Power Run Game
November 15th, 2026
Jolt that Bucs offense needs?
You can stack the box on the Bucs and it doesn’t matter.
That’s what the numbers say based on info from Fantasy Points Data. The Bucs this year are a running team. A damn good running team. A physical running team.
Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell are facing a lot of defenders in the box. And it doesn’t matter. The Bucs not only run, but run effectively with a good success rate.
Only five teams have a better success rate running the ball than the Bucs.
(Successful run plays are when a team gets 50 percent of yards needed for a conversion on first down, 70 percent of yards needed on second down and moving the chains on third or fourth down.)
Only five teams face more men in the box than the Bucs. Per Fantasy Points Data, on designed runs, the Bucky and Gainwell face a stacked box of almost eight defenders on each play.
That tells Joe three things:
* Defenses are scared of the Bucs running game.
* Defenses have little to no respect for the Bucs passing game.
* Defenses are not scared of Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. The Bucs have a decent shot of making the playoffs, even at 3-6. That’s because the NFC South landfill is so awful.
For the Bucs to be a good team, at some point, they have to be able to throw the ball and score points.
Can failed Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson turn the corner? Based on nine games, Joe has seen zero evidence of such a turnaround being possible.
(One awesome bomb to Tez Johnson does not make a passing attack.)
Rushing Success vs. Box Defenders Faced
Data: @FantasyPtsData pic.twitter.com/kyj7NMQcTX
— SFdata9ers🏈📊 (@sfdata9ers) November 14, 2026
November 15th, 2026 at 12:22 am
Run Bucky run!
November 15th, 2026 at 12:48 am
If you can run against stacked boxes, why do you need to pass at all?
Also, how are the Rams consistently running against that stacked a box? Do they only run on the goal line? lol
November 15th, 2026 at 1:11 am
I have a suggestion… bench that bum Baker, and let’s see what we have in Daniels, and if we have a QB of the future or need to target one in the next draft. We all know Baker is a garbage QB who is only playing because he’s too expensive to bench – but bench him anyways and try to win some games.
November 15th, 2026 at 1:16 am
Well, yes, my Joes and my friends… ( And I consider the Joes as friends too) The run game is absolutely a joy to behold. I absolutely LOVE games like that. I love Buc-ball. It’s our DNA. Three yards and a splash of mud. I’m not quite sure what the heck an El Nino is, but I sure hope it rains at Ray-Jay every home game. I posted earlier that I hope the Lions had Holy Heck to play this week, but I was ignorant of the schedule. They play my AFC favorite, the Patriots somewhere in Europe early tomorrow morning. Go Pats. I’m from Boston. Love my bucs better, tho. Been in Central FL for about 50 years. I don’t actually give a rat’s azz if we never complete another pass in this century as long as we can win with the run.
November 15th, 2026 at 1:21 am
As I think about it… NFL defenses are rigged to stop the pass these days. Not exactly Shakespeare, but it’s true.
November 15th, 2026 at 1:27 am
Fred McNeil…I grew up on Cape Cod…and Go Bucs until the day I die!
November 15th, 2026 at 1:51 am
But you can’t win against better teams without a passing game.
November 15th, 2026 at 2:02 am
It is fine to pass the ball on 20% of plays like against the Panthers or even on 40% of the plays like against the Cowboys.
What matters is that the play is indistinguishable from a run when you break the huddle, when you get into position on the line of scrimmage, when you shift people and put them in motion, when you call the cadence, and as you receive the snap and begin the play action.
And, plan the play with the following elements:
1 Pre snap, Baker has a designated first read, a roll out and toss option, and a tuck it and run option.
2. As soon as Baker’s right foot plants, he throws the ball, or he immediately rolls out and tosses the ball, or he tucks the ball and runs. And it is fine if the roll out and toss option is along the sideline where he can toss out of bounds!
When you have success running against a stacked box, there are no passing downs! Third and long, run it! If you only gain five yards and have to punt, that is five yards added to the punt! But, the Bucs can break big runs on third down, whereas they get slaughtered when they drop back to pass on third and long!
Run the ball, and fire the cannons!
And for goodness sake, dust off the 2024 Baker secret recipe that for one year made Baker one of the best QB’s in the league and get Baker back into that 2024 groove.
Meanwhile, run the ball!
November 15th, 2026 at 3:54 am
Hire Bruce Arians or live to regret it.
We will waste one of the best defenses in Bucs history if we don’t act now!