Bucs vs. Broncos Tape Notes: Offense

For each new article each week, I’ll re-watch the All-22 tape the day after the game and download my notes. It’ll be in more bullet-point format and less formal. It’ll usually be published as two articles, one on offense and one on defense.

With that in mind, here are some notes on Week 3’s attacks: Broncos.

Buccaneers’ first half offense

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR

Offensive coordinator Liam Cohen watched tape from the Week 2 game against Detroit and made some obvious adjustments.
- The offensive philosophy emphasized the fast game and play action.
  - 29% of Baker Mayfield’s dropbacks in the first half were play-action.
  - 64% of Mayfield’s first-half dropbacks could be classified as quick game (WR screens, quick slants, speed outs, arrow routes).
The Buccaneers only managed two shots from deep in the first half, both in odd spots.
- 2nd Drive – 3rd & 4 – Corner route hole shot intercepted by Mike Evans
- 5th drive – 4th down, 2 yards – out-and-up to Chris Godwin is incomplete as Mayfield’s hand hits Nick Bonito on the release (Tristan Wirfs allowed).
The Buccaneers didn’t have much success with first downs throughout the first half, and a lot of that was down to their run/pass ratio and lack of success in the running game.
- 7 runs for 49 yards – 7.0 average – 28.6% success rate (one 32-yard run skewed the results, the rest of the game was a 2.83 average)
- 7 yards per attempt – 7.0 average – 100% success rate
The offensive line was highly successful thanks to a game plan that minimized impact.
- Allowed three pressures and only one sack
  - Mayfield was pressured, receiving two pressures and a sack.
The run game is much more effective running gaps than zones.
- GAP – 4 carries, 49 yards – 12.25 average
- Zone – 5 carries, 17 yards – 3.4 average