Youngbuc

If you like old-school, smash-mouth football where the elements dictate everything, Sunday at Raymond James Stadium was your kind of afternoon. Playing through heavy rain, the Bucs didn't just beat the Atlanta Falcons. They physically overwhelmed them from whistle to whistle, securing a dominant 16-0 shutout to keep this mid-season surge rolling. Rewriting the Record Books on the Ground Baker Mayfield got another week of rest for his previously dislocated right thumb. He finished the game with zero completed passes on three attempts while taking a sack. The pounding rain rendered the pass game futile, so the offensive line and the backfield took full control. The Bucs completely shredded Atlanta's front, piling up a single-game franchise-record 324 rushing yards. Bucky Irving put on an absolute clinic, carrying the rock 27 times for a career-high 170 yards and a touchdown. Right behind him was Kenny Gainwell, who turned in a monstrous performance of his own with 140...

Coming off that massive 43-13 blowout win over the Panthers, the Bucs are gearing up for another crucial NFC South clash against the Falcons. The Friday practice report gave us a clear picture of who is in, who is banged up, and who is officially ruled out for Week 8. Here is the rundown of where both teams stand heading into Sunday. Bucs Offense: Egbuka Out, Gainwell and Goedeke Questionable The biggest headline on the offensive side is receiver Emeka Egbuka being officially ruled out with a foot injury. Egbuka was limited on Wednesday and Thursday before missing Friday's session entirely. Losing a key target in the passing game stings, but it opens the door for Ted Hurst and Tez Johnson to step up once again after Johnson found the endzone last week. On a positive note, Baker Mayfield was a full participant all week despite continuing to manage his right thumb. Having Baker at full go gives this offense its foundation, but his protection remains a point to watch. Righ...

After sliding down the board following that tough stretch, the Bucs finally gave us something to smile about. Following that dominant 43-13 statement win over Carolina, the power rankings are finally starting to respect what this team can do when they put a complete game together. Here is where the Bucs stand heading into Week 8. Rank: 19 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5) Movement: Up 8 spots Don't look now, but the Buccaneers are starting to look like a competent football team. Tampa Bay bumrushed Carolina with a stellar defensive showing that rendered Bryce Young ineffective at best, scored a defensive touchdown and a two-point conversion, forced four turnovers, and buried the Panthers in a 27-point hole by halftime. Bucky Irving is finding his groove too, breaking 100 rushing yards for the second time in three weeks behind an offensive line that paved the way for nearly 260 yards on the ground. The NFC South is still wide open, and if this team keeps running the ball like...

Well, talk about a response. After sliding to 1-5 and dropping four spots in the power rankings following that heartbreaking one-score loss to the Steelers, the Bucs bounced back in the absolute best way possible. Tampa Bay headed up to Charlotte on Sunday and absolutely dismantled the division-leading Panthers in a 43-13 statement blowout. Establishing the Ground Identity Baker Mayfield returned to action with a modified glove on his throwing hand to protect his dislocated thumb. With Luke Goedeke out at tackle, the coaching staff smartly adjusted the game plan to keep Baker protected and avoid long-developing pass plays. The passing game kept things simple, totaling just 64 yards on 11 attempts, but Tez Johnson made his presence felt with two catches for 33 yards and a touchdown. The real story of the day was the ground game completely taking over. The Bucs offensive line created massive lanes all afternoon, leading the team to 258 total rushing yards. Bucky Irving carrie...

The Bucs will be without three starters this week as they head to Charlotte to take on the Panthers. Baker Mayfield is listed as questionable but is expected to play with a modified glove to protect his previously dislocated right thumb.  Egbuka and Goedeke will both be out as they deal with injuries sustained in the game against the Steelers. Egbuka is dealing with concussion and foot injuries while Goedeke has a calf injury. Those are two big pieces that will be missing on the offense. Perhaps this will be a Ted Hurst breakout game or maybe Tez Johnson will finally get more involved in the passing attack. Either way, Goedeke being out might make it difficult to provide Mayfield the protection he needs to launch the ball down field.  The injury list this week was long. Not a good thing when you are heading into a must-win game against the division leading Panthers. A must-win game in October is a sad proposition but that is where the Bucs currently sit. Let's see ...

Well, it could always be worse. After losing yet another one-score-game against the Steelers this past Sunday, the Bucs dropped to 1-5 on the season and four spots in the power rankings.  The Bucs are now currently ranked 27th out of 32 teams. Firmly entrenched in the lower half of the league, the Bucs need an immediate turnaround to salvage this disappointing season. They can do exactly that with two divisional games coming up.  Baker Mayfield may return this week. Having him back in the lineup could give the offense a boost but the Youngbuc has yet to see anything out of them thus far, even with him in the lineup. Perhaps the time off will give Baker a new perspective on the offense's failings so far this season.