Buccaneers Fall To Titans In Preseason Game Two
The Buccaneers have fallen to 0-2 this preseason after a 13-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans in week two of the preseason. A recap of the game’s action and what it means for Tampa Bay.
This was not the result that the Buccaneers were looking for in their second preseason game. They looked like a different team in Nashville on Saturday than they did a week ago against Miami as they dropped a 13-3 decision to the Titans to fall to 0-2 in the preseason. Here is a recap of the game’s action including some of the biggest takeaways and what it means moving forward for Tampa Bay.
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Buccaneers Offense Falls Flat Thanks To Offensive Line Struggles
Blaine Gabbert started the game at quarterback and played the first two series before giving way to Kyle Trask, who played the rest of the game.
After a stellar preseason debut against Miami, Quarterback Kyle Trask struggled in the loss. Trask completed 11/24 passes for 105 yards with one interception. He was also sacked four times. It wasn’t all on Trask, as he was under pressure a good share of the night. The offensive line could not keep the Titan’s defense off of Trask.
His best pass of the night, a ball that went 50 yards in the air, was dropped by Scotty Miller. Unfortunately for Miller, this was a perfectly thrown ball over the Titans defender Caleb Farley, and Miller couldn’t make the catch. Miller finished with just one catch for 15 yards, and it seems more and more likely that he doesn’t make the team.
Leonard Fournette started at running back and looked in mid-season form, netting 20 yards on five carries. He also caught two passes. More importantly, the Buccaneers may have lost yet another offensive lineman in the game. Aaron Stinnie, battling Luke Goedecke for the starting right guard spot, injured his leg when Ke’Shawn Vaughan was knocked into him by a Titans defender. Stinnie could not put any pressure on the leg as he was helped to the cart by his teammates.
In his post-game press conference, Bowles said Stinnie had a knee injury, but they wouldn’t know the extent of it until more tests were done on the knee. Goedecke, the rookie from Central Michigan, got the start, and his debut left a lot to be desired. He was called for two holding penalties and gave up a sack.
The Bucs have serious issues on the offensive line. They should be making a call to every free agent offensive linemen available today and give them a look. The offensive line was a disaster, and the team has three weeks to figure things out before the season opener in Dallas. If I’m Tom Brady, I’m considering extending my leave from the team until the offensive line issues are fixed.
Brady is not a mobile quarterback, and he will be in for a long season if this offensive line can’t block any better than they did against Tennessee.
Buccaneers’ Defense Has A Better Day Than The Offense
The defense played much better than the offense but was far from perfect. There was a lot of sloppy play from the defense, and missed tackles continue to be an issue. The second-year linebacker, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka started the game and was the best defender on the field for the Bucs in the short time he played. He had three tackles on the night, two of those for losses.
Joe Tryon out of Washington had a big time night with 2 TFL for the Bucs pic.twitter.com/RgiR643kHD — WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) August 21, 2022
Free agent linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi led the team with ten tackles and one-and-a-half sacks. Fatukasi could be working his way onto the roster with depth lacking at linebacker. In total, the Buccaneers’ defense only allowed the Titans 255 yards of offense. The team’s offense could only muster 145 yards and generate nine first downs in the game. At one point in the first half, the Bucs were zero for nine on third down conversions.
Another area that has been an area of concern for the Bucs is special teams. They let the Titans average 19.8 yards on punt returns to Kyle Phillips and Terry Goodwin. It was another disappointing night for Jaelon Darden as he netted zero yards on his only punt return opportunity.
Biggest Buccaneers Takeaways From The Team’s Game Two Loss
So what did we learn in preseason week two?
The offensive line is a disaster
Special teams’ play leaves a lot to be desired.
The Punt return game is sub-par
The tackling on defense on special teams continues to be a problem.
What went well in the game?
Ke’Shawn Vaughan had a strong night with 54 yards on ten carries.
Leonard Fournette looked ready for the season as he totaled 26 yards in limited playing time.
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka looks ready to take that next step in his development.
Our BucsBanner player of the game is linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi who led the defense with ten tackles, one and a half sacks, and two tackles for loss.
The Buccaneers are now 0-2 in the preseason and will play the Indianapolis Colts next weekend to wrap up the preseason.
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