Bucs Film Room: Neal, Edwards Contribute To Run-Stopping Woes

Early on in Thursday night’s 27-22 loss to the Ravens, the Bucs contained Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson awfully well. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman looked to expose an undermanned secondary throughout the first half, and both the back half of Tampa Bay’s defense and its pass rush held up and frustrated the visitors. Through 30 minutes, the Ravens had just three points.

Then, in the second half, the wheels fell off. But why? Perhaps the Bucs’ offense inability to sustain drives combined with Baltimore’s rushing attack wore everyone down. Head coach Todd Bowles wasn’t interested in using that as an excuse after the game, though.

“It doesn’t matter,” Bowles said. “You try to win ball games. Defense, offense, whoever has to be out there to try to get off the field or win the ball game has to be out there. We train for this. That’s what we’re supposed to be doing, so that’s not an excuse for us.”