Three keys for Bucs defense vs Vikings

inside the pocket

Getting pressure on Murray is important, but how Tampa Bay rushes him might matter even more. Murray remains one of the NFL’s most dangerous quarterbacks once a play breaks down. His ability to escape the pocket can turn what looks like a sack into a scramble or give Minnesota‘s receivers extra time to uncover downfield. That means Tampa Bay cannot simply send rushers without maintaining discipline. That is especially important for a Tampa Bay pass rush that needs more production. The Bucs have only three sacks through their first two games despite blitzing on 48.6 percent of their defensive snaps. Make Murray beat the defense from inside the pocket instead of allowing him to extend plays with his legs.

One thing Tampa Bay has continued to do well is stop the run. The Bucs are allowing only 75 rushing yards per game and 3.0 yards per carry, both of which rank fourth in the NFL entering Week 3. That strength matches up directly with what Minnesota wants to do offensively. The Vikings have run the football on 55.4 percent of their offensive snaps and are averaging 113 rushing yards per game. Minnesota has leaned even more heavily on the ground game on early downs. Through two weeks, 69 percent of its first-and-10 plays have been runs. If the Bucs can consistently hold Aaron Jones and the Vikings running game to short gains, they can force Murray into obvious passing situations. That would be especially valuable considering Minnesota has allowed sacks on 13.6 percent of its passing plays, the second-worst rate in the league entering the matchup.
take over the game

Stopping Jefferson completely is unrealistic. The goal has to be preventing him from becoming the player who decides the game. Tampa Bay’s secondary has already had problems through two weeks. Opposing quarterbacks have completed 75.4 percent of their passes against the Bucs, the second-highest rate allowed in the NFL entering Week 3. This cannot become a game where the Bucs repeatedly leave one corner isolated against Jefferson and hope for the best. Whether that means safety help over the top, bracket coverage in serious situations, or simply forcing Murray to look somewhere else, Tampa Bay needs to make Minnesota’s other receivers beat them.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Three keys for Bucs defense vs Vikings