Interesting Bucs Defensive Stats
November 25th, 2022
Todd Bowles
One reason Joe enjoys reading Warren Sharp and the stats his elves dig up is because of the gems they unearth.
Sharp, a handicapper turned stathead, and his employee Rich Hribar have found a way cool defensive stat Joe thought published for Sharp Football Analysis.
40.5% of the drives against Tampa Bay have failed to gain a first down or touchdown, the highest rate in the league.
On face value, that tells Joe the Bucs mostly have played lights out defense. However, the third-down stats don’t seem to reinforce the first-down stat so much. The Bucs’ third-down conversion defense has only been pretty good. It’s currently ranked No. 10 overall.
But if the Bucs lead the NFL in preventing teams to gain a first down (or touchdown), shouldn’t the third-down conversion defense be better than just No. 10?
Of is it that once a team gets a first down on the Bucs defense, it gets rolling? Perhaps these numbers suggest the Bucs don’t necessarily adjust on the fly during drives.
November 25th, 2022 at 9:24 am
Overanalysis of data.
November 25th, 2022 at 9:34 am
It simply says that the Bucs defense leads the league in forcing three and outs (or three and a field goal in rare cases). As Joe said, if it’s not a three and out, there could be a long string of conversions on any given drive.
November 25th, 2022 at 9:52 am
The Bucs offense bailed out the defense with a long drive to run out the clock in Germany.The way the defense was giving up scoring drives in the 4th quarter, Seattle was 1 possession away from a comeback win.
November 25th, 2022 at 9:56 am
Ya think??? Where was the adjustments in the 2nd half of Seattle when Geno Smith went all Pro like passing against the D.
November 25th, 2022 at 9:57 am
It would be nice to see that broken down by halves.
November 25th, 2022 at 10:06 am
I’m reminded of the Steelers game where we literally allowed EVERY 3rd down conversion, esp at the end of the game when Brady was waiting to get back on the field and win the game
November 25th, 2022 at 10:12 am
***40.5% of the drives against Tampa Bay have failed to gain a first down or touchdown, the highest rate in the league.***
One could twist the context and claim that almost 60% percent of the drives ended in scores for the opposition.
Factually incorrect, but close enough to the truth to convince some people.
All information is knowledge, but knowledge without all the information is usually flawed.
November 25th, 2022 at 10:27 am
It means when Hicks, Davis and Winfield Jr aren’t playing, the Bucs D is in trouble
November 25th, 2022 at 10:59 am
What this tells me is the defense is pretty good before they’re gassed, and maybe they get huffing and puffing too quickly.
November 25th, 2022 at 11:15 am
I would like to see an honest time of possession stat. Our defense seems to play keep away the ball from Brady most every game.
November 25th, 2022 at 11:20 am
I would like to see an honest time of possession stat. Our defense seems to play keep away the ball from Brady most every game. It’s gonna be interesting to see if White runs around every play avoiding contact or plays defense this game.
November 25th, 2022 at 11:23 am
Wonder if Lenny is gonna get the chance to run up the backs of his offense I’ve line this game or watch White run for gaps.
November 25th, 2022 at 11:58 am
agree with casual observer.. we are 5-5.. Stats are for losers.. Lets go pound the dang clowns.
November 25th, 2022 at 1:35 pm
Do they have a stat for which way their peckers are hanging on third down conversions?
November 25th, 2022 at 1:38 pm
Carl Nassib would’ve been not hanging at all
November 25th, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Carl L Says:
November 25th, 2022 at 11:20 am
I would like to see an honest time of possession stat.
Tampa’s Time of possession is 29.01 minutes which puts it at 6th worst in the league, but I put that more on the offense than the defense because:
Defense has given up the 3rd least 1st downs.
Offense has made the 19th most 1st downs.
Defense has given up the 4th least yards.
Offense has made the 25th most yards.
Defense has given up the 7th fewest amount of plays.
Offense has made the 13th most amount of plays.
Defense so far has outshined the offense at all key measurables.
November 25th, 2022 at 8:27 pm
Joe … ‘But if the Bucs lead the NFL in preventing teams to gain a first down (or touchdown), shouldn’t the third-down conversion defense be better than just No. 10. Of is it that once a team gets a first down on the Bucs defense, it gets rolling? Perhaps these numbers suggest the Bucs don’t necessarily adjust on the fly during drives.’
Last I saw Bucs were No. 6 in Points Allowed. Isn’t that the bottom line stat for a defense?
November 25th, 2022 at 8:31 pm
Oh wait, just noticed that we’re No. 4 now in Points Allowed. Even better. Maybe Todd really does know how to adjust on the fly during drives.
November 26th, 2022 at 1:50 am
Stat Geeks rejoyce …. More meaningless drivel! Your fantasy team will be on fire and Vegas will Comp you a room!
November 26th, 2022 at 1:53 am
Maybe our guys are just gassed after 4 plays … Geez