Defense Showed Up
November 19th, 2017
Solid results.
Don’t blame the defense for the Bucs not putting this game away in the second half.
The Bucs forced four turnovers in the first half, three by bratty Jay Cutler. It should have been a blowout.
Instead, the Bucs — remember, the team had a backup quarterback running the offense with the usual absence of a running game — kept the Dolphins in the game. As is usually the case, when you let a team hang around, it bites you in the arse.
Consider prior to today the Bucs defense coughed up an average of 33 points a game on the road. It was a hideous mark, just a fraction away from being the worst in the NFL.
But when the defense needed a stop today, it got one. Especially in the fourth quarter. Stopping the Dolphins on fourth-and-one was special. Bet somewhere, Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks were smiling.
So props to the defense for playing good when they needed to. On the road. They did just enough in the fourth quarter to give the offense a chance to win, which it did.
November 19th, 2017 at 4:39 pm
Pass coverage is pathetic AF!
November 19th, 2017 at 4:42 pm
They stood up ok, but WTF was it? Like 5-6 plays over 30 yards?
That’s just ridiculous.
We won but we still suck.
Go Bucs!
November 19th, 2017 at 4:42 pm
We get the run game going and it opens up the pass… all of the best teams figure out how to get the ground game going. If want that, we so desperately need to rekindle that run game flame that use to set opposing defenses ablaze just thinking about facing us… bad win, but a win is a win is a win … GO BUCS.
November 19th, 2017 at 4:43 pm
The *Jay Cutler* showed up.
Fixed that headline for ya Joe.
November 19th, 2017 at 4:44 pm
JUST say it joe I know it’s hard for u , props to swaggy baker , he ran so fast off the field after the play . . . , I haven’t seen him run so fast since there was a chicken wing hanging from a tree in training camp
November 19th, 2017 at 4:45 pm
Have to be the worst team in the league on 3rd and long. It’s incredible really.
November 19th, 2017 at 4:45 pm
“Don’t blame the defense for the Bucs not putting this game away in the second half.”
Actually, DO blame them. Everything they did was in the first half…until that last play. By essence, that means they did not play well in the second half.
November 19th, 2017 at 4:45 pm
Sunny:
Haha. 🙂
November 19th, 2017 at 4:47 pm
This defense sucks!
3rd & whatever you want baby.
November 19th, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Just wait until they play a real team.
November 19th, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Worst defense ever. Cutler gifted them two of those interceptions. The tipped one is the only earned one. This is a seriously lame attempt to even make them look good. You forgot to mention the 61 yard pass to tie the game. Moore comes off the bench and does in two quarters what Mr. Magoo normally does in a game.
November 19th, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Coaches look like they got tight in that 2nd half. Seemed to get real conservative.
November 19th, 2017 at 4:49 pm
That prevent defense will prevent you from winning every time.
November 19th, 2017 at 4:55 pm
We were up by freaking seven points and had the Dolphins pinned in their own territory with 3rd and ten…how did we preserve the win…we freaking give up the tying TD on 3rd and 10!!!! A long bomb at that.
The defense allowed the Dolphins to convert how many 3rd and tens or longer?
It’s just getting disgusting. These losers simply cannot get off the field on 3rd down. Yeah then they finally turn in ONE big stop at the end…kudos…but you don’t get to suck all game…make a big play at the end and then start bragging.
The TEAM won this contest…neither side…offense or defense was great but they were good enough. And Im starting to side with the guys claiming Koetter is making it much harder with his beyond conservative and stooopid play calling.
November 19th, 2017 at 4:56 pm
Coaches look better….team looks better….all without Winston. Somehow Winston managed to make himself look worse….while not even playing. We win three in a row without him, its going to be interesting to see how long that shoulder needs to “heal”.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Yeah joe… the stat line is an illusion. the defense is terrible. then DK has the audacity to go conservative like the defense can stop anything. The coaches almost lost this game on offense and defense. something has to be done with the playcalling on both sides
November 19th, 2017 at 5:05 pm
3 words….Jay Freaking Cutler
November 19th, 2017 at 5:05 pm
Really? Lame a$$ Fins QB’s threw for 365 yards and that’s good defense?
