Video: WFLA-Pewter Report – State Of The Bucs

Pewter Report’s Matt Matera joined WFLA sports anchor Dan Lucas for a segment on WFLA New Channel 8 to break down the Bucs as they spend some time off during their bye week.

Standing at 4-6 on the season, the Bucs have an uphill battle to make the postseason, but they’re in a good enough position to make a run down the stretch given their opponents remaining on the schedule. The Bucs may have to go 6-1 or even run the table and win out if they want to continue playing football after the regular season.

Bucs Offense Continues To Score Points At A High Level 

As Matera and Lucas discussed the Bucs offense, it’s commendable what offensive coordinator Liam Coen has been able to do considering Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have been out. The offense was averaging 30 points with their two best receivers, and it only dipped to 24 points points without them for the following two games.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Tampa Bay’s latest contest wasn’t the best outing only scoring 20, but Coen has done enough to find consistency within the group, turning tight end Cade Otton into a top receiving target and having the offense still be the strength of the team. Let’s not forget the running game either, or the fact that the Evans is coming back soon.

The main reason the Bucs have found success, though, is because of their quarterback Baker Mayfield. What Mayfield has shown that he’s a leader of the group and worth the contract that Tampa Bay gave him in the offseason. Mayfield has grit when it comes to playing quarterback. It’s not always perfect, but it’s exactly what Tampa Bay needs. One game he may throw for four touchdowns, the next he’s scrambling and takes a hit to get a first down and keep a drive going. He’s the reason this team is still in contention.

How Do The Bucs Fix Their Defense?

When it came to talking about the defense there were a couple of topics within the conversation. What every Bucs fan wants to know is what is wrong with Tampa Bay’s defense considering their second to last in yards allowed per game. A lot if is just overall assignments and making sure players are getting to the proper spots.

Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Inside linebacker K.J. Britt has looked lost playing in zone coverage. Young cornerbacks Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk are playing too far off the line of scrimmage, making for easy throw and completions for the opponents. Even veteran safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead have had miscommunications, but all of these things are fixable.

The pass rush is another story. They’re getting a ton of it from nose tackle Vita Vea and have seen it come on with Calijah Kancey since he’s come back from injury. It’s been completely absent, though, from their edge rushers and there were a lot of expectations on Yaya Diaby specifically. Can they turn it around after the bye? What’s the belief behind doing so? We get into what might make the Bucs go on a run and if Todd Bowles can do it for the team.

Watch Pewter Report On WFLA

Make sure to watch Matera’s appearance with Dan Lucas on WFLA by watching it on their YouTube channel. Pewter Report can also be seen with WFLA after every Bucs game on News Channel 8 for “Bucs Bonus” that takes place on Sunday evenings to recap the latest Bucs game.

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