Limiting opponents on third down is certainly a large key to success, and forcing opponents to frequently punt the ball back to the Bucs has resulted in some of the most impressive wins in Bucs history.
Take a look at some of the top Buccaneer performances in the last 15 seasons when it comes to limiting our opponents when they face third down.
12/8/2013
27-6 victory vs. Buffalo Bills
11 attempts
1 conversion
9.1% third-down percentage
Just last season, the Buccaneers held the Buffalo Bills to a sub-10% success rate in third-down conversion. The Bucs defense piled up seven sacks in the game and forced five Buffalo turnovers.
12/16/2007
37-3 victory vs. Atlanta Falcons
9 attempts
0 conversions
0.0% third-down percentage
In addition to keeping Atlanta from converting a single third-down try, the Bucs allowed the Falcons to control the ball for just 17 minutes and one second, the second best time-of-possession in Bucs history.
10/27/2002
12-9 victory vs. Carolina Panthers
12 attempts
1 conversion
8.3% third-down percentage
On the road to the Super Bowl, the historic 2002 Buccaneers defense not only surrendered just one successful conversion, they also held the Carolina offense to just 130 net yards, the sixth-fewest in team history.
9/10/2000
41-0 victory vs. Chicago Bears
11 attempts
1 conversion
9.1% third-down percentage
The Bucs defense allowed just 96 passing yards and forced four turnovers in this 41-0 home win over the Bears, the largest margin of victory in franchise history.
1/2/2000
20-6 victory vs. Chicago Bears
12 attempts
0 conversions
0.0% third-down percentage
In Week 17 at Soldier Field, the Bucs held the Bears to 0% on third down attempts in a game that clinched the NFC Central Division. The Bears also attempted four fourth-down conversions, successful on just one.
