Coming into the 2020 NFL season, the talk was all about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense and all the weapons Tom Brady would have at his disposal. While the offense is working to come together, Tampa’s defense has been getting it done.
Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles has this defense playing at a high level. After three weeks, Tampa Bay’s defense ranks fourth in the NFL in yards allowed (308.0 per game), third in rushing yards allowed (70.3 per game), and tied for seventh in points allowed per game (20.3), while tying for the third-most sacks in the NFL (12.0) and the second-most tackles for loss (24).
According to Buccaneers DE Jason Pierre-Paul, Bowles’ defensive scheme has the defense around the ball.
“Todd Bowles does a great job of getting everybody a piece of the ball – see the ball and go get it. I just think guys just trust him,” Pierre-Paul said on Tuesday. “We trust the plays that he’s going to call [and] he’s going to get us what we need to get. So far, he’s getting us one step closer to where we need to get.”
Rookie safety Antoine Winfield added: “I think Coach Bowles is a defensive guru – he dials it up extremely well. For us to be successful, we have to have that play-calling that he provides – which has been amazing so far. Being able to use us in so many different ways because our defense is so versatile – we have pretty much everything in a defense. For him to just dial things up, it’s just been a great look for us, and it will be our success this year – just making sure that we’re making plays out there on the field.”
Last week in the Buccaneers’ 28-10 win against the Broncos, Tampa Bay’s defense shutout Denver’s offense in the second half. In three games this season, Tampa’s defense is allowing only 8.0 points per game in the second half of games.
Bowles is well-respected around the league. The former head coach of the New York Jets has had a lot of success as a defensive coordinator in the NFL, including being named AP Assistant Coach of the Year in 2014, so the Buccaneers’ defense is in good hands with him at the helm.
With what they have on offense, the Buccaneers could be in great shape if the defense continues to play at a high level, and with Bowles leading the way, there’s a good chance that happens.
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