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It’s time for Scott Reynolds’ post-game 2-Level Conversion column, which options two huge statements, two probing questions and two daring predictions. The Bucs backups blew a 17-10 halftime lead because the Falcons scored 20 second-half factors to win the season finale, 30-17. NFC South champion Tampa Bay targeted on resting its starters and completed the season 8-9, whereas Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans all completed 7-10.
2 BIG STATEMENTS
STATEMENT 1: Brady, Bucs Offense Received Sufficient Work In Atlanta
Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photograph by: USA In the present day
Followers could also be upset at the truth that the Bucs misplaced their season finale, 30-17 in Atlanta, giving Tampa Bay a dropping document this season. The 8-9 end is disappointing, and can develop into much more disappointing if the Bucs are one-and-done within the playoffs with a loss to the Cowboys subsequent Monday night time. However that’s one other column for one more day.
The constructive takeaway from the Bucs’ loss is that Tampa Bay scored on its opening possession, which is one thing it not often does. Bucs quarterback Tom Brady received in some good work regardless of enjoying behind an offensive line that was made up of a number of reserves. Brady accomplished 13-of-17 passes (76.5%) for 84 yards and a landing, and led Tampa Bay to 10 factors earlier than giving technique to Blaine Gabbert.
Extra importantly, the Bucs received out of the sport comparatively unscathed from an damage standpoint, which was prioritized over profitable the sport. Heart Robert Hainsey tweaked his hamstring and was instantly pulled from the sport after 13 snaps. Nick Leverett changed Hainsey, who needs to be able to go for the Cowboys recreation on Monday night time.
STATEMENT 2: Cowboys Finish Their Season On A Downer
Whereas Dallas completed with a formidable 12-5 document, the Cowboys ended on a bitter be aware, dropping the season finale at Washington, 26-6. With a 19-3 loss to Tampa Bay in Week 1, the Cowboys didn’t begin the season or finish the season effectively. Whereas Dallas was 3-2 in its final 5 video games, the Cowboys needed to rally late within the fourth quarter to come back again and beat the lowly Texans, 27-23, in Week 14. Then Dallas misplaced at Jacksonville in time beyond regulation the following week, 40-34.
The Cowboys did play impressed soccer in beating the Eagles in Dallas, 40-34, however that was with out Jalen Hurts at quarterback. A 27-13 win over a spiraling Tennessee group in Week 17 doesn’t look as spectacular now. Quarterback Dak Prescott has thrown at the very least one interception in every of the final seven video games, together with 4 video games with a pair of picks. Prescott has 15 interceptions within the 12 video games he’s performed in, together with one in opposition to the Bucs in Week 1. His most up-to-date interception was a pick-six at Washington on Sunday.
The Bucs have crushed the Cowboys within the final two season openers, courting again to Tampa Bay’s 31-29 win at Raymond James Stadium in 2021. The Cowboys haven’t gained a street playoff recreation because the 1992 NFC Championship Sport.
2 PROBING QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1: Did The Bucs Backups Present The Workforce Something?
Bucs LB J.J. Russell and Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson – Photograph by: USA In the present day
Completely. The drop off in expertise amongst most starters and reserves is important, based mostly on the second half loss to the Falcons. But Tampa Bay’s makeshift offensive line solely surrendered two QB hits on Sunday – and no sacks – with each coming from starters Shaq Mason and Robert Hainsey. Whereas the group’s reserve offensive linemen performed moderately effectively, notably left sort out Brandon Walton in cross safety, the remainder of the reserves stunk.
The Bucs want to search out some new, higher inside linebackers as neither Ok.J. Britt nor J.J. Russell performed effectively. If Tampa Bay loses both Devin White or Lavonte David the protection is in hassle. Britt had seven tackles in opposition to the Falcons, however 5 had been assists. He had a 37.8 Professional Soccer Focus grade, whereas Russell was the worst-graded Bucs defender in Atlanta with a 28.8 grade. He missed three tackles and solely made 4 (three assists) for a woeful 42% missed sort out fee.
Talking of missed tackles, rookie cornerback Zyon McCollum missed one other one, which supplies him eight misses on the season, based on PFF. That’s the fourth-most on protection this 12 months, and his 32% missed sort out proportion was third-worst on the group. With out query, that’s an space McCollum has to work on transferring ahead.
