Week 17 Snap Count Analysis: Bucs vs. Panthers

This round of running back snap count distribution went in favor of Rachaad White over Leonard Fournette, just outlasting him 39 to 36 out of a possible 78 snaps. The run game is still a mess for the Bucs as their top two backs combined for just 50 yards on the ground. But they both did contribute in the passing game again, with White averaging 5.2 yards per catch and Fournette averaging 4.8. The less percentage of plays also meant that Tom Brady had a lot of empty backfield sets.

No Cam Brate meant it was the Cade Otton show at tight end. He had the most snaps out of any skill position players with 68 out of 78. Ko Kieft was around his usual percentage with 29%, and Kyle Rudolph was seldom used, playing on 14% of the snaps.

It was an exceptional day for the wide receivers. Mike Evans went off with 10 catches for 207 yards and three touchdowns. More importantly, those touchdowns all came on deep balls from Brady, so their connection has seemingly been restored. While Evans deserves the headlines, Chris Godwin had one more snap than him and also was very productive with nine receptions for 120 yards.

Russell Gage made some clutch receptions on third and fourth downs, making three catches for 33 yards as well. Julio Jones only had a limited amount of playing time with 22 snaps. I’m wondering how much his knee injury flared up in the game to bother him.

Bucs Defense

The Bucs had six defensive players in for 100% of the snaps with two others at 98% and 95%. They’ve relied heavily on their top players – including players that are either recently coming off of injury or don’t typically play all the time – to play a whole lot.

That includes players such as Anthony Nelson, who is quickly playing well enough to earn himself a second contract after his strip-sack of Sam Darnold in the fourth quarter helped put the game away for the Bucs. Nelson has performed adequately with only he and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka available at outside linebacker. Tryon-Shoyinka had a good game as well, recording seven tackles for second-most on the team.

We also have to give a shoutout to cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting. It’s been a great three-game stretch for Murphy-Bunting and he showed up big time again on Sunday with an interception and another pass breakup in the end zone. Murphy-Bunting has been a backup all season, but his number has been called in important moments and he’s stepped up to the challenge.

Linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David deserve credit. Week in and week out they play every single snap without hardly ever getting a break off of the field. David led the Bucs with eight tackles while White made seven and recovered a fumble deep in the Panthers’ territory.

It was good to see Vita Vea back on the field and playing with Akiem Hicks. They were a main factor in stopping the Panthers’ run game. The Bucs used Logan Hall a little bit more, getting him up to 35% of the snaps, especially on passing downs. We’ll probably see a lot of him next week when the Bucs don’t have anything to play for and may rest some of their usual starters.