Payday/Judgment Day For The Bucs’ Biggest Strength
January 24th, 2021
All the knowledgeable NFL types Joe hears talking about why the Packers are so great mention their impressive three-headed rushing attack.
But it feels like nobody cares that the Bucs have the NFL’s best run defense over the past two years.
Nothing is less sexy among NFL media types and fans than run defense. Even defensive icon Warren Sapp says the Bucs’ focus on run defense is passé. But anyone paying attention knows how critical the run defense is, especially today.
In the 2020 regular season, Aaron Rodgers attempted 35 or more passes in a game four times. The Packers went 1-3 in those games.
For perspective, Tom Brady averaged 38 passes per game this season.
Simply stated, the Packers rely heavily on the run and have all year long. And here they come to clash with the greatest strength of the Bucs roster.
Guys like Will Gholston and Rakeem Nuñez-Roches aren’t talked about much, and few judge Shaq Barrett on how he plays the run. It’s also a safe bet that you won’t hear network talking heads raving about how Devin White is a run-stuffer. But that run defense likely is the key to today’s game.
If the Packers can run the ball, well, then the Bucs are in for a very messy day unless they can force a bunch of turnovers again.
Bucs fans often take their run defense for granted. Hopefully, by about 6:20 p.m. tonight, that bad habit will be kicked.
January 24th, 2021 at 8:31 am
That’s all great. TODAY, those across the country who have been sleeping on the Bucs will find out about their run defense. I’m looking forward to seeing some blitzes and mixing up the D play calling for pressures and coverage as well.
January 24th, 2021 at 8:31 am
Suh-JPP-Lavonte will keep the whole Defensive bench laser focused on every detail today!
They ain’t messing around today! No smoking and joking until the locker room after the WIN !
January 24th, 2021 at 8:31 am
Suh will have a huge day today, he’s in Rodgers’ head.
January 24th, 2021 at 8:45 am
YES!!! This is why we win today! Bucs stop the Packers run game – it is our strength. Conversely, Packers’ run defense is average – Bucs Oline and run game is far superior.
Result is BUCS WIN!!!
January 24th, 2021 at 8:55 am
Nice stat Joe! I’ll be marking on a notepad each time rodgers throws…
We got big V back so thats a huge gain. I say we save him until the 2nd half or 4th quarter…then let him eat!
January 24th, 2021 at 8:59 am
As long as the D is above average, don’t have to be as awesome as last week…this O will have a great day!! They’re do for 40 or more and GB doesn’t have the D to stop this offense! Turnover free game and above average D = Bucs trip back Home for SB LV!!!!
January 24th, 2021 at 9:09 am
I’m thinking get Vea in early make Packers punt! ( it’s as good as a turnover) .
Get the ball in Brady’s hands as much as possible. I think the Packers are 70-1 with a halftime lead
January 24th, 2021 at 9:12 am
I like what Barber said Chucky told the team before the Eagles game in 2002…”he said it not about the big plays it’s about handling the bad plays…something bad might happen and it might be the first play of the game. Eagles got a TD real quick in that game and the team bounced back and never lost confidence. I think this team did that last week against their biggest nemesis!! Showed some great maturity and grit!!! Let’s see more of that this week Bucs!!
January 24th, 2021 at 9:18 am
Man wouldn’t it be great if jpp ,Shaq , suh get after the QB today. If Shaq wants to be paid like the best go out and hunt Rogers. Jpp only talks when needed most of the time he lets his play so the talking but today he needs to take it up a few notches. LVD AND WHITE y’all have go to play even faster than you have bin idk if that’s possible but please find that extra gear and let’s win this. Let’s go Bucs
January 24th, 2021 at 9:21 am
Great point NaplesBucsFan. It’s hard to be perfect in any game; it’s more about how you handle adversity & those bad plays (like turnovers & missed tackles?) that invariably pop up in almost every game. WE GOT THIS.
January 24th, 2021 at 9:24 am
Ok boys & girls, this is it. Time to don the colors and buckle up. No looking back now. It’s go time!
