Complementary Football Is Missing In Tampa
The Buccaneers' 2024 season has been a rollercoaster, marked by both thrilling victories and frustrating losses. However, one consistent theme has emerged: the team's inability to feed off each other.
Complementary-adjective
serving to fill out or complete
mutually supplying each other's lack
the complementary relationship that binds the two
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a serious problem. Amid a 4-game losing streak, you could definitely say that the BUCS have several serious problems. Among the most significant issues holding the team back is the inability to simultaneously play well on both sides of the ball.
Many BUCS fans understand complementary football as when the defense bails out a struggling offense. If the offense turns the ball over or goes several drives without a score, it's expected the BUCS defense will shut down the opposing offense without question. It doesn't matter if it's a short field due to a turnover or if they've only been off the field for one minute or less because the offense had a quick 3-and-out possession.
That's been the outlook for the defensive side of the ball for a long time for BUCS fans, primarily due to the dominance of the Buccaneers' defenses over two decades ago.
"Give us 17 points, and we'll win the game for you." That's what Warren Sapp used to say back in 1999 through 2003. An alarming amount of BUCS fans believe this is the case in today's NFL. The average NFL score today is 22.5 points a game. Even more wild is the notion that it doesn't matter who the BUCS defense is fielding; they should be able to overcome anything and play at the level of an All-Time great defense like Sapp's.
But when the defense falls short, the outlook is that they're total failures—no room for nuances. There's only disdain and blame to be assigned.
While many fans can and will look to offensive and defensive rankings to tell the story of which side of the ball is struggling more, it's proven to be a big mistake. While suitable for a general overlook in most cases, rankings lack the context needed to gain perspective
There's no question about where the Buccaneers defense is in statistical rankings. Heading into the Week 12 matchup against the New York Giants, the defense ranks 27th in points allowed and 30th in yards allowed. However, rankings don't determine wins. Before heading into the Week 11 bye, the BUCS defense was tied with the 7-3 Baltimore Ravens' defense for points allowed with 266. The difference between the two teams is that Baltimore's offense has capitalized when its defense has made opportunities. Baltimore's offense has supplemented a relatively poor defense more times than they've put them in worse positions. And that's why one team has a winning record and the other doesn’t.
Bucs' Offensive Woes: A Deep Dive into Struggles to build/keep Momentum In The 6 Losses
A key area of concern in the six losses this season has been the offense's inability to sustain drives, often resulting in three-and-outs. This trend has been particularly evident in crucial moments, such as when the Bucs have had a lead or the game was tied.
Three-and-outs are pretty common, but they're not all equal. Like most statistics, it's not a simple matter of the number associated with the three-and-outs. The timing and the situations make them more significant.
When the offense has a quick failed drive or a turnover after the defense gets a stop, it's not just a momentum killer but a physical strain on the defense. And for a defense that has been pushed to 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th options, that's a considerable task. Due to injuries, the defense has fielded 10 different combinations of starters through Week 11.
Week 3 vs DEN
-(1st Quarter 11:05 left; 0-7 DEN) The offense surrendered two 3-and-outs. The first of these happened on the BUCS' very first possession after the Bronco's offense scored on their opening drive that lasted 3:55. The BUCS' offense gained 2 yards on a drive that took 1:43 off the clock.
-(1st Quarter 7:55 left; 0-7 DEN) More than damning than the first 3-and-out was the second possession that came after the BUCS' defense forced Denver into a quick 3-and-out. Not only did the offense miss the opportunity to build on the defense's momentum, it gave it away. On the BUCS' own 30-yard line, the offense turned it over via INT to give the Broncos the ball on the 10-yard line—the result: Touchdown.
-(1st Quarter 2:56 left; 0-14 DEN)The second 3-and-out came immediately after the Broncos capitalized on the INT.
The Browns' offense scored 3 FGs in the remainder of the game. They scored 15 points on drives that they actually had to drive the field. The BUCS' offense scored 7 points the entire game.
Week 4 @ ATL
-(3rd Quarter 15:00; 24-17 BUCS) After scoring on all 4 of their 1st Half possessions and having a 7-point lead, the BUCS offense started the 2nd Half with a 3-and-out. The drive took 2:50 off the game clock and netted -2 yards. The opportunity to go up by two possessions and change Atlanta's approach was missed.
-(4th Quarter 6:29 left; 30-27 BUCS) With a 3-point lead, the BUCS defense gets a stop through a blocked FG attempt. On the ensuing possession, the BUCS offense turns it over. Bucky Irving, #7, fumbles after gaining 7 yards on the 7th play of the drive. The drive lasted 3:39.
-(4th Quarter 1:44 left; 30-27 BUCS) After the BUCS defense gets what should have been a game-ending INT, the offense goes 3-and-out for the second time. Unquestionably marred by a missed facemask penalty that would've kept them in FG position, the drive came to a halt. The drive took just 30 seconds off the clock.
There were multiple blown opportunities to take a commanding lead after the defense made stops.
Week 7 vs BAL
-(1st Quarter 12:29 left; 10-7 BUCS) With a 3-point lead and a chance to extend it, the offense gives the ball away on an INT in the red zone. No Mike Evans available, but it is one of the worst decisions and throws a QB can make. It was a drive that lasted for 6:19 but resulted in 0 points.
-(2nd Quarter 4:23 left; 14-10 BAL) After the Ravens capitalized on the INT and took the lead with a TD, the BUCS offense turned the ball over again with another INT. This time, a 4-play drive that lasted 1:27.
