Each week, after each Bucs game, we’ll take a closer look at the distribution of snaps on Tampa Bay’s offense and defense. Assess what you can learn from this game from the players who played the most and the players who played the least.
Here’s a look at which players got the most snaps and which players got the least during the Bucks’ 24-18 loss to the Bills in a bizarre Thursday night game in Week 8. Let’s take a closer look.
bucks offense
The return of running back Chase Edmonds didn’t have the impact Bucs fans expected. He ran the ball three times for five yards on 12% of his snaps. But what it did was keep Ke’Shawn Vaughn off the field, as Vaughn had one rushing attempt for 1 yard on a 6-snap completion rate. To be fair to Edmonds, all of his carries came when the Bucs were retreating into their own end zone and getting really hot. I would like to see him make some of those attempts further down the field.
Bucks RB Chase Edmonds – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Not only did Rathard White take the majority of the snaps at running back, 82% of them were his second-highest snap count this season. This follows Monday night’s game against the Eagles, when White played 91% of the snaps.
The Bucs have been seeing something in him lately, not necessarily in the run game, but as a receiver.he piled up lead a team He gained 70 yards in the game and had 109 total scrimmage yards.
Wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin played an accurate amount of snaps at 85%, while Trey Palmer wasn’t far behind at 81%. This was the highest percentage of snaps Palmer has played in his young career, but what happened?
Palmer had three catches for 15 yards, and the biggest moment of the game was a holding penalty that forced a long run back from White. Palmer has been called for multiple penalties in recent weeks, although the referee’s decision may not have been the best. Deven Tompkins’ 16% of snaps was also his lowest of the season.
Tight ends Ko Kieft and Payne Durham also saw fewer snaps. Kieft stuck to his block as usual, but Durham made a costly drop down the middle of the field. Cade Otton had four catches for 27 yards while still managing to earn a pass interference penalty.
backs defense
The Bucks were really without Vita Vea, who was unable to play Thursday night with a groin injury. Then Logan Hall also suffered a groin injury late in the game, which changed how much he could play in the game. As a result, Greg Gaines played a season-high 70% of snaps, leading all inside defensive linemen. Kariya Kanshi, who had no tackles in the game, was second with 59%.
Bucks OLB Anthony Nelson – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Hall was able to survive the injury and earn enough minutes to play 26%, the same as veteran defensive lineman Will Golston.
It was a memorable game for Goulston, who recorded his first career interception after Antwon Winfield Jr. tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage. Mike Green and Deadlin Senat scored 14% and 13%, respectively, helping the rotation with Vea unavailable.
There have also been some changes at outside linebacker. Last week Joe Tryon Soyinka led the unit, but this time Shaq Barrett was first with 65% and JTS was second with 57%. Anthony Nelson completed 1 percent more snaps than Yaya Diaby, and the two outside linebackers were responsible for the sacks on a night when the defense wasn’t under much pressure. Kam Gil also made a brief cameo appearance.
Nickel corner Christian Isien saw his play rate spike again, going from 35 percent last week to 91 percent Thursday night. Zion McCollum didn’t get any defensive snaps. Obviously, the playing time for these two of his players will vary from week to week depending on the opponent’s plans and the best matchup for everyone involved.
