Do Bucs Plan To Open Up The Passing Game Late?
September 25th, 2025
Using the sun as a weapon.
Playing in the Tampa heat is in the Eagles’ heads. And, sadly, it seems it is in too many of the Bucs’ heads, too.
Now if the win over the Jets is any guide, it might be becuase the Bucs will open up the passing game in the fourth quarter.
Yesterday, Baker Mayfield was discussing playing in the heat. He thinks it is an advantage for the Bucs. But he made a very interesting point on the Jets defense.
Mayfield noted the Jets were rotating guys on the defensive line. In the secondary, not so much. And Mayfield said he and his receivers could tell Jets defensive backs were sucking wind in the fourth quarter.
Playing a day game in Tampa in September, Mayfield said, “is for sure an advantage for us. Not that we are able to just withstand all the heat, but we have to tell ourselves we have been in it for a long time, and we have been dealing with it for longer than the other team has.
“We look at it, [the Jets] did a good job of rotating their defensive line quite a bit — getting fresh legs involved once in a while. It was not as big of a difference on the front that it has been in the past just because they did a good job of it.
“You could tell in the secondary though, those guys were tired. Especially with what we were doing last week, putting the ball on the perimeter making them chase and tackle. We can feel it and that is when you have to tell yourself — and guys in the huddle will say, ‘Hey, we are not as tired as they are’ — we have to push and finish this [drive] in the end zone. It is always good to have somebody remind you of that.”
Joe was floored when Bucs coach Todd Bowles said yesterday how the heat got to the Bucs’ defense. Huh? The Bucs have been practicing in this since July. The Jets haven’t.
If there was any team that shouldn’t have been able to adjust it was the Jets, not the team that lives and works in this heat.
But Joe likes to hear how the Bucs ran an offense last week that was, in part, designed to wear down the Jets secondary under the brutal Florida sun.
September 25th, 2025 at 7:20 am
The Eagles D will be concentrating on EE since Mike Evans will be out. This sounds like a good week to have Irving, White & Cade Otten involved in the passing game. Hopefully, they have packages where all three are on the field at the same time.
September 25th, 2025 at 7:27 am
What was the temperature on the field last Sunday?
September 25th, 2025 at 7:30 am
It’s going to be hot again this Sunday. I’m not sure we have enough d-line depth to rotate much, so we better play keep away on offense and tire out those mammoths on Philly’s line. Worst call of the game against the Jets for me was kicking that field goal in the 4th instead of going for it on 4th and 1. When you have the lead and outside of chip shot range, you have to go for it to either milk more clock or punch it in to really put the game away
September 25th, 2025 at 8:01 am
Pound the rock and hit them over the middle. Move the chains keep the ball on offense.
Stop the tush push, contain Hurts, and get some pass rush going.
Hope the offense can hold the ball for periods of time to allow our defense to be fresh and lethal.
September 25th, 2025 at 8:01 am
After being high on Otton, to now needing him to prove it again, I hope he has a big day on Sunday. He came in clutch when we were hobbled last year, let’s go it again.
September 25th, 2025 at 8:12 am
Joe … ‘if the win over the Jets is any guide, it might be that the Bucs will open up the passing game in the fourth quarter.’
You got me curious about the play-calling Joe. Looked at runs & passes over the 4 quarters:
o 1st Qtr: 5 runs … 2 passes
o 2nd qtr: 7 runs … 12 passes
o 3rd qtr: 10 runs … 6 passes
o 4th qtr: 9 runs … 5 passes until the last drive (under 2 mins) then 1 run 4 passes plus a kneeldown (for the winning FG)
After looking at the play-by-play recap, seems pretty obvious that the penalties on our OLine really impacted Grizz’s calls, and especially in that 1st qtr. Bucs only had ONE drive in the 1st qtr, comprised of a total of 14 plays (plus the FG kick). Bucs had FIVE offensive holding plays called on us … ALL on pass plays … and the Jets had TWO huge penalties called on them (face mask on a run & a DPI). So instead of 6 runs & 8 passes, that single drive only got credited with 5 runs & 2 passes (even though we TRIED to pass more).
We scored our TD on our 2nd drive (to start the 2nd qtr). that TD drive consisted of 1 run and SIX passes (1 of those for the TD). There were ZERO penalties on that drive.
