/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51598929/619284346.0.jpg)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has held up very well against the explosive Oakland Raiders offense so far, but they did have one problematic play. A 68-yard play to Jamize Olawale, the Raiders fullback who outran almost everyone on the Bucs defense.
Here’s how that happened, and it wasn’t particularly pretty. It was, in short, a busted coverage.
Death by Wheel Route. Great play call from Oakland. pic.twitter.com/oLycLsQHsz
— Trevor Sikkema (@TrevorSikkema) October 30, 2016
It looks like he was Chris Conte’s responsibility (#23), but that can be hard to tell. Regardless, Conte gets tied up on two players, and then adjusts to chase Olawale after he’s already behind most of the defense and nearly gone. It’s not clear whether this was man or matchup-zone coverage, but the design of the play is well-done, and it fools the Bucs defensive responsibilities.
A touchdown-saving tackle by Bradley McDougald thankfully kept him out of the endzone, and allowed the Bucs defense to limit the Raiders to just a field goal — with a little bit of help from the very flag-happy referees.