Buccaneers - Saints postgame reactions

Immediate Game Reaction followed by overview and unit reactions. Ryan Fitzpatrick did everything he could to start a real controversy in Tampa at the quarterback position. In order to make whether or not Jameis returning in week four a tough decision as to who to start Womens Bryan Anger Jersey , Fitzpatrick would need to really lead a dynamite offense these first three weeks. One week in and he has certainly accomplished a great start. The offense was firing on all cylinders in the pass game despite a mediocre ground game accompanying it. Should Fitzpatrick follow up this performance with a couple more similar games the coaches may face quite the dilemma in week four. Quick Overview shows a historic type performance on offense.The Buccaneers came out and had a franchise record tying offensive performance.The 48-40 score was the most the Buccaneers have scored in a game since they were crowned Super Bowl champions. The Buccaneers entered the half with 31 points setting a new team record for points scored by the team in the first half.The last point of emphasis as a whole for the offense was Todd Monken continuing to call plays in what looks to be an incredible step in the right direction for this unit. For a bit more on Monken and how he helped lead this offense, check out our own Jon Marchant’s piece on just that. Offensively the team was a well oiled machine.Ryan Fitzpatrick made smooth sailing of things with his own personal record setting day through the air. Fitzpatrick finished with a 156.3 quarterback rating in which he completed 75% of his passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns. Fitzpatrick’s scrambling was a perfect compliment to his own air attack while also lending the team a late 3rd down conversion to enter the victory formation.Peyton Barber got the start while rookie 2nd round pick Ronald Jones was a healthy inactive for the week one match-up. Barber averaged 3.63 yards a carry in the game; aided by a 23 yard scamper. Without the run, Barber was running at an abysmal clip 2.55 yards a touch. The receiving core was as advertised and some in this ballgame with two electric performances from Mike Evans and Desean Jackson who both eclipsed 140 yards receiving. O.J. Howard hauled in two passes for 54 yards while second year receiver Chris Godwin also came down with a few passes for 41 yards and a touchdown of his own. The offensive line got the job done, keeping Fitzpatrick upright for the better part of the game and allowing zero sacks. The holes for the running game weren’t quite enough to spark a consistent attack on the ground but the resilience and consistency to which they played as a unit was encouraging. Marpet and Jensen both showed some gumption in the ball game when standing up for their quarterback who received a couple late hits. The defense has much work to do.The front four landed the first sack of 2018 for the team via new addition Vinny Curry. The sack was the lone time they made it home on Drew Brees despite a few other opportunities, none better than Jason Pierre-Paul’s near sack that wasn’t. With Brees consistently taking three step drops and dishing the ball out quickly there was little opportunity for the front four to work their way into the pocket. The linebackers did what they do when it comes to the duo of Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David. The two combined for 18 total tackles, splitting the total at 9 combined tackles a piece. Adarius Taylor starting in the absence of Kendell Beckwith and tallied a lone solo tackle but with the defense in sub-packages most of the day, there was little opportunity for Taylor to make an impact. Alexander also had a forced fumble recovered by the Buccaneers in this game.The corners were short handed going in and pending new information, may continue to be shorthanded as Vernon Hargreaves III made an early impact in the game forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Buccaneers but ultimately had to leave the game with a shoulder injury. Ryan Smith found himself in good position and was able to pick up a fumble forced by Kwon Alexander. Smith otherwise had a choppy day on the field including a blunder that appeared to involve himself and Chris Conte as Brees connected with a wide open receiver in the end zone.Carlton Davis got introduced to the NFL in a rough manner as Brees attacked him early and often. With Grimes out it was a building day for the rookie as he now has some regular season game film of himself to digest. The safety play and how one views it depends largely on which safety you’re talking about. Justin Evans made a few plays in the passing game and had a huge early fumble recovery for a touchdown on defense. Conte led the defensive backs in tackles with 7 but had an up and down game defending the pass as one could expect facing the likes of Drew Brees. Evans finished with 5 total tackles. Two things that have been issues in seasons before reared their ugly heads in week one. 1) This defense struggles to defend big receivers and 2) this team struggles to defend shifty backs, in particular backs that catch the ball well out of the backfield. Kamar and Thomas dominated this game against he Buccaneers defense, combining for 27 catches and 292 yards and 2 touchdowns. Special teams did their job. Shaun Wilson had one opportunity to take a kick out of the end-zone and he managed 29 yards on that very return. There was little wiggle room for punt/kick returns outside of that lone attempt via Wilson but the team didn’t make any mistakes and in turn, the offense was set up nicely on a regular basis throughout the ball game. Catanzaro missed a kick late but otherwise made an early 36 yard field goal while also nailing on all 6 extra point attempts. Anger had a single punt that went for 42 yards that got the job done despite not pinning the Saints too deep.Yarcho’s Pick Six: Bucs Shock The NFL World WOW. Are you kidding me? Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buccaneers came out in New Orleans and out dueled the high octane, sexy Super Bowl pick Saints by a score of 48-40. The offense was nearly unstoppable and the defense came up in big spots when needed. Add all that up and you have the upset of the week and a Buccaneers team in first place in the NFC South.Who would’ve guessed that would happen heading into the season?It was a crazy game that definitely kept the blood pressure spiked all the way to the end. Let’s Pick Six.Six Topics Suitable For ConversationTodd Monken Is THE MAN. - When was the last time we saw the offense click like this? Fitzpatrick finished with 417 passing yards (a career high) and four touchdowns as well as one more on the ground. The Bucs had two receivers combine for 293 yards and three touchdowns. They had two touchdowns of 50+ yards. You could tell an obvious difference in the playcalling, performance, and execution of the offense from the word go. Koetter made the right call to give Monken the reigns and the Buccaneers will reap the benefits.Pass Rush Was Decent, But Not There Yet - As the game went on, the pressure continued to get to Brees. However, the line just couldn’t seem to finish things off. If they continue to trend in that direction, this will be a formidable crew. They still have a long way to go, but things certainly aren’t as bleak as last season - or as they looked in preseason. Vinny Curry was able to get the lone sack of the day for either team, which certainly helped. As for the secondary...Secondary Still Leaves A Lot To Be Desired - Yes www.tampabaybuccaneersteamonline.com/jameis-winston-jersey , Brent Grimes was out and that didn’t help. Once the Bucs lost Vernon Hargreaves III after he had a key pass break up, Drew Brees was able to absolutely shred the secondary with no resistance. Granted, the soft coverage and prevent defense Mike Smith was calling didn’t help matters any, but the rookies still have quite the learning curve to adapt to - especially if Grimes and VHIII are going to miss significant time.DeSean Jackson Is Who We Thought He Was - When the Buccaneers signed DeSean Jackson, this is what we had visions of. Receptions of 58 yards (touchdown), 36 yards (touchdown), and 35 yards were exactly what we thought we would see on a week in, week out basis out of the speedster. Now, just have to hope that the shoulder injury isn’t serious and the concussion doesn’t linger...Mike Evans Gets The Monkey Off His Back - Historically, Mike Evans has not done well against the Saints. We’re talking about 25 receptions for 300 yards and two touchdowns in seven games. His career high in yards against the Saints was 97, coming in 2016 and he’s had four games under 50 yards - one game with zero. Not great. On Sunday, Evans exploded for 147 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions and those seven receptions came on seven targets - a 100% catch percentage for the fifth year receiver. The Bucs needed every inch of his yardage to beat the Saints and Evans was clutch all day long.Relax - Bucs fans everywhere are going to be over-the-moon hyped after this win. Enjoy it, yes - but keep things in perspective. It’s only one game. Don’t get too high off the highs or too low off the lows. The Bucs still have business to take care of, massive improvements to make, and have the defending Super Bowl champions headed to town. No, they won’t have Carson Wentz or Alshon Jeffrey - but they didn’t in week one either and still beat Atlanta. Their defense is no joke and the Buccaneers will have to be every bit as efficient on offense as they were against the Saints to steal another win. Things look good, but it’s a long season.Six Number To Consider48 - Most points scored by the Buccaneers in franchise history, including three previous times - most recently in Super Bowl XXXVII against the Raiders0 - Turnovers by the Buccaneers’ offense33 - Evans’ career touchdowns, second all-time in Bucs’ history - and only one behind Jimmie Giles31 - First half points by the Bucs, the most in franchise history when on the road2001 - The last year the Buccaneers scored more than 30 points in the first half of a game9 - Number of 20+ yard plays by the BuccaneersSix Top Performers6.) Chris Godwin - Nearly had a 100+ yard game had Fitz not had one rare miss on a deep pass Authentic Peyton Barber Jersey , but Godwin had the catch of the day as well as a phenomenal touchdown in the first half. Wasn’t the “light up the stat sheet” day I predicted, but a solid start to his sophomore season.5.) Kwon Alexander - Not a great opening drive for the linebacker, but Kwon settled in and finished his day with nine tackles, one for loss, and a key forced fumble on Michael Thomas late in the game.4.) Peyton Barber - Rough second half, but Barber ran hard all day long. Barber ended up with 69 yards on 19 carries for a 3.6 yards per carry average - that was after averaging over eight per carry in the first half. When the Bucs tried to run out the clock, the Saints sent the house after Barber. Solid game - and a bright future ahead.3.) Mike Evans - Seven receptions, 147 yards, one touchdown, and a 21.0 yards per catch average. Elite performance. Evans also climbed higher in the Bucs’ record books and will likely break two records next week against the Eagles.2.) DeSean Jackson - Five receptions, 146 yards, and two touchdowns. DJax finished with a 29.2 yards per catch average, he battled back after injuring his shoulder on the first drive, and was a major impact player all game long.1.) Ryan Fitzpatrick - A career high 417 passing yards to go with his four touchdown passes. Then add in 36 rushing yards - including the crucial eleven yard scramble to end the game - and a rushing touchdown and Ryan Fitzmagic was the best performing quarterback in the NFL in week one. Because, who didn’t see that coming?Six Best TweetsThese are the six best in-game tweets, in no particular orderThis next one was a big ol’ oops, huh?Watch the face plant by Lattimore...Too many out there can relate;Six Super Bowl Best Bets1.) Minnesota Vikings - Still think they’re the team to beat in the NFC. They have the QB in place2.) New England Patriots - Until someone knocks them off...3.) Philadelphia Eagles - Escaped Thursday with the win. The defense is one of the best and just have to tread water until Wentz returns4.) Jacksonville Jaguars - Statement win on the road. The Jags defense is still a force to be reckoned with5.) New Orleans Saints - Don’t get it twisted. This team started 0-2 last season and were a fluke play from the NFC Championship. They’re much better than they looked on Sunday and are still legit contenders16.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - I expect hand written apologies from every “expert” that picked the Bucs to be the worst team in the NFL and finish with one or two wins. You know who you are.Six Final WordsCan Bucs Shock The World Again?