And then of course at the end of the game, with just under 2 minutes left, Bucs got the ball (trailing 27-26) on our own 34-yd line. Passed it 4 straight times (2 complete for 48 yds and 2 incomplete), then Baker ran it up the middle for 1-yd, then did a kneeldown & Chase kicked the winning FG as time expired.
So yes Joe we leaned on our passing game in the 4th qtr for the winning points, but we also did the same thing a couple other times in that game. Penalties (holding especially) on passing plays cost us dearly. Looks to me like that set the tone for Grizz’s play-calling for the first 3 and a half quarters.
September 25th, 2025 at 8:21 am
This could be the Bucs miracle game if both Godwin and Wirtz can play this Sunday. It would mean our offensive line should improve (especially on the left side with the starters playing) and the right side linemen can play better on the run game and somehow protect Baker on passing downs with Payne Durham on chip blocks.
The other factor is if the Bucs play well against Philly, than Bucky and White need to be playmakers on Sunday. If they can do that, then look for a pop a Champhain bottle celebration win.
September 25th, 2025 at 8:33 am
Run the ball, chew up clock and keep Barkley baking on the bench, that’s the way to Hurts them.
If we pass against their DLine early, once again we will find ourselves going backwards. IMO
September 25th, 2025 at 8:49 am
Running the football is such an important part of the game. We have a good run game and it’s absolutely crucial that we use it. The minute we forget what got us here (a truly elite passing game) is the minute we screw the pooch. Success in our passing game is what gives us the opportunity to have a top tier running game. JMac was a cruel blow as was Evans going down. Godwin, even not at 100%, will be big. He finds holes in zones (gets open). Same as Shep. Egbuka may be rookie of the year. I expect Tez to have his breakout soon. Maybe Sunday? When is our passing game going to start looking like the elite passing game that it surely is? We’ve seen glimpses of it 3 games and it’s had a major impact on 3 wins. I can’t wait to see us throw for 400 yards and 4 TDs. I know we have it in us.
September 25th, 2025 at 8:53 am
Still don’t understand why September home games are played at 1:00. In stead of 4:00 like they used to.
September 25th, 2025 at 9:13 am
Biggest reason: eyeballs.
(But that doesn’t explain why this game isn’t a 4 p.m. game.)
September 25th, 2025 at 9:20 am
The temperature on the field last Sunday was 120 degrees (at kickoff).
September 25th, 2025 at 9:28 am
Baker put it perfectly, it is a mind over matter playing in this heat, embracing the suck and talking one self into overcoming the obstacle. “They are more tired than we are”. Only way to look at it. It can really give one a mental edge.
September 25th, 2025 at 9:47 am
Yeah, this should be a 4 p.m. game, but it’s the Bucs. At least, it’s not on prime time which means fans like me can get Bucs Radio. I know, big deal. Watch out for the humidity, too. Just as important as the temps. Sounds like Bake is getting himself revved up which will affect the rest of the team. 4-0!!!!!!! EE2 and CG14 on the field together……WOW!!
September 25th, 2025 at 9:48 am
practicing in the heat against your teammates is totally different from playing a 60min game against an opponent in the heat!!!
this was the BUCS first home game since preseason….and the preseason games are played at night….
bowles and the defense didnt let up…they got tired…that was evident by the missed tackles…
philly coming down a day early will hurt them lol….fridays heat will drain them and they wont have time to recover due to the 1pm kickoff
4-0!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 25th, 2025 at 9:53 am
The Buc’s will open up the passing game late if they are trailing! I would expect them to try to control the clock with a mix of runs and quick throw plays like screens and slants. The Eagles have struggled stopping the run game. Last week the Rams rushed for 160 yards ave 5.2 yds per carry. If the Buc’s can score early and stop the Eagles run game and Hurts from scrambling, the Buc’s can squeak out a win.
September 25th, 2025 at 10:05 am
SteveK
Is that all? 😀
September 25th, 2025 at 10:19 am
BuckyBruce
Agreed. You get that one yard and finish them.
You know Killer Instinct and all…
September 25th, 2025 at 11:15 am
It’s better for the health of the fan base to not read quotes from the genius whose foot has gout.
September 25th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
aqualung
“THE GENIUS” may have gout…but, Mrs. Aqualung has CRABS!!!!!!
4-0!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
September 25th, 2025 at 11:36 pm
813 – attack me all you want. You really want to bring family into your 3rd grade schtick?