The BUCS offense went from having a 3-point lead in their first two drives to trailing by 7 at halftime due to back-to-back turnovers on subsequent drives. Both the offense and the defense failed to recover in the 2nd half. Despite the final score, the offense didn't really find its footing. It was a 34-10 blowout entering the 4th Quarter.
There was a small glimpse of complementary football seen when the defense forced a fumble, and the offense capitalized on the short field, scoring a TD on a 30-yard drive. But the defense surrendered another TD score. The BUCS offense scored once again, but it was too late to trade scores. An onside kick recovery and TD helped the Points-Per-Game narrative, but the real story was told before the clock hit all zeros.
Week 8 vs ATL
-(1st Quarter 14:23 left; 0-0) The BUCS won the toss, chose to receive the ball, and coughed it up. 2nd and 2 on the second play of the game, #1 fumbles the ball. The possession lasted :49. Atlanta took over and went 43 yards for a TD.
-(2nd Quarter 7:19 left; 14-14) After ATL ties the game on a 70-yard drive, the BUCS offense goes 3-and-out which keeps momentum on the Falcons' side. The drive took 1:51 off the game clock.
-(3rd Quarter 12:22 left; 17-24 ATL) The BUCS defense forces ATL to go 3-and-Out on their first drive to open the 2nd half. The BUCS offense turns it over with an INT on their 5th play.
-(3rd Quarter 4:30 left; 17-24 ATL) The BUCS defense stops ATL after the INT to stop them from extending the lead. BUCS offense goes for 7 yards on three plays. Essentially, another 3-and-out. However, the decision to go for it on a fake punt failed miserably. The result: Turnover on Down and eventual Atlanta TD on a 36-yard drive. Time of possession for the failed drive--1:25.
-(4th Quarter 15:00 left; 17-31 ATL) Down by two possessions to start the final quarter, the BUCS offense turns the ball over once more via INT. The failed drive lasted 2:20.
The BUCS ended up with four turnovers and lost by 5 points.
Week 9 @ KC
-(2nd Quarter 4:05 left; 7-10 KC) The BUCS defense gives up a TD on the Chief's third drive of the game. The BUCS offense responds with a 3-and-out. Time of possession--2:18.
-(2nd Quarter :55 left; 7-10 KC) After the BUCS forced a fumble at midfield, the offense goes 3-and-out. Misses an opportunity to tie the game at halftime. Time of possession--:30.
-(4th Quarter 14:14 left; 17-17) KC tied the game on a 12-play drive that took 6:36 off the clock. The BUCS offense went 3-and-out on a drive that lasted 1:31.
-(4th Quarter 4:17 left; 17-24 KC) KC takes the lead with another long drive. The drives went 15 plays and lasted 8:26. The BUCS offense followed up with a 3-and-out that lasted 1:36.
Again, we do see an instance of complementary football as the BUCS defense forced a 3-and-out, and the offense followed up with a TD to tie the game. However, the previous 3-and-outs on back-to-back drives have to be viewed as missed opportunities and detrimental to a tiring defense.
Week 10 vs SF
-(2nd quarter :55 left; 10-3 SF) The 49ers miss a 49-yard FG attempt. BUCS offense follows up with an ultra-quick 3-and-out. Just :17 elapsed from the clock.
-(4th Quarter 11:50 left; 17-13 BUCS) San Francisco comes up empty on a FG attempt. The BUC offense takes the field and goes 3-and-out. Time of possession--1:33.
(4th Quarter 7:02 left; 20-17 SF) After the 49ers score a TD to take a 3-point lead, the offense goes 3-and-out once again. Time of Possession-- 2:05.
-(4th Quarter 3:09 left; 17-20 SF) The 49ers miss its 3rd FG of the game. The BUCS offense takes the field with a chance to close out the game with a TD score. Just 58 yards away. Assisted by 4 penalties that resulted in 29 yards, the BUC ended up in red zone on the 49ers 13-yard line. 3 Plays later, settle for a FG that ties the game up instead of taking the lead with under a minute to go.
The Impact On The Season
The shortcomings on the offensive side of the ball haven’t been as amplified as the defensive struggles. That’s largely due to the aforementioned statistical rankings. On paper, the BUCS offense is a Top 5 offense. But the accumulative missed opportunities have not only taken points off the board but also put an additional strain on the often short-handed defense are damning.
Of the BUCS’ six losses, four of them have been by six points or less. From the outside looking in, pne could argue that if the defense got one more stop in each game, the outcomes would be different. Having not only looked at the results but the actual progressions of the games, there’s enough evidence to show that even when the defense gets a stop, there’s little to no guarantee that the offense will make good on the opportunity. The BUCS defense has forced 12 takeaways. Unfortunately, the offense has 12 giveaways.
What's Next for the Bucs Offense?
Stability. That’s the hope.
With Mike Evans returning after a 3-game absence, the chances of the offense being more consistent grow exponentially. While the offense did stall while he was active earlier in the season, Evans’ presence transforms the offense into a much more potent unit.
In the last 7 games of the regular season, the BUCS offense still has the time needed to right the ship, at least on their side of the ball. There’s still work needed on the defensive side, as well. But if the offense can stall out the defense with a few more productive drives to end the season, the team could find its way into the Playoffs.
Tell me something good, Bucs fans! What do you think is the biggest issue with the offense? How can we turn things around?
