2025 Team
In 2025, not only have the Buccaneers made it over the curse of winning on the prime-time stage in Week Two against the Texans and winning in throwback jerseys against the Jets in Week Three, but the club has repeatedly come out victorious in close games. Tampa Bay, which was already the first team in NFL history to win each of its first two games of a season with touchdowns in the final minute, became the first team since the 1970 merger with a game-winning score in the final minute of regulation in each of their first three games of the season. The Buccaneers became the third team in NFL history (also, 1994 New York Giants, 2017 Pittsburgh Steelers) to have three straight games in a single season in which they record a go-ahead score in the final minute of a game. Baker Mayfield's late-game heroics and poise under pressure have rallied the team to a 3-0 record to start the 2025 campaign.
" I felt different about this team, this year for a while now," said Mayfield. "With some of the new additions that we have had -- the potential -- but it is also, you do not know what it is going to be until it happens. The way that this group has handled it, the way guys have been able to execute, that is huge. That is maturity, that is growth, that is guys taking what we have talked about and being able to transfer it into a critical moment. I do not know if I can put it into words how difficult that is in the heat of the moment to calmly think and execute and do the little details right. It is not like we are doing these crazy schemes in these moments; guys are just doing the little things right and executing it."
Escape Artist Jalen Hurts
On Sunday, the Buccaneers' defense will face one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the NFL in the Eagles' Jalen Hurts. Hurts consistently eludes pocket pressure with ease and can make explosive plays while on the move. He has the leg drive and strength of a running back in his lower limbs to push the pile forward and has the ability to carve up defenses on short-to-intermediate throws. Hurts can fit the ball into tight windows and the Bucs will have to be on their P's and Q's on defense. Against the Jets, Tyrod Taylor was able to mitigate pressure at times by operating out of a dink-and-dunk game with quick checkdowns, or he utilized his legs. In Week Four, the Bucs will have to be disciplined in run fits and in setting the edge to not create a free lane for Hurts to exploit.
"That is tough, especially with the five guys he has in front of him," said Run Game Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote. "We all have work together, but you have to make plays. At the end of the day, It's kind of like pick 'em up, mess 'em up. Playground ball -- you have to get them on the ground someway, somehow. You just do not want his legs just taking over the game. We see that every week, we [saw] that last week with Taylor, so everybody [has] to do a good job, we have to have a good plan for him and hopefully we get him on the ground."
Haason Reddick's Prowess Against the Run
The Bucs limited the Jets to 99 yards rushing, their 11th-straight game limiting opponents to fewer than 100 yards on the ground dating back to last season. Since Week 10 of the 2024 season – the start of Tampa Bay's streak – the team has limited opponents to 3.3 average yards per carry, the best mark in the NFL over that span. The Bucs entered the Week Three matchup ranking fifth in the NFL with an average of 76.5 rushing yards per game allowed this season. Through Sunday's 1:00 p.m. slate of games, Tampa Bay's 3.6 opponent yards per carry this season is the sixth-best mark in the NFL, with their 6.10 defensive rush EPA ranking first. Bucs' outside linebacker Haason Reddick has played a pivotal role in limiting rushers. In 2025, he has eight combined tackles and two for loss, elevating the unit. Reddick pairs reactive athleticism with change of direction skills. He will face his former team and play a role in limiting Eagles' Saquon Barkley.
"He is doing a great job in the running game," said Foote on Reddick. "Seeing that last week with the fourth-and-one stop, being in that room, some guys just care about sacks, and I say [to] just keep going after it and make sure to get the quarterback down. He has been close, especially the Houston game, he missed him a couple of times. Those numbers will come, but I am definitely happy the way he is attacking the run game. With pass rushers, you have to tell them, 'Hey, you have to earn the right to rush the passer.' I have been happy with both those guys attacking that run."
