The 2024 Bucs offense is among the actually particular models within the NFL.
Just like the Vikings protection.
Or the Steelers cross rush.
Or the Broncos offensive line.
Or the Lions offense.
Or the Ravens run recreation.
Some models have that good mix of distinctive and elite that they need to be elevated to the nationwide stage within the playoffs. And the Bucs offense is 100% part of that membership.
Bucs OC Liam Coen and HC Todd Bowles – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Slice it any manner you need. The primary purpose of an offense is to attain factors. After hanging 41 of the crew’s 48 factors on the Panthers on Sunday, the Bucs additionally scored seven factors through a blocked punt on particular groups, the Bucs are actually averaging 29.7 factors per recreation. Solely three groups are forward of them this season.
In the event you wish to measure offense by way of yards per recreation, they transfer as much as third at 399.9, behind simply the Ravens and Lions. The offensive line is permitting quarterback Baker Mayfield to be pressured on the fourth fewest proportion of drop backs within the NFL. The Bucs now rank third in passing success charge and fourth in speeding success charge. That isn’t solely unbelievable stability, but additionally superb effectivity all the way in which round.
Bucs Offense Is As Shut To Full As It Will get
Do the Bucs have a weak spot on offense? The reply is not any.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield is having a particular season. He’s tied for second within the NFL in passing touchdowns with 39 and second in passing yards with 4,279. He’s the conductor of the prepare and at his finest exhibits an entire command of the offense, usually having the solutions to the check earlier than the ball is even snapped.
Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
Paired along with his particular arm expertise he has made some completely bananas throws this season. And coming off of a five-touchdown efficiency versus the Panthers he could also be peaking at the perfect time. A bit mentioned reality about Mayfield. In a really small pattern dimension of simply 4 video games, his cumulative efficiency within the playoffs has been fairly spectacular.
The operating recreation has gone from moribund over the previous a number of years to unbelievable this 12 months. Rookie Bucky Irving was fifth in missed deal with pressured charge amongst all operating backs with no less than 100 carries in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus headed into Sunday’s recreation. That quantity most certainly went up as part of his 20-carry, 113-yard effort towards the Panthers.
Rachaad White’s 389 receiving yards rank seventh amongst all operating backs. And for enjoyable, the Bucs throw Sean Tucker out on the sphere from time-to-time and all he does is common over six yards per carry.
The offensive line is anchored by the perfect left deal with in soccer. Tristan Wirfs stepped on an NFL soccer area as a rookie in 2020 and instantly performed at an All-Professional degree. That’s remarkable within the fashionable NFL. He has solely gotten higher over the previous 4 years.
Rookie heart Graham Barton has had his ups and downs in his debut season, however the particular traits are there. Guard Cody Mauch and deal with Luke Goedeke have developed into essentially the most formidable proper aspect within the league. Ben Bredeson is taking part in the perfect soccer of his life. The group as an entire has allowed simply 93 pressures on the season; whereas paving the way in which for Irving and White every go over 1,000 whole yards on the season with a recreation nonetheless to play.
Regardless of dropping Chris Godwin, who was within the midst of maybe the perfect season of his profession, the Bucs receiving corps has stepped as much as maintain the passing recreation buzzing. Mike Evans is poised to increase his unprecedented 1,000-yard receiving streak to start out a profession regardless of lacking 3.5 video games this 12 months. Since his post-bye week return, he’s now averaging 3.15 yards per route run by way of Sunday’s recreation. On the season, solely Puka Nacua has a better effectivity.
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
And behind Evans, Tampa Bay has sufficient in a supporting forged to maintain the engine operating. Over the previous 4 video games Jalen McMillan is averaging 6.25 targets, 4.75 catches, 60.5 yards and 1.5 touchdowns. He’s operating his routes with extra precision and confidence and discovering open gaps in zone protection. Most impressively he has earned Mayfield’s belief within the pink zone, becoming a member of Evans and tight finish Cade Otton in that regard.
Talking of Otton, after three years of exhibiting some glimpses, he turned the Bucs passing offense for a month whereas Evans and Godwin had been each sidelined. Retaining the offense averaging over 20 factors per recreation. Most impressively, he has grow to be among the finest blocking tight ends within the league. And in his absence over the previous two weeks, Payne Durham and Devin Culp have proven the Bucs have some depth of their tight finish room.
Durham, McMillan, Culp and Tucker be a part of offensive linemen Robert Hainsey and Justin Skule in exhibiting the offense isn’t simply top-heavy however has key depth that has buoyed the offense at completely different instances all through the season. And people contributions from high to backside have been made potential due to one man.
Liam Coen Working The Coolest Present In City
Bucs OC Liam Coen – Photograph by: Cliff Welch P/R
Solely large receiver Trey Palmer has regressed from 2023, and that’s astonishing. Everybody else has improved from a 12 months in the past except Rachaad White statistically attributable to Bucky Irving’s emergence.
As I discussed earlier than, Ben Bredeson, who was forged off by the offensive line-needy Giants, has supplied constant play at left guard. Tristan Wirfs is taking part in out of his thoughts. This can be his finest season as a professional. Cody Mauch is worthy of Professional Bowl consideration. Luke Goedeke is ready to get an enormous contract subsequent season on the again of his sturdy efficiency this 12 months.
Baker Mayfield is statistically pacing with MVP candidates. Irving has a case for Offensive Rookie of the Yr consideration. Cade Otton has ascended. And on and on and on.
Offensive coordinator Liam Coen has tailored his offense to the expertise he has on the roster as an entire, and extra particularly, to the gamers he has out there at any given time. His deployment of the Pony bundle (21 personnel) and the evolution of his run recreation to suit his squad present not solely his distinctive skill to adapt in actual time to new info, however to innovate to match them.
Coen doesn’t simply ensure that to have a spherical peg for a spherical gap. He finds a peg that widens because it sinks in to make the opening larger. He’s a particular coach that matches the expertise that has been assembled for him.
The celebrities have aligned in Tampa Bay.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and OC Liam Coen – Photograph by: Jeffrey Jones/PR
Coordinator.
Quarterback.
Large uglies and playmakers.
Scheme and execution.
And shout outs to go coach Todd Bowles for creating the tradition to permit this group to thrive, and basic supervisor Jason Licht and his crew for bringing the gamers collectively. The soccer world as an entire deserves to see this unit on an elevated stage. There may be nonetheless a chance it might probably occur.
Because of the Falcons’ time beyond regulation loss to the Commanders, the Bucs are as soon as once more answerable for their future. A win over New Orleans in Tampa Bay on Sunday crowns the Bucs as NFC South champions for a fourth season in a row. Soccer followers in every single place ought to hope they’ll make it into the playoffs. As a result of in the event that they do the soccer world is in for a deal with watching Baker and this offense bake.
