Bucs vs. Falcons: Most Disappointing Players In Week 5

After two straight home losses, the Bucs finally put together enough plays to secure a 21-15 win over the Falcons. It wasn’t pretty and one thing is for sure: The Bucs’ running game and run defense clearly haven’t been fixed. There were some chances early on for some players to show they can be incorporated into the offense, but they failed to seize them. Meanwhile, costly penalties also filled up the day.

Here are the most disappointing players from the Bucs’ Week 5 win over the Falcons:

Luke Goedeke

On the very first play of the game, Goedeke was overwhelmed by Grady Jarrett. The Falcons’ defensive tackle blew right by him into the backfield, forcing Tom Brady to throw the ball away. Then, on a 14-yard gain by Leonard Fournette on the next play, the rookie guard was tossed to the ground. Goedeke settled down a bit in the second half, but with the team trying to start fast out of the gate, he needs to do a better job. As the game was winding down, Goedeke had a particularly brutal pass protection rep where he allowed Brady to get taken down for a would-be sack if not for a roughing the passer penalty.

Kyle Rudolph

Bucs TE Kyle Rudolph and QB Tom Brady – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Active for the second time this season in place of the inured Cam Brate, Rudolph was targeted early on the first drive. Brady delivered a catchable ball to the veteran tight end, but he let it go right through his hands. That stalled the drive, and Rudolph wasn’t a factor at all for the rest of the afternoon.

Ko Kieft

Kieft had a holding penalty on the third drive of the game that effectively took the offense out of the red zone and put it in a 1st & 20 scenario. Tampa Bay went on to score a touchdown, but the penalty could’ve been costly.

Shaq Mason

A false start penalty by Mason took the Bucs out of the red zone and put them into a third-and-long situation. Thankfully, the Bucs converted for the first down, but they only got three points on the drive.

Vita Vea

Vea picked up a roughing the passer call that was avoidable and set the Falcons up at the Bucs 25-yard line. Atlanta would ultmately miss the field goal attempt, but it was nearly a costly penalty by the veteran nose tackle. He was also part of a defensive front at gave up 151 yards rushing. Vea did register a sack late in the victory.

Bucs Run Defense

Bucs HC Todd Bowles & Co-DC Larry Foote – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

For the second game in a row, the Bucs gave up over 100 yards on the ground. Even down by 21 points, the Falcons did not shy away from the ground game and pounded out 151 yards rushing. On Thursday, Bucs defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said it was easily correctable and just a technique and fundamentals issue. Someone should tell that to the Bucs’ D-line, which has let up 578 rushing yards on the year.

Bucs Rushing Attack

It’s been four weeks since the Bucs have crossed the 100-yard rushing threshold as a team. In fact, in the last three games, the team has totaled just 109 yards on the ground. The team has spoken about wanting to find balance, but through five games, it has struggled to do so and I’m not sure there is a quick fix for the offense.

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