I’m a little late in publishing this full 22-tape notes article for Bucks vs. Falcons, but Thursday Night Football throws off my schedule just as much as any NFL team, just on the back end. This will result in quick hits grouped by player.
Bucks QB Baker Mayfield
bucks running back
- Bucky Irving had his worst game of the season.
- A late fumble led to a comedy of mistakes that ended the game.
- Multiple runs where his vision led to fewer yards than he could have gained.
- Last drive of the game, just outside of FG range. The trajectory of the blocked run would put them on the edge of Chase McLaughlin’s range.
Lost in all the other shuffling, Irving was brutal in trying to bounce this run back with a third-and-25 from the 43 on the Bucs’ final offensive play.
If you trust your block, you have a chance to get your man back in field goal range, but he hesitated and tried to do something heroic, but it didn’t go anywhere. Punt.
— John Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) October 5, 2024
bucks offensive line
Bucs receivers and tight ends
Bucks TE Cade Otton – Photo courtesy of USA Today
- Mike Evans had a good game where he was always able to get open.
- TD with a great swim on the corner route.
- Besides third-down out routes, Chris Godwin caught everything else thrown at him and was open on plays that weren’t targeted.
- All receivers were competitive blockers.
- Both tight ends had good blocking games overall, but there was one big mistake.
- On the Bucs’ final drive, they run the midzone with 12 on the TE side.
- Cade Otton and Payne Durham are doubling for Smith-Williams on the front side end of the play.
- Jesse Bates III stepped into the box before the snap, giving ATL a numerical advantage and reassigning Tristan Wirfs at the second level.
- Wirfs should consider Bates’ climb in lieu of a nickel medal.
- Otton and Durham got good doubles off defensive end Smith-Williams.
- Wirfs cannot account for nickel, so he can drive to the C gap.
- Otton peels off a double with an athletic play and gets a piece for Hamilton.
- In doing so, he gives up inside leverage on Smith-Williams, allowing Smith-Williams to make the tackle and get lost.
- If White could be a little more explosive, perhaps one day he could make an explosive run past Smith vs. Williams.
- On the Bucs’ final drive, they run the midzone with 12 on the TE side.
- Otton had a good day as a receiver with a ton of yards after the catch.
