Underlying Opportunities For Bucs vs. Titans after 6 crucial observations.
Reviewing the Bucs’ Week 10 opponent, the Tennessee Titans, here are six underlying gameplan strategies that can help tilt the contest in Tampa Bay’s favor. These are designed to be less-obvious strategies overall than the obvious. For example, the number one thing any team has to do to beat the Titans is stop Derrick Henry. We all know that and so I am hoping to spotlight how the Bucs can win more on the edges and tip the scales from a 51% favorite (the current implied odds) to 53 or 54%.
When The Bucs are on Defense
Blitz More On Second Down
Under Todd Bowles the Bucs are always going to be a blitz-heavy defense. That has been the case every year of his tenure in Tampa Bay. But there is an interesting division of when Bowles calls blitzes. The Bucs rank third in the NFL in blitz rate on first down at 41.41%. Similarly on third down they are fourth in the NFL at a 41.5
But on second down, Bowles is a bit more reserved, only sending extra rushers on 32.91% of plays (eighth in the league). The Titans are one of the heaviest run teams on second down in the NFL at 46.49%. A few extra run blitz calls could help the Bucs contain Derick Henry and put Tennessee in more third-and-lonh/PR
Test The Tack
Please pardon the alliteration there, it was too good to resist. The Titans had to remake their offensive line over the past couple of years. Gone is former Pro-Bowler Taylor Lewan.
Tennessee decided to try and take a flyer on former first round pick Andre Dillard. The former Eagle graded out well in limited action over the past couple of years and based off of that limited tape and his pedigree the Titans decided to give him a chance to be their starting left tackle.
The results have been disappointing to say the least. Dillard has allowed four or more pressures in five of the Titans eight games this year, and he’s surrendered eight sacks.
On the other side it looks like right tackle Chris Hubbard is trending to play. He has had a nice season thus far, but it is a matchup Shaq Barrett should be favored in. Bowles needs to ask is edge rushers to pin their ears back in obvious passing situations and expect them to get home. Less dropping. More pass rushing. This is a matchup that shouldn’t require zone blitzes.
Use Carlton Davis Against DeAndre Hopkins Like Pittsburgh Used Joey Porter Jr.
DeAndre Hopkins is showing that even at age 31 he can still be a bona fide No. 1 receiver in the NFL. But his effect can be minimized by the right corner and the right gameplan. Despite his big game against Atlanta the week before, the Steelers weren’t afraid to take their big, long rookie corner and match him up one-on-one against Hopkins
