Short week doesn’t afford first-place Bucs much time to rest

TAMPA, Fla.– The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to a 3-1 start with a great deal of space for enhancement.

That was coach Todd Bowles’ message in the consequences of a 33-16 triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles that left the Bucs in a familiar position– sole ownership of top place in the NFC South. With a brief week to get ready for Thursday night’s video game at department competing Atlanta, the group’s next obstacle might be the hardest it’s had up until now.

” Actually simply looking after their bodies and remaining healthy and making certain they’re all set to go,” Bowles stated. “Getting treatment when you require to get treatment and getting rest when you require to get rest.”

That figures to leave gamers little time to pat themselves on the back for what they achieved in September, and particularly how they rebounded with possibly their finest well-rounded efficiency of the season versus the Eagles after playing badly in a 26-7 loss to Denver the previous week.

The offense got 445 backyards and scored on 4 of 6 belongings at a loss zone. The defense restricted the Eagles to 227 backyards and sacked Jalen Injures 6 times after just getting opposing quarterbacks on the ground two times in the very first 3 weeks of the season.

“( We have actually) taken ownership of what we put on tape (versus the Broncos). … Everyone owned it, which’s a responsible group,” Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield stated.

Bowles stated in general, it’s a good start to the season. Still, there’s a great deal of work left, starting with back-to-back video games versus the Falcons and Saints.

” It’s certainly a big chance for us, however we can just take it one video game at a time, right?” receiver Chris Godwin stated.

” We for sure can not be looking previous any person, not to mention among our department competitors that provides a truly huge obstacle for us,” Godwin included. “. It’s going to be a huge video game for us, particularly on a brief week. We have actually got to make certain that we’re on our P’s and Q’s in the movie space and in our strategy to be able to enter there into a hostile environment. I make sure their arena will be rocking. It’s going to be a hard obstacle for us, however I believe we depend on the job.”

What’s working

Mayfield passed for 2 goals and ran for a 3rd versus the Eagles. The offense scored goals on its very first 2 belongings– a rarity for Tampa Bay. In truth, the Bucs had actually gone 20 successive video games without entering completion zone on their opening drive.

What requires assistance

The running video game is not almost as efficient as it requires to be if the Bucs are going to be as great as they believe they can be. Novice Bucky Irving scored his very first professional TD and ended up with 49 backyards on 10 brings. Beginner Rachaad White likewise hurried for 49 backyards on 10 efforts, however the ground video game has actually been irregular at finest.

Stock up

Sterling Shepard had 3 receptions for 51 backyards in his Bucs launching. The previous New york city Giants receiver was signed throughout the training school, however got hurt and never ever truly had a chance to contend for a task. The Bucs brought him back on the practice team and promoted to the active lineup for Sunday’s video game.

” He’s extremely clever, he brings a great deal of experience, he can still play … he’s extremely quick, he’s extremely sure-handed,” Bowles stated. “If he’s healthy, he’s a heck of a football gamer.”

Stock down

Punter Jake Camarda was a healthy scratch after Trenton Gill was signed previously in the week.

Injuries

An overall of 15 gamers were noted on the injury report Monday, however Bowles stated it was prematurely to hypothesize on who may not play today. All-Pro security Antoine Winfield (foot), DL Calijah Kancey (calf) and RT Luke Goedeke were all non-active versus the Eagles.

Secret number

596. WR Mike Evans ended up being the Bucs’ profession scoring leader, going beyond Martin Gramatica (592) and ending up being just the 3rd non-kicker to lead a franchise in scoring. The others are Hall of Famers Jerry Rice (49ers) and Emmitt Smith (Cowboys).

Successive

Thursday night starts a two-game stretch versus NFC South competitors. After dealing with the Falcons, the Bucs take a trip to New Orleans on Oct. 13.