Bucs Film Room: 2nd Half Drives vs. SEA
It would be interesting to see what Leftwich called here. From shotgun in 12 personnel, he opted for a quick developing route combination known as “hoss” where Mike Evans ran a quick hitch from the outside while Chris Godwin attempted to clear out any underneath defenders by going vertical from the slot. The result was a five-yard gain to Evans setting up third and three.
Third and three can be tough for defenses because they legitimately have to defend both the run and pass. The Bucs did Seattle no favors by staying in shotgun, where they had established they were willing to run out of during this game.
After starting in a 2×2 look, quarterback Tom Brady motioned tight end Cam Brate to the left, setting up a 3×1 look to the running back’s side. This left receiver Julio Jones isolated to the boundary side against cornerback Mike Jackson. Jones was able to get leverage on Jackson running a speed out for an easy completion and a first down.
It was at this point that the Bucs decided to introduce a new wrinkle. Tampa Bay opted on first and 10 from their own 41 to run a wildcat look with running back Leonard Fournette lined up as quarterback in shotgun and Brady lined out very wide to the field as a receiver. Fournette took the direct snap and felt his way up field for a modest two-yard gain.
It was an interesting look that was designed to feel out how Seattle might handle something they most likely did not prepare for. Cornerback Tariq Woolen opted to stay tight to the box and left Brady wide open. If Fournette had so chosen (assuming he had the option) he could have flicked the ball out to Brady for a potentially decent gain.
The Bucs followed up this trick play with two more runs. The first from shotgun for seven yards, followed by one from under center on a toss sweep needing one yard that converted for a new set of downs. At this point in the drive Tampa Bay had first and 10 just on Seattle’s side of the 50.
They had run six plays. The four runs had netted 13 yards (3.25 avg.), while the two passes had resulted in 10 yards (5.0 avg.). The Bucs weren’t calling plays designed to be explosive and weren’t getting explosive results. They were two-for-two on third downs which is an unsustainable rate. You could tell this drive’s strategy was designed to eat clock and so far, the execution was allowing that to happen.
On the next play the Bucs went heavy with 13 personnel as Josh Wells checked back in as an eligible tight end. This was the fourth play that Wells had done this for in the game. On all three previous plays the Bucs had run the ball, so it was a nice change-up that they opted for play-action in this situation.
Flooding the left side of the field by bringing tight ends Brate (on a medium crosser) and Cade Otton on a short drag with Evans going vertical over the top, Brady was able to get the ball to Otton for an eight-yard catch and run. This was one of the cooler plays of the game from a scheming standpoint as the Bucs set up a tendency and then ran a fun counter for a solid gain.
Tampa Bay followed this up on 2nd and two with a pass from shotgun for 18 yards. Brady hit Godwin running a fade with a beautifully thrown back-shoulder pass. It was one of the Bucs many explosive plays on the day.
