3 things Bucs need to fix before playing a real football team
By John Buhler
2. The Buccaneers must figure out how to get better overall run production
Though the early returns on the makeshift running game were successful, the Eagles adjusted just fine to the Buccaneers’ rushing attack as the game wore on. While Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Giovani Bernard combined for 99 rushing yards and two touchdowns, that came on 30 combined carries. Those two touchdowns were in the first quarter, as the Tampa Bay became more passing centric.
If the Buccaneers had Leonard Fournette or Ronald Jones II available, this may have been a different story. However, the Buccaneers ground game is a liability heading into the divisional round if Fournette and Jones are unable to go. Tampa Bay will need to use the run to help close out the game, or potentially even open up more passing lanes with a somewhat effective play-action.
Ultimately, the Buccaneers are not beating anyone worth anything when Tom Brady throws the ball 45 or 50 times outdoors in January, even if it is at home. All it takes is one errant pass to get an opportunistic defense’s team back in a ballgame. The ground game may have been makeshift on Sunday. It might have been fine vs. the Eagles. However, it will not be good enough next week.
The Buccaneers have to figure out how to get at least one back to average over five yards a carry.