Looking back at the Bucs’ loss to the Saints

by Gary Shelton on November 2, 2021

in general

5 Thoughts

  1. I continue to be impressed with how Sean Payton's teams overachieve. To beat this Bucs team with his third team quarterback is special. But how do you explain only one Super Bowl title?

2. The Bucs' offensive line is pretty good, but they got paddled on Sunday.









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3. After all those years with Bill Belichick, maybe Tom Brady is just allergic to Saints.

4. The Bucs' defensive line is pretty good, but they got spanked on Sunday.

5. Don't you think Trevor Simean is looking forward to seeing the Bucs' pass defense again?

5 Comments

(From Bruce Arians' Day-After Press Conference)

(On the Bucs' roughing-the-passer penalties):  "This was the one that was the most disappointing. We do a scouting report on who’s calling the game every week. This referee is very, very protective of the quarterback. They lead the league in roughing the passer penalties and we committed obvious penalties. Any time you touch them on the head, it’s a penalty. Players just have to take the responsibility to play smarter.”

(On the pass rush): "We had some free guys and just didn’t get there in time. I think we went for a strip sack and let Jameis [Winston] out one time. We just have to do a better job of finishing, especially when we’re blitzing. The back end has to hold up just a little bit longer, too, and don’t let those quick throws come out. So, it’s a combination of the coverage – because we are getting guys free, and we’re getting pressure, but we’re not finishing the job.”

(On allowing 30-plus points to the Saints in three of the last four games): “It’s strictly the offense turning the ball over  -- that and penalties. Both times down there, we’ve turned it over three times and you’re not going to beat those guys down there with the number of penalties and the turnovers. That’s all we talked about all week going into the game.”

(On the possibility of trading Robert Jones II): “It would have to be something really, really special because I love the way he’s running. It’s just one nick on Leonard [Fournette] and then ‘RoJo’ is the guy again. To me, that’s still a great one-two punch. It would have to be something extraordinary.”

(On what he’s looking forward to improving on during the Bye Week): “Discipline.”

Game Balls

Offense: Chris Godwin caught eight passes for 140 yards. No contest here.

Defense: Jerome Whitehead had nine tackles, one for loss, and a pass defensed.

Special teams: No award given.

Grades

Quarterback: Tom Brady threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns. He's been sharper, however, and he threw a pick-six of his own. Grade: C.

Running back: The Bucs couldn't get a good rhythm going against the Saints. Grade: C.

Offensive line: New Orleans won the game against the Bucs' line. Grade: F.

Defensive line: One sack isn't going to cut it. Grade: F.

Linebackers: Devin White had 10 tackles, and it was good to have Lavonte David back. But there weren't enough splash plays. Grade: B-.

Defensive backs: The game's on the line, and you can't stop Trevor Simean? Grade: F.

Special teams: Nothing special. Grade: C.

Unsung Hero

Tyler Johnson caught five passes for 65 yards.

NFL Passing Yardage Leaders

1.              Tom Brady (TB)                                                2,650

2.              Matthew Stafford (LAR)                                      2,477

3.              Kyler Murray (ARI)                                             2,276

4.              Derek Carr (LV)                                                 2,269

5.              Joe Burrow (CIN)                                               2,215

NFL Touchdown Passes Leaders

1.              Tom Brady (TB)                                                  25

2.              Matthew Stafford (LAR)                                        22

3.              Joe Burrow (CIN)                                                 20

4.              Patrick Mahomes (KC)                                         18

5.              Three Players Tied                                               17

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