Encore Performance By Bucs’ Run Defense
September 15th, 2025
Texans RB Nick Chubb ran into wall after wall.
Texans running backs averaged 3.8 yards per carry tonight.
That’s a nice total for the 1992 season, but in the modern game, it means the Bucs did a strong job stopping the run. Again.
Yeah, Houston running back Nick Chubb busted a 25-yard run tonight, but it was all lights out beyond that. His other 11 carries netted 18 yards.
Anyone see Falcons running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier run wild on a good Minnesota defense on Sunday night? Joe sure did. They racked up 219 yards on the ground. Heck, even Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht talked about that on the team’s radio pregame show tonight in Houston.
Licht’s context was that Robinson and Allgeier were shut down by the Bucs in Week 1, so it was a great testament to the Tampa Bay run defense. Joe was thinking the same thing Sunday night.
The Bucs are likely to be without defensive tackle Calijah Kancey for a long time, but Joe’s not concerned about how that will affect the run defense. Yes, Kancey is explosive with tackles for loss at times, but the Bucs can get a lot of consistency from Logan Hall and Greg Gaines picking up his snaps.
Rookie Elijah Roberts (a half-sack tonight) is more raw when it comes to run defense, but he’s a big body who should get better as the season progresses.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:53 pm
Stopping the run is nice, but I would trade almost anything for a competent pass defense. This team cannot cover anyone, 6 years and counting and Todd Blows just can’t figure out pass D
September 15th, 2025 at 11:56 pm
Last year it was the back 7, really the back 5, that suffered from injuries. This year it’s the front 7, really the front 3, who caught the bug. Hope we can find enough warm bodies to weather the storm, or the regular season.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:58 pm
We just got 2 great wins that couldn’t have happened without great man defense. The DB play is way better already this year
September 15th, 2025 at 11:58 pm
The defense got better as the game went on. The DL dominated when CK was out. We’re fine.
I wonder if the final Texan’s TD was intentional? If so, brilliant call. Win or lose.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:01 am
Did Morrison play? Yes. –Joe
September 16th, 2025 at 12:08 am
Thought that was crazy when Chubb ran in for the touchdown, it was like we had a chance after that. I mean they were running out the clock and going to kick a field goal and shut us out but they left the door open for us.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:13 am
Discourage the run game and force them to pass, it’s literally been our m.o. since 2019, pass yardage has always been skewed
Defense looked good, held the Texans to 10 points for about 3 quarters. Sure they didn’t force a TO or make highlight plays but as a unit they played the best ball for us collectively. Huge GL stand, Texans couldn’t cash in from the 1 with Chubb or Collins.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:14 am
On the Chubb run, watch Winfield, he lets up… this is a guy that chases guys down to the one inch line to knock the ball out, and he appeared to let up… That’s because he’s smart. If he could make the tackle, and I’m not sure he could, but if he could and did, the Texans then are able to burn the clock, make the Bucs use all their timeouts, and maybe give the ball back to the offense with like 25 seconds left. Let him score, then you give the offense the ball, over 2 minutes left, and their timeouts. Smart play if he did it by choice. If not, then lucky break for the Bucs.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:24 am
Can Joe please ask a Bucs coach why the best pash rusher on the team is dropping back in to pass coverage???
September 16th, 2025 at 12:25 am
Why ask what is well-known?
September 16th, 2025 at 12:33 am
Pretty sure they let Chubb get that last TD. They wanted to have 2:00 to win/tie the game. I say brilliant move if so. They will never admit to it.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:06 am
I just rewatched that play. You’re 100% right about Winfield letting up, however Chubb was already at our 5 yard line and Winfield wasn’t even within reach yet. Very, very unlikely he makes that tackle before the end zone.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:24 am
Rod Munch is correct. The Bucs purposely let the Texans run for there longest run of the night ON PURPOSE.
Amazing how many posters in here couldn’t figure it out.
September 16th, 2025 at 2:47 am
My pick i pushed for, Elijah, will be there. Good to see Hall coming along too but to finally be that guy Hall…we need more and more. Try to stay healthy, but i know you’ve got more, in your prime now.
September 16th, 2025 at 2:51 am
unbelievable Says:
September 16th, 2025 at 1:06 am
I just rewatched that play. You’re 100% right about Winfield letting up, however Chubb was already at our 5 yard line and Winfield wasn’t even within reach yet. Very, very unlikely he makes that tackle before the end zone.
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I agree that it’s unlikely – but I’ve just never seen Winfield let up, and while we say unlikely, how unlikely was it that he’d catch Pitts, or knock the ball out twice at the one inch line of the Falcons QB when it looked like he was into the endzone.
I will say the call seemed to be an all or nothing play, which was the right call – if you can get the stop do so, if you can’t, just let them score.
But watching Winfield, I’m convinced he knew the situation.
September 16th, 2025 at 5:11 am
Nobody gave up on that play…jeeze. Chubb earned it, guys were tired and he got through…..come on man, lol. It just so happened the football Gods were on our side to fight back, with clock on our side, to win it!
September 16th, 2025 at 7:34 am
The Bucs had three timeouts still and the Texans couldn’t have run out the clock without getting a first down. If Houston kicked a field goal and Bucs get ball back with a minute and a half left they’d only need a field goal for the win. I doubt they let Chubb score.
September 16th, 2025 at 8:02 am
Bucky would have slid at the one yard line where Chubb ran it in
September 16th, 2025 at 8:47 am
On the Chubb run, Hall jumps inside and leaves his gap, you can see Vea looking right at where Hall is supposed to be and gives a look of disgust – don’t think it was planned at all, we were in an all out blitz and Hall gave up his gap – it did work out perfect in the end
September 16th, 2025 at 9:29 am
We didn’t let Chubb score, no way you allow points to go down more than a FG. But it sure worked out great Chubb scored right away.