Where do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to focus in the bye week to get back on track?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered their bye week on a low after losing their last two games and three of the team’s last four games in the 2020 NFL season. All three losses were in high profile games against playoff-caliber opponents. All of this has to have the team looking for answers and appreciating the week to gain rest and the opportunity to recalibrate.
Although the team surely took much of the week off as is mandated in the collective bargaining agreement, it does not mean players could not have been working on things on their own. It also doesn’t mean the coaches cannot get together to start making adjustments in formations and
playcalling.
Although things have looked bleak recently, the Buccaneers are still in a great position to earn one of the Wild Card spots for the playoffs. They also have the ability to win at least two of their final four games which would put them at 9-7 at the worst which would be an improvement on last season. It may not be what they were thinking back when they were 3-1 but what they need to do is focus on how to turn things around for the final stretch of the regular season.
The goal now for the players and coaching staff should be to find a way to be playing their best football before the postseason. Their schedule will help but the late bye week should also have provided opportunities for this to happen. In that light, here’s where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to be focusing their efforts during the bye week.
4. Ignite the running game
The Buccaneers offense has been at its best when they have had a running game to help complement the passing game. At times, the team has been too pass-happy and has ignored the running game.
Even though he is not the play-caller, the Bruce Arians offense tends to get fixated on deep passing plays and is not always keen on the running game and taking what the defense wants to give them.
The team should look to go back to giving Ronald Jones a minimum of 20 carries per game to see what they can do. Brady loves play-action passes so having a commitment to the run game does not have to be an issue. It could actually help the passing game by providing something else for the defense to focus on.