November 19th, 2017 at 5:06 pm
Pass coverage was awful.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:07 pm
Joebucsfan getting biased toward Koetter regime. Same old vanilla Mike Smith defense. Blitz works well last week, bail on this this week. Mike Smith/defense lets Moore dominate. Let’s see how that plays out next week lol smh.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:07 pm
So many fools!!!!!! We all watch the lines struggle, and people are still complaining ” play-calling”????
wait until the off-season to see them “address” the “Real” problems!!!!!!
Great win today, as they stole one on the road!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!
November 19th, 2017 at 5:08 pm
Bobby M, that was a pathetic comment. The fact is we played two horrible teams my grandmother could probably beat. The defense has looked like it has a pulse the last two games actually forcing turnovers. We have a kicker also who actually makes FGs and XPs. JW had nothing to do with any of that.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:10 pm
I’m not giving that defense a pass….the third & long conversions were sickening….
Koettere almost lost the game for us with his playcalling again…..we moved the ball well in the first half between the 20s….but Koetter likes to run too much in the red zone……passing is what got us there and passing is what will get us 7 instead of 3.
He also got way too conservative in the 2nd half and forced 3 & outs with the run, run, pass punt offense he usually runs.
Fitz did great managing the game….no stupid plays….no turnovers….very efficient.
Placalling really a problem….turn our team loose, Coach!!!
November 19th, 2017 at 5:11 pm
Are you kidding with that article. The buccaneers 2nd half defense was awful. We are last in the NFL on third down defense. They give up 46 percent of first downs on third down. Today I believe the percentage in third down was over 50 percent … That is truly unimaginable…. focus on what occurred in the 2nd half once coaches make adjustments at halftime. Our staff is terrible at making adjustments … Murray was the difference. We lose that game if our GM continues to make decisions on kickers. Credit to the admistrative assistant who found Murray and made the suggestion to bring him to the a Buccaneers.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:11 pm
Yes, the OL cannot run-block, but the play-calling is poor as well. Defenses look like they were in our huddle on about a third of the calls. No reason an OLB should be running out into the flat before the RB starts heading there.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:17 pm
@Realist
As if that were an excuse. Koetter is on record numerous times endorsing this offensive line. And whether you are willing to admit it, Koetter has had WAAAAAAAAAAAAY too many of his signature Run, Run, Incompletion, Punt drives this year.
And it’s because he calls the game like he’s scared for his life.
We are NEVER going to do anything meaningful with a coach who has more fear of losing inside of him than desire to win.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
@Blake
I’m not sure why DK doesn’t open this offense up. We honestly have to because the defense will crack. He calls plays like the defense is stout.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
Defense gave up at least 4 plays of 50+ yards
November 19th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
How about the corners not lining up 10 yds. off the flipping wide receiver? Why oh why can we not play press coverage? Maddening is an understatement!
November 19th, 2017 at 5:25 pm
3rd down and forever… first down Dolphins. Seemed like every time. They still need to get off the field
November 19th, 2017 at 5:31 pm
mcclain is a liability on the field. tj ward can’t tackle for $hit.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:49 pm
We are not the only team with OL deficiencies….we are actually probably average.
We have a running back who is so slow he couldn’t outrun the Dolphin Cheerleaders.
But whatever the cause for the running woes a good coach makes due. Don Shula would have figured something out. Dinking and dunking is another form of a run game. We have two EXCELLENT TE’S….three really good WR’s and Sims who can catch out of the backfield.
We can ALL see these things!!! We can’t run it so get creative with short passes. We can’t rush the passer so get creative with blitzes.
Shula did not always have loaded teams. He won with great QB’s and really average QB’s…with great RB’s and some not so great….but Shula always knew “his guys” as Koetter calls them and game planned accordingly. I just get the feeling that once again we have coaches who have THEIR way and if the players can’t execute…well tough that’s the players. NO not after awhile when there are no adjustments.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:52 pm
interesting defense:
Greg AumanVerified account @gregauman
1m1 minute ago
Bucs gave up 448 yards in win over Dolphins today — half of that offense came on four plays: 45, 49, 61 and 69 yards. Those four plays came on drives that yielded just one touchdown and two field goals …
November 19th, 2017 at 5:52 pm
It should tell the Buc’s coaches and management that the fans are almost in full revolt!!! They are getting tired of this stuff. If we tried some new things and they didn’t work…well at least we tried…but I am SICK of turning and handing off to the Muscle Turtle!!! It’s a wasted play most of the time. Hit a TE or DJAX or ME across the middle. We must have the smallest playbook in the league.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:59 pm
No, not really. The Dolphins are a mess and may be the worst team in football right now
November 19th, 2017 at 6:35 pm
Honestly, Bucs were lucky as hell Moore didn’t play the first half. He would of lit up the Defense to shreds!
