bucks review The opponents for week 10 are: Tennessee Titans, here are six basic game plan strategies that will help tilt the contest in Tampa Bay’s favor. Collectively, these are designed to be more subtle than obvious strategies. For example, the number one thing a team needs to do to beat the Titans is stop Derrick Henry. Since everyone knows that, I wonder how the Bucks could win more on the edge and tip the scale from 51% favorites (current implied odds) to 53 or 54%. I would like to focus on.
When the Bucks are on defense
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Under coach Todd Bowles, the Bucs will always have an electric defense. That’s been the case every year of his tenure in Tampa Bay. However, there is an interesting division when it comes to bowls calling blitzes. The Bucs are third in the NFL in first down blitz rate at 41.41%. Similarly, on third down, his blitz rate of 41.54% ranks fourth in the NFL.
But on second down, Bowles is a little more conservative, only sending in extra rushers on 32.91% of plays (8th in the league). The Titans have one of the heaviest second down run rates in the NFL at 46.49%. A few extra run blitz calls could help the Bucs contain Derrick Henry and force Tennessee into more third-and-longs.
Bucs ILB Lavonte David and Devin White – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
test the tackle
It felt so good that I couldn’t resist. The Titans have had to rebuild their offensive line in recent years. Former Pro Bowler Taylor Lewan is gone.
The University of Tennessee is determined to acquire former first-round pick Andre Dillard. The former Eagle has performed well in limited action over the past few years, and based on that limited record and his pedigree, the Titans decided to give him a chance to be the starting left tackle.
The results were disappointing to say the least. Dillard has allowed four or more pressures and eight sacks in five of eight games against the Titans this year.
The Titans can’t keep playing Andre Dillard. He can’t even get down from Los Angeles. Instant sack. pic.twitter.com/gCBuqbhrI
— Justin Graeber (@titansfilmroom) November 10, 2023
On the other side, right tackle Chris Hubbard seems inclined to play. He’s had a great season so far, but it’s a favorable matchup for Shaq Barrett. Bowles needs to ask his edge rusher if he expects him to turn his ears back and run home in obvious passing situations. There will be fewer drops. More pass rush. This is a matchup that doesn’t require zone blitzing.
Use Carlton Davis against DeAndre Hopkins like Pittsburgh used Joey Porter Jr.
DeAndre Hopkins is showing he can still be a legitimate No. 1 receiver in the NFL at age 31. However, his impact can be minimized with the right corner and the correct game plan. Despite a big game against Atlanta the previous week, the Steelers weren’t afraid to take their big, long rookie corner and go one-on-one with Hopkins.
And they had a great result in this match.Hopkins was targeted Porter went into coverage five times and had just one catch for 17 yards.
I think we really saw the coverage advantage that Joey Porter Jr. has with his tools and temperament against DeAndre Hopkins last night.
4.46 speed, 129-inch width, 34-inch arm – this requires a lot of physical effort. And experience is serving him well.
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) November 3, 2023
Like Porter Jr., Carlton Davis III is big and long. And if he is given the opportunity to stay healthy and play physically, he could have a great game against a receiver like Hopkins. The Titans don’t have a reliable receiving option behind Hopkins. There’s no guarantee that Treylon Burks will clear concussion protocol, so if Davis can shut down Hopkins, he could shut down much of the Titans’ passing game.
when the bucks are attacking
Be prepared to take advantage of the Titans in man coverage.
The Titans’ two main outside corners are Christian Fulton and former Bucs slot corner Sean Murphy-Bunting. Murphy-Bunting enjoyed a nice recovery season, but he and Fulton similarly struggled in man coverage this season. Murphy-Bunting, who has been dealing with a thumb injury, was targeted 14 times in man coverage this year and allowed 10 catches for 143 yards and one touchdown.
Fulton allowed four catches on five targets for 91 yards. Tennessee only runs man-man about 25% of the time, so the Bucs can’t build an overall game plan around that. But to get the manly looks from Tennessee, you have to be ready to beat the man.
2 route combo. Godwin’s pre-snap movement combined with Evans’ subtle inside movement to initiate the stem created natural leverage to the outside. Godwin runs away from his man. Two routes…both open. pic.twitter.com/KiBgnYlhUy
— Joshua Quaipo (@josh_queipo) October 2, 2023
The Bucs won’t be able to complete 40% of their passes against man coverage, but if they’re prepared to do so, they can get 40% of their passing yards off a few big shots. Bucs receiver Chris Godwin has performed well against man coverage this year, earning an 80.3 receiving grade against man coverage this year, and Mike Evans earned an 84.4 grade against man coverage last year. The focus of pro football.
Be aggressive on fourth downs
Mike Vrabel may have a reputation as an “old-school” defensive-minded coach, but he is very forward-thinking when it comes to fourth-down decisions.Based on their decision-making model, the Titans will get through it with a probability of 70% When you need it. This is the sixth-highest rate in the league.
In comparison, Todd Bowles only does it when he should do it 46% of the time. That’s good for the seventh lowest interest rate. When going up against a great coach like Vrabel, Bowles will have to match up with him on his in-game decision-making in what could otherwise be a close game between both teams in transition from the playoff period. You will run the risk of allowing differences.
Run the ball…first down…from 11 players
Bucks RB Rathard White – Photo courtesy of USA Today
I can’t believe I’m writing this myself. However, while I’m a proponent of using forward passes on first downs at a much higher rate than the Bucs currently use, in some cases a single game plan is the best part of the overall philosophy. Temporary suspension may be required. The Titans allow 0.08 EPA/rush with their 3-3-5 defensive formation.
That may not seem like a big deal, but the reality is that most run plays produce negative EPA. The Titans have more of his 11 up front than any other defense.
Philosophically, Vrabel and the Titans believe they can stop scoring with just six defenders in the box. They rank 30th in the NFL in average number of players inside the box for a first down. Just 6.17. If there’s ever an opportunity to make a positive play on first down, it’s against this defense this week. The Bucs need to take advantage of this unique opportunity, as their ball-running game improved in Week 9 against the Texans.
If the Bucs can go to 11-man play on early downs, they can take advantage of Tennessee’s struggles to stop the run and create a favorable second down.
