and expect to win, regardless of who your opponent is. Mayfield needs to play clean, mistake-free football for his team this week if Tampa Bay is going to defeat Cleveland.
Get pressure on Deshaun Watson
The most disappointing development to come out of Week 1 for the Buccaneers was that their revamped pass rush was a non-factor in its much-anticipated debut.
Per Pro Football Focus, Joe Burrow was the NFL’s least-pressured quarterback in Week 1. If that trend continues, it will seriously limit the ceiling for this defense.
Deshaun Watson was sacked five times in the Browns’ season opener. The Buccaneers have an opportunity to get their pass rush going against Cleveland, and a disruptive pass rush will go a long way toward helping them get in the win column.
Cover the tight end
The Buccaneers actually did an admirable job containing Cincinnati’s wide receivers in Week 1. Ja’Marr Chase was limited to just 12 yards while Tee Higgins was held to 59 yards.
The trade-off? Tight end Mike Gesicki recorded five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown, and seemed to be running wide open all afternoon.
Browns tight end Harold Fannin was impressive as a rookie with 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns. If the Bucs fail to cover Fannin the way they did against Gesicki, he could become a major factor in Cleveland’s passing attack.
Add us as a preferred source on Google