And while against the Eagles, David saw his consecutive-game streak with double-digit tackles come to an end, he more than made up for it with the interceptions. The running back had 27 carries for 235 yards as the Tampa Bay offense moved the ball at will against the Eagles. That’s come from the offensive side of the ball, and that view has clouded how that defense has played for the majority of the season.
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Keeping the offensive train moving might not be a surprise for this Buccaneers team, even as they had ranked 25th in Adjusted NEP per play, but the question of this team could continue to be the quality of the defense.
With the loss, the Eagles fell to 4-6 and lost ground on the division-leading Giants, who are on their bye week.
“I think that happens, and you look at it all the time”, Kelly said. Complete opposite of that… and we’ve put him in a position to have the type of year he’s having right now. The firing of Ken Whisenhunt after a 1-6 start opened up this possibility and even if interim coach Mike Mularkey works magic (he’s 1-2 thus far, good for a 2-8 overall record, so don’t count on it), the beleaguered ownership group in Tennessee would have to open up the checkbook to Kelly should he become available. And if I’m Doug Martin, I’m pretty happy I didn’t sign the contract I had before, and I like the position I’m in now.
-Continuing their search for depth at defensive end, the Bucs on Monday claimed Kourtnei Brown off waivers from the Texans, bringing back the well-traveled pass-rusher for a second stint in Tampa Bay. A win there would be the fifth by a Bucs rookie in their 10 games, with LB Kwon Alexander also winning honors twice. He’s been on roster with the Texans for the past six games, though he was only active for one of the six games, playing primarily on special teams.
Next up for the Bucs (5-5) is the Luck-less Colts (5-5), who have had much more success with Matt Hassleback under center. He alsotied Steve DeBerg, Brad Johnson and Josh Freeman for the Bucs’ record for touchdown passes in a game. Two plays later, Winston lofted a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver to make it 7-7 with 2:51 left in the first quarter.
Eagles fans voice their displeasure at halftime Sunday. Martin continued to make plays from nothing, somehow escaping out of tiny holes and turning them into huge gains. Each of Winston’s touchdowns was caught by a different receiver and three pass-catchers finished the day with four receptions.
“I wish I could be in a room with Chip Kelly”. The Bucs played without out two starters, RG Ali Marpet (ankle) and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder).
This year, Winston has led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 5-5 record through ten games, and he is only getting better, if yesterday was any indicator.
Zach Ertz suffered a concussion in the first half and did not return.
Then there was Charles Sims’ 14-yard touchdown catch late in the second quarter.
Martin later burst up the middle for 84 yards to the 1. David had two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown in the Buccaneers’ 45-14 victory over the Eagles.
Great, not good, was the goal coming into the season.
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What’s more obvious is that teams struggle when backups take the reins. If you had only watched the first drive of the game by the Eagles, you might think this score would be flipped.