Sunday’s recreation will give the entrance workplace and scouting workers some extra details about rookies like McCollum, defensive sort out Logan Corridor and Luke Goedeke, who tried his hand at proper sort out, which is the place he performed at Central Michigan. That intel can be utilized to assist the group assess some wants in free company and the NFL Draft. Primarily based on plenty of the play, the Bucs may use some upgrades at a number of positions in 2023.
QUESTION 2: What Did We Study From Trask’s NFL Debut?
Bucs QB Kyle Trask – Photograph by: USA In the present day
Not a lot, aside from third-string quarterback Kyle Trask doesn’t look like able to contend for a beginning job in Tampa Bay any time quickly. Trask accomplished 3-of-9 passes (33.3%) for 26 yards and a paltry 1.6 QB ranking in his first common season motion. Granted, Trask was not given follow reps with the starters throughout the week and possibly wasn’t completely ready for the few reps he was given. Nonetheless, a go route is a go route, a slant is a slant and an out route is an out. And Trask missed extra throws than he made.
Given the truth that Trask didn’t beat out Blaine Gabbert in coaching camp and the preseason speaks volumes. Gabbert regarded good finishing 6-of-8 of his passes (75%) for 29 yards and a landing on Sunday whereas enjoying with a mixture of starters and reserves.
Sure, I lobbied for the Bucs to start out Trask and provides him the follow reps this week to raised gauge his progress in my most up-to-date SR’s Fab 5 column. However that didn’t come to fruition. Now it appears he’s even additional away from being ready to contend for the beginning job at some point.
In actual fact, Trask has to point out he can win the backup job in Tampa Bay first. That shouldn’t simply be awarded to him subsequent 12 months simply because the contracts of Gabbert, Tom Brady and Ryan Griffin are up. Trask ought to need to show he’s worthy of transferring up the depth chart in 2023 – not simply naturally elevate as a result of he is perhaps the one QB left on the roster. Throw in the truth that Trask shall be studying a model new offense subsequent 12 months and shall be beginning over with a brand new playbook and it is perhaps time for the Bucs to think about a brand new QB of the long run starting in 2023.
2 BOLD PREDICTIONS
PREDICTION 1: Bucs Profit From The Monday Night time Playoff Sport
Bucs Cs Robert Hainsey and Ryan Jensen and LG Shaq Mason – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Some Bucs followers are lamenting over the truth that the group will play the Cowboys on Monday night time, giving Tampa Bay a brief week if it beats Dallas and advances to the NFC Divisional Spherical. Understand that the Los Angeles Rams performed the primary Monday night time playoff recreation final 12 months, gained, and beat the Bucs the next week en path to profitable Tremendous Bowl LVI. So NFC groups that win the Monday night time playoff recreation are traditionally 1-0 as Tremendous Bowl champions.
That’s an fascinating, but form of meaningless tidbit. However what isn’t meaningless is the additional day or two of relaxation the Bucs’ injured starters will get with their playoff recreation being on Monday night time slightly than Saturday or Sunday afternoon. That can assist heart Robert Hainsey’s sore hamstring heal, and provides gamers like offensive tackles Tristan Wirfs (ankle) and Donovan Smith (foot) extra time to relaxation, along with defensive sort out Vita Vea (calf), security Mike Edwards (hamstring) and cornerbacks Carlton Davis III (shoulder) and Jamel Dean (toe).
Don’t fear concerning the potential following recreation at Philadelphia within the subsequent spherical. The Bucs need to handle enterprise and win the Wild Card playoff spherical first earlier than worrying about enjoying the Eagles on a brief week. In addition to that recreation would seemingly be performed Sunday night time, so Tampa Bay will solely be brief at some point – similar to the Rams had been final 12 months.
PREDICTION 2: Jensen Received’t Return For The Postseason
That is only a hunch, and I hope I’m improper about this one, however I don’t suppose Ryan Jensen will return to the energetic roster within the postseason. I simply haven’t heard sufficient constructive issues coming out of shape about Jensen’s stamina and total well being. The Bucs have per week left to both put him on the energetic roster or he’ll return to the injured reserve record for the remainder of the playoffs.
Bear in mind, if Jensen goes to start out for the Bucs within the playoffs he’ll have to have the ability to play for 60-70 snaps on recreation day. The Bucs aren’t training in full pads throughout this time of 12 months. In actual fact, among the practices are both walk-thrus or low tempo so as to maintain gamers wholesome. Jensen hasn’t performed soccer for almost six months and the group is perhaps higher off getting him totally wholesome for the 2023 season at this level .
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