Game 2 Drive Analysis: What a Difference a Week Makes

What once seemed like the end of the world for the Buccaneers and the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, now seems like something promising rising from those ashes left behind in Raymond James Stadium.

For this article, I will cover defensive drives against, offensive drives, and penalties. Since the sample points are quite limited, I will post last year's averages to give us fans perspectives - especially defensive perspective since it is the second year of a Lovie Smith defensive program.

Game 1 Drive Analysis:  Tampa, We Have a Problem

Defensive Drives Against

The bye split averages show improvement from last season. The first game of 2015 against Tennessee and rookie QB Marcus Mariota did limit the yards accrued, but gave up several long scoring drives. Let us peer into the second game of the season against division rival New Orleans Saints and QB Drew Brees.

This game is similar to how the defense played after the bye week.  Notice the yards accrued and points allowed. Those stats run akin to last year's defensive production after the bye week, which would have ranked in the top 10. The score would have been worse if the Bucs' offense did not fumble later in the game, giving the Saints some life.

Please note how only six points, not seven points, were scored after New Orleans scored a TD. After the 80 yard TD drive was given up, the special teams prevented a 2-point attempt. On the 11^th drive where the Saints scored after a Doug Martin coughed up the ball on the New Orleans' 30 yard line, the Saints scored a TD, but the extra point attempt was blocked. While it just seemed like a meaningless point or two, those missing points paved way for a seven point cushion for the Bucs.

Comparing the two games of 2015.

Outside of the offensive scoring allowed, things look relatively the same with the first game.

Tennessee Offensive Play Calls:   Pass 16, Run 32

New Orleans Offensive Play Calls:  Pass 38, Run 27

The Bucs' defense also created 3 turnovers against the Saints whereas it created only one turnover facing the Titans. Adding to the joy, there was a pass rush to be praised as DE Jacquies Smith had three sacks and DT Gerald McCoy had one sack.

There were a lot of good things that happened at the Dome.

Offensive Drives

The offense went from bad to worse last year. The offense this year seemed to have started where it left off from the previous season, but the offense was forced to deviate from its original game plan of relying on the run game when the defense kept allowing the Titans to simple score at ease drive after drive.

This chart makes me shed a tear of happiness as the offense increased plays, yards accrued, scoring, and long drives compared to the 2014 - 2015 season's lack of production. And to think the offense left points on the field.

Tampa Bay Offensive Play Calling vs. Tennessee: Pass 33, Run 26.

Tampa Bay Offensive Play Calling vs. New Orleans: Pass 21, Run 35.

The offense was able to flip the way it called the plays, and a huge kudos to the defense. Watch OC Dirk Koetter's interview on the Buccaneers' official website discussing about the offense as I left a link in the next section.

Penalties

There were 11 penalties called. The breakdown of the 11 penalties called is as follows: offense - 7, defense - 4, and ST - 0.

From the Buccaneers official website, I liked what OC Koetter said about certain offensive penalties, "It's one thing to get a hustle penalty... but the two holdings on the screens...  that's not a hustle play, that's a senseless play."

Conclusion

Good play everywhere. The offense was able to dictate its own play calling as opposed to become one-dimensional due to the score. The special teams was special as it prevented a 2-point conversion, blocked an extra point, and kicker Kyle Brindza not only scored 14 points, but limited the run backs on kickoffs. The defense produced pass rush, turnovers, limited scoring, and held onto a lead in the fourth quarter. Recall, last season the team had six games where the defense blew fourth quarter leads.

The ability to shut down an opposing offense and holding onto a lead at the end of the game was the biggest concern with me from last season. Knowing the defense can achieve that aspect of the game gives confidences not only to the players, but a fan like me who noticed the terrible trend last year.