November 19th, 2017 at 6:39 pm
That 4th and 1 was beautiful. I haven’t seen that in a long time man. Damn that was nice!
November 19th, 2017 at 6:54 pm
Once again no pass rush! Thanks Jason Licht!
November 19th, 2017 at 6:59 pm
Yeah pass rush sucked too. Bucs were very lucky Moore didn’t play the first half!!
November 19th, 2017 at 7:09 pm
Are you friekin kidding me right now? SOLID???? WTH ARE YOU WATCHING??!!!
I watched the most maddening, depressing, mind numbing second half of football imaginable. These zone schemes are played so loose. How many times do you see our corners 12 yards deep on 3rd and 4?
November 19th, 2017 at 7:15 pm
Matt moore drove down the field with ease and killed the time of possession. Why cant the corners play closer and tighter? If there are two safties ready to roll the coverage why are the corners not disrupting the timing at the line? This is just elementary bullsht.
November 19th, 2017 at 8:06 pm
Defense plaedy ok. They went to slep there in the 3rd qyr though. Keep playin Defense Smitty and you will keep your job. If not, you and Koetter are gonna be joinin Schiano and Lovie Dubbie on the St Pete Bridge!
November 19th, 2017 at 8:11 pm
If you are unhappy with the win and think we still suck then go pick another team. Go. Every win is a good win. Go Bucs!
November 19th, 2017 at 8:31 pm
I love our team but I’m not always in love with the results. Does that make me a bad fan. We simply did not play that well. Miami is simply dumber and worse than us….and that’s saying quite a bit
November 19th, 2017 at 8:58 pm
I don’t think we watched the same game Joes. That defense is hot garbage. Yeah that caught a couple of good passes that Cutler threw strikes to, but they gave up a ton of big plays and couldn’t stop them on third down.
November 19th, 2017 at 9:16 pm
Every team won’t give us that many gifts…. hope they show up next week….GO BUCS!!!!
November 19th, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Matt Moore looked like the second coming of All World Buc Killer Case Keenum, and I think that he passed for more yards in one half than Fitz passed in the entire game! Still, lurker via Greg Auman’s got it right. Re-watching the game, the defense gave up several big pass and run plays as the Fins moved up and down the field, but they held the Fins to mostly field goals. Bend-don’t-break defense worked in this “Case”!
November 19th, 2017 at 9:27 pm
Not to mention 17 penalties and 5 turnovers by the Fins helped!
November 19th, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Love how Ward complains of playing time, then proceeds to look worse than Conte out there when he plays. Play some Tandy for God’s sake.
November 19th, 2017 at 10:09 pm
We win and people still find reasons to complain. Why do you all have so much hate? Yeah our team isn’t great. They aren’t winning a Super Bowl. But what’s wrong with enjoying a win. We haven’t seen many of these, have you all forgotten how to celebrate a win?
November 19th, 2017 at 11:14 pm
Yeah, no matter how they get down played by some, THEY PLAYED! Especially the 1st half. Season might be over but keep playing to win….instill and relish in a winning mentality ……….. better late than never!
November 20th, 2017 at 2:27 am
We know what the score was, Joe. Don’t commentate the final score we don’t need you for that and thanks to technoligy we can all watch the game, even in Israel. The D sucked in the second half and we were lucky with the penalties and the weired calls they got. They had a TD that was was cancelled for no reason.
Matt Moore killed us. Think what hd you been writing about if you were covering the dolphins. The only question that matters is why the hell was cutler playing instead of moore.
November 20th, 2017 at 6:35 am
How many yards and first downs were given to the bucs in penalties? How many yards did matt moore throw for in the second half.
Piss poor defensive coordinator almost lost that game.
Piss poor coaching let the entire team shut down in the second half
November 20th, 2017 at 6:53 am
Smith still has to go. This d can’t stop any qb that don’t stop themselves.