Tom Brady and the Buccaneers’ offense has struggled mightily this year and heading into a game against Joe Burrow, they’re playing a high-powered offense.
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Something just isn’t right for the Buccaneers this season. Despite retaining their offensive core and even adding high-value players like Russell Gage and Julio Jones, they just can’t seem to move the ball like they have been able to in the past.
Brady’s not turning the ball over much, but his yards per game and touchdown rate are all at very low levels. Something needs to change fast for the Buccaneers who will try to make another deep run in the playoffs.
Sitting at 6-7 in the NFC South, they hold a slight lead in the division, and thus, they qualify for the playoffs at the moment. However, qualifying with a losing record doesn’t foreshadow a great playoff run.
“There’s no lack of fight.”
🗣️: @TomBrady pic.twitter.com/QkYGUZ3Pb9
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 15, 2022
Joe Burrow’s offense ranks 6th in the league at 25.8 ppg, vastly outshining Tom Brady and the Buccaneers
Last week, the Buccaneers were outclassed by the 49ers starting a rookie quarterback, the last pick in the draft, to the tune of a 35-7 blowout.
Things don’t get easier this week as they take on the red-hot Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are winners of 5 straight games, and after they started the year 0-2, they sit in first place in the AFC North at 9-4.
When you compare the Bengals and Buccaneers, there’s a clear difference in the offensive capabilities of each team. Brady and the Buccaneers are averaging 17.2 points per game, good for 29th in the league. Meanwhile, the Bengals’ offense is averaging 25.8 points per game and sits at 6th in the league.
There’s a large gap between the two teams coming into this matchup, and it’s an unprecedented one at that. Brady’s touchdown percentage this year is at a career low at 2.9%. His 9.4 yards per completion is the lowest mark of his career for seasons where he was a full-time starter. All told, Brady’s not playing the same way he was a year ago.
Buccaneers are averaging 17.2 points per game, 28th in the league and on pace to be the fewest in any NFL season for Tom Brady. This is the Buccaneers’ worst scoring offense since 2009, when Tampa’s quarterbacks were Josh Freeman, Byron Leftwich and Josh Johnson.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 18, 2022
Brady clearly still has the ability to make plays and hit throws on target, but something has gone wrong in Tampa. Perhaps it’s the coaching? Fans have been clamoring to have Todd Bowles and Byron Leftwich removed from playcalling duties. However, looking at it deeper, the issue is probably a collection of many issues.
The Bengals are hitting their stride at the right moment, and they will look to take advantage of a slow Bucs team that has scored above 30 points just once this year.
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