LA Chargers: Getting to know the fresh, new Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By Devon Auriemma
Buccaneers’ notable players and stats:
As we all know, Tom Brady made the decision to sign with the Bucs this offseason over the LA Chargers. Their offense is loaded with talent. They have two of the league’s top wide receivers in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
They recently signed former Jacksonville Jaguar, Leonard Fournette and added him to a crowded backfield. They also have one of the deepest tight end groups in the league in Rob Gronkowski, Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard and a solid offensive line, which includes their 2020 1st round draft pick, Tristan Wirfs.
The front seven for the Bucs is terrifying for any opposing offense. They are led by the 2019 NFL sack leader, Shaquil Barrett. They have multiple defensive linemen who are great at rushing the quarterback and stopping the run in Vita Vea, Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul and an incredible linebacker group, headlined by Lavonte David.
Over the first three games, the Bucs defense has been one of the best in the league. They are currently allowing the fourth least amount of yards per game to opponents and the 8th least amount of points. In their past two games, they have recorded 11 sacks and have forced six turnovers.
With the uncertainty surrounding the Chargers offensive line, the Bucs defense could be in for another dominant performance.
As mentioned before, the Bucs will be without wide receiver Chris Godwin in this matchup which likely means more targets for Evans. On the year, Evans has 10 catches for 108 yards and four touchdowns. That is an absurd stat line and it just shows how good of a receiver and end zone target that Evans is.
The Chargers will get to face Tom Brady for what could be the last time in his career. Brady has had the Chargers number for almost his entire career. The way to beat him is to put him under pressure and get to him quickly.
Brady always gets rid of the ball quickly as we saw in the 2018 playoffs where the Patriots beat the Chargers 41-28. If the Chargers pass rush is not successful against the Bucs’ offensive line, Brady will have his way with the Chargers defense.