When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers started the season 0-4, the disappointing play of the offensive line was a storyline that wouldn't go away.
Through the first four weeks, the Bucs gave up a league-leading 16 sacks, and the run game struggled to find its footing.
But things have changed dramatically over the last month. The Buccaneers have won three of their last four games, fueled by dominant stretch from their offensive line and running game. After allowing 16 sacks through the first four games, they’ve allowed just six over the last four. Tampa Bay’s offensive line is finally looking like the elite unit everyone expected it to be.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive line has silenced the doubters
The Buccaneers’ offensive line delivered their magnum opus in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Playing through a torrential downpour at Raymond James Stadium, the Bucs leaned exclusively on the run game, piling up a whopping 324 yards, a franchise record and the most rushing yards by any team this season.
They were able to topple the Falcons an their fourth-ranked rushing defense without completing a single pass — something that hasn’t been done since 1974.
That performance came just a week after rushing for 258 yards against the Carolina Panthers.
The Buccaneers now boast the NFL’s No. 1 rushing offense, averaging 168 yards per game.
Starting right tackle Luke Goedeke heard all the early criticism of the Bucs’ offensive line, and he’s taking a well-deserved victory lap after the unit’s dominant performances.
"I love would love for someone to put on the tape and tell me how we're a bad O-Line."
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) November 1, 2026
I fiery Luke Goedeke after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers set a new franchise record for rushing yards. Graham Barton even snuck a question in.
(We'll give Luke a pass on the F bomb)#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/TJoFMLWdW6
"Everyone heard the crap about how apparently we’re a f***ing horrible — excuse my French — a horrible O-Line. I would love for someone to put on the tape and tell me how we're a bad O-Line," said Goedeke.
Goedeke didn’t hold back in his response to critics, and it’s clear this unit takes a lot of pride in their performance. They’re at the forefront of the Buccaneers’ winning formula as this team leans into a physical, smash-mouth identity that wants to run the ball down opponents throats.
The Buccaneers find themselves just a half-game out of first place with head-to-head tiebreakers over the Panthers and Falcons. The path to a division title is crystal clear, and if Tampa Bay wants to become just the second team in NFL history to make the playoffs after a 1-5 start, they’ll need the offensive line to continue playing at an elite level.
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