January 24th, 2021 at 9:27 am
Brian- I like it. If the pack get the ball first then making them punt on the first drive is a big deal to me. Even bigger deal if we can follow that up by a touchdown drive. In that environment, against that team, getting in to a 20-7 hole is not ideal (obviously.) I say pull out all the stops to get a jump on them, wipe that smirk of Rodgers face and make him feel some pressure
January 24th, 2021 at 9:36 am
My gut feeling is that 2 defensive stars will rise today!
1. Shaq Barrett will awaken like Lazarus, sack Aaron Rodgers 3 times today and constantly be in the Packers backfield.
2. Devin White will pick up where he left off in New Orleans and decimate ball carriers like a football seeking missile, as he flies around the field like a demon with his hair on fire.
This game will be closer than week 6….but when the final whistle blows, the Buccaneers will sail the pirate ship home to host the Super Bowl in their own stadium!
January 24th, 2021 at 9:43 am
For the past 2 seasons the Buc defense has stopped the run!! Today will be no different!! If our pass defense plays fired up like last week and we can get a running game going. This day will come to a joyous conclusion!!! GO BUCS!! Bucs: 33 Packers 27
January 24th, 2021 at 9:43 am
I have a feeling Rodgers will be rolling out a lot today. Front four gotta stay disciplined.
@ Jeagan1999- I hope your right about Shaq. We need his A game today.
January 24th, 2021 at 9:49 am
The Bucs LB core is fantastic, if d line can jam the holes that will allow LB’s time to come up. What concerns me is how GB backs bounce to outside and Bucs young guys get over zelales and get caught like the Winston play. Seems like a good match up but they do have pro bowlers on the oline and carved up #1 D last week. DO YOUR JOB!
January 24th, 2021 at 9:50 am
I don’t see GN stopping our O… I’ve top 40 today!!!
January 24th, 2021 at 10:10 am
Damn keyboard: should have been GB not stopping us topping 40+ today!
January 24th, 2021 at 10:14 am
Just don’t beat yourselves. No stupid penalties and hang onto the damn ball.
January 24th, 2021 at 10:16 am
Its funny because no matter how much this game “evolves” into the high flying, air-it-out, fantasy football appeasing style that the NFL has become over the last 50 years (and last dozen in particular) – a game like this will likely be determined by the team that most successfully runs the ball and plays solid defense.
Barrett – JPP – Suh – you guys are collectively earning about 35 MILLION this year. The three of you collectively have ONE sack in the last 5 games. The time is NOW to STEP THE F*CK UP!!!!! Do what you did to Rodgers and the Packers OLIne back in Oct and we will be coming HOME to play in the SUPER BOWL in 2 weeks!!!!
Go Bucs!!
January 24th, 2021 at 10:39 am
Be optimistic. Tommy Boy is undefeated playing Aaron Rogers in Green Bay since joining the Bucs!!!!!!!! See how easy??
January 24th, 2021 at 10:44 am
The keys for the D are stop the run , contain Rodgers in pocket and don’t allow Packers receiver routes to confuse secondary.
Win the turnover battle
No dumb penalties
Trust Brady and run game
Bucs win!
January 24th, 2021 at 11:04 am
we’ve come a long way from Deangelo Williams and Mark Ingrahm running all over us like cake.
January 24th, 2021 at 11:19 am
I would take those two in their prime over Fournett & Rojo. Sorry just saying.
January 24th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
The ESPN experts are saying how good the cheese 🧀 head running game is without mentioning how good the Bucs running defense has been!
January 24th, 2021 at 12:12 pm
It’s been that way the whole postseason. First playoff game all we heard about was how good Heineke was and chase young this chase young that. Last game at half it was… Those saints have allowed the Bucs to stay in it… Nevermind the only scores was on the gimmick play and the one snap Davis came out. This is just more of the same. Hopefully we can g
Keep proving the doubters wrong
January 24th, 2021 at 12:34 pm
The Saints game worried me. That was our big hurdle.
This game does not. We will destroy Rogers.
I feel a route coming and we’re going to the Super Bowl!
January 24th, 2021 at 1:32 pm
NaplesBucsFan Says:
January 24th, 2021 at 10:10 am
Damn keyboard: should have been GB not stopping us topping 40+ today!
************************************************************
Keyboard?!? He!!, you’re drinking already! Better slow down so you don’t miss the game!
January 24th, 2021 at 1:53 pm
I think we can win this game !!