Back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Newsfeed

Bucs’ new run defense will be tested early, often in 2018

Much of the focus on the Bucs upgrading their defensive line has been, understandably, that Tampa Bay finished last in the league in sacks last season, with just 22. But as Gerald McCoy pointed out several times in 2017, you can't get to the quarterback if you can't stop the run first, setting up predictable passing downs.

The Bucs were 23rd in run defense last year, allowing 117.5 yards per game, up only slightly from 2016, when they allowed 117.2. They were far worse against the pass in both seasons, so that run-defense ranking is probably still skewed positive.