Long-time respected NFL analyst and former player Ryan Clark had some harsh feedback for the Bucs on Thursday morning. On "First Take" with Cam Newton, Stephen A. Smith, and Shae Cornette, Clark said the Bucs aren't Super Bowl contenders at all with how they've played recently, and he's right.
Clark's biggest critique of the Bucs is the inability to stop the big play. "If Todd Bowles defensively can't figure out a way to stop the big play, this team can't compete with the top of the NFC," Clark said.
The Bucs defense has certainly caught the big play bug and cannot stop it. In Week 11, Tampa Bay allowed a 25, 43, and 53-yard touchdown pass. The Bucs allowed eight total plays of 20+ yards, but this trend doesn't last more than just one week.
In Week 11 against the Patriots, the Bucs' defense allowed a 72-yard touchdown pass and rushing touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards each. Tampa Bay allowed six plays of 19+ yards, including four of 55+.
In Week 10, the Saints mustered only one 20+ yard play, but in Week 9, the same problem arose. The Lions created six plays of 20+ yards, including a 78-yard touchdown run.
Clark is right, allowing massive plays every game is a problem that Todd Bowles can't seem to stop. It doesn't help that the Bills and Patriots are top three in explosive play rate, but it won't get any easier in Week 12 against the Rams.
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The Rams boast the fourth-highest explosive play rate, and have two elite receivers to focus on. Puka Nacua and Davonte Adams lead the receiving core in every statistical category, and average 11+ yards per touch.
The problem is, the Bucs defense doesn't just allow explosive plays through the passing game. Elite running backs have diced up Tampa Bay's defense lately, and Los Angeles has a strong run game, which has been explosive lately. In Week 11, Rams starting back Kyren Williams had 13 touches for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Moving forward, the Bucs must figure out how to stop the big play, and it starts this Sunday. If they can't figure it out the rest of the way, the Super Bowl is certainly in doubt, and Bowles will be the one to blame.