Another opponent, another defensive coordinator, and still the same disastrous ending. For the second time in three weeks, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watched their shot at extending a game vanish into thin air because they couldn’t pick up a defensive back blitzing completely untouched off the edge. This isn’t just an execution thing anymore; it’s a full-blown crisis.
The Identical Disasters That Are Costing Games
It’s almost unbelievable how identical these losses have been. Just this past Sunday, in a 26-19 overtime heartbreaker against the Pittsburgh Steelers, it all came down to fourth-and-eight. Who came free? Jalen Ramsey, screaming off the right edge, no one even touching him. He got an 11-yard sack on Jalon Daniels, ending their comeback hopes right there. And get this, the Steelers basically ran the same blueprint that Green Bay used earlier. Pittsburgh rushed five guys, but they dropped Nick Herbig and Cameron Heyward into coverage. What happened? Tampa Bay’s offensive line slid the wrong way, and the running back was way too late to even see the outside threat. Another game-ending, unblocked defender. Sound familiar?
It should, because in Week 4, against Green Bay, the Bucs faced fourth-and-eleven and guess what? Safety Evan Williams came completely untouched off the edge, forcing Daniels into a desperate incompletion that sealed a 17-14 defeat. The craziest part? Williams had *already* sacked Daniels earlier in that very same series. They saw it once, got burned, and then let it happen AGAIN when Green Bay went back to it.
The Coaching Staff Has To Find An Answer. Now.
This is where Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has to answer some serious questions. Defensive coordinators out there are straight up targeting Tampa Bay’s vulnerabilities and just eating them alive in the biggest moments. You gotta have an answer before the snap, right? Whether it’s sliding protection, keeping extra blockers in, or having hot routes ready, the scheme has to protect its guys.
Now, Jalon Daniels isn’t totally off the hook, sure. Recognizing pressure and adjusting protections? Absolutely on a quarterback’s plate. But let’s be real, this is an undrafted rookie in only his third career start. Expecting him to magically solve perfectly disguised pressure packages when his own coaches aren’t giving him adequate schematic support? That’s just not fair. What’s wild is that the Bucs’ offensive line *can* protect well in conventional situations. But the second defenses throw in late movement, simulated pressures, or bring defensive backs from the edge, the communication just vanishes. It’s a breakdown, plain and simple.
Losing two games in almost identical, heartbreaking fashion? That’s not a coincidence, and it’s way past being just a “rookie learning experience.” This is a recurring, fundamental failure in coaching and preparation. Until Robinson and that staff can figure out how to counter these blitzes, every defensive coordinator in the league is going to keep coming after them. The ball is in their court to fix this. Fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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