More credibility for Seattle following the Bucs game. In The Athletic's new power rankings, Bucs jump to #2 bc of having beat us, and Seattle holds serve at #12 despite the loss, bc of how we looked/played.
Yep, shot themselves in the foot with unerring accuracy...repeatedly. The glum fire was deafening! The four man rush was not getting it done. Their QB was sitting in the pocket enjoying wings and a beer while his recievers found that sweet spot where no defender was even in the same time zone. If they can, in future games, manage to make life a tad less leisurely for QB's and find a cure for 'cranial rectitis' (noggin inserted where the sun don't shine), they seem to have the 'chops' (that oh so hard to quantify 'potential') to make the playoffs. Big 'IF' right? we'll see...👀
Losing at home is a big problem and that mentality has seeped into the players' consciousness. They need to know and believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are going to win. Like Mayfield believes he is invincible - he KNOWS he is going to win. This team needs that eye of the tiger - I believe Darnold has it, but the coaching, and definitely the defense...do not. You would never see such lacadaisical tackling on a team with "the eye". MM needs to grow this within himself and then imbue it with his players.
Two weeks in a row, the defense collapsed. Yes, there are injuries, but good teams overcome them. MM/JS have some work to do to improve the defense. Oh, and Okada and Pritchette should not be on the field.
Went to the game and told my buddy at halftime the last team with the ball wins to bad it was TB off a bounces. The offense is real but the soft zone defense play in the middle of the field gave Pete flash backs.
After this game, I’m sold on our QB. Given that, it’s hard to get upset or discouraged over a game that could have gone either way.
That being said, let’s not let the staff off the hook:
* Another way too conservative decision to attempt a FG. 4th-and-2 on the 26 at home early in a game with JSN and Kupp to throw to? I’m going for it every time
* Milroe. Even if you want to run a play with your third-string rookie QB, do it when you have a two-score lead
* Four-man pass rush. As soon as Woolen came out, shouldn’t you start blitzing? No point in giving time to a QB with a hot hand to torture the last DB on the depth chart. Which Mayfield did: Egbuka did almost all of his damage(1) in the 11 minutes of possession with Pritchett on the field. (I don’t mean to be too hard on Pritchett—you can expect only so much out of the last DB, especially when you already have a backup safety in the game and three starting DBs out)
(1) Egbuka with Woolen in the game: 2rec/30yds in 22m TOP; Egbuka after Woolen’s concussion: 5/133 in 11m TOP
I was disappointed for Sam at the end. He played so well, and was going toe to toe against another offense that was firing on all cylinders. But as is often the case, your mistakes catch up with you. We beat ourselves offensively in the first half, and then couldn't do enough (even though the offense did plenty in the second half) to win the game. Good to know if we do need to outscore somebody later in the year, we have the firepower to do it.
If we had finished some drives in the first half, I think the run game would have come alive big time. We had success, we just didn't use it as much as we otherwise would have playing catch-up football. Hopefully we see it next week against the Jags.
The missed tackles and disorientation on defense are surprising to me. I know, a lot of moving parts with injuries, but these guys have had reps. To Mike MacDonald's credit, he shouldered the blame for not putting them in better spots, but he also called out the missed tackles. Limited pressure on Baker, and when there was pressure, we didn't have discipline in our rush lanes and he easily leaked out. Just all around, a bad look for the defense. The run defense was solid though. Mike Morris ain't it. He looked so slow. Ivey should have been given his reps.
The last thing I was expecting for this year was to be concerned about the defense, and confident in the offense.
Yeah. My hopes for Morris are fading fast now. Good to know Sam's interception wasn't due to Goff-level mad panic. MM said he was trying to dirt the ball and stop the clock when a head popped up out of nowhere. Early razor thin loss I'll take over many Geno wins. Game 5 and we see the gods of football aren't with us. Cool. Best we make our own luck and carry on thru the Playoffs.
Darnold, in my opinion, is the real deal. He seemed very decisive and made great decisions throughout the game. The TD to Horton where he evaded all of the pressure around him took my breath away. I thought he was definitely going to take a sack there.
I had low expectations for our ground game today and was happy to have been proven wrong. Charbonnet did the yeoman's work, grinding out yards and wearing out the DL front of the Bucs. Walker was a dagger slicing them for several long gains.
Loved the Walker tush push in a non tush push situation. To go from a 2 yard gain to an 8 yard gain was a marvel to behold. Showed a lot of heart and heads up play from all involved.
Barner had a great game today. I really loved to see him as involved as he was. It was also nice seeing Horton with some targets as well.
JSN... What more can we say at this point? DK who?
The defense simply under performed today and I have to say I am starting to feel some concern. That side of the ball has had some great moments this year but today it did not feel as if they showed up at all. Maybe the injuries to Witherspoon and Love allowed for the wide open Tampa receivers over the middle? The tackling was embarrassing and the lack of pressure dismal.
My expectation for this game was a low scoring game with low offensive output from both sides. I did not expect a game reminiscent of a Marino/O'Brien duel or a reenactment of the Mahomes/Allen playoff game.This game was very exciting and we were in it all the way until the end, as we have been all season.
MM went strictly Zone with his DBs and regrets that. It's why guys were "wide open". I'm seeing the rise of "Barnburner Football" which will find another decibel by the 12s in attendance. Good to see Kupp going with Barner's plaid shirt lumberjack look. Time now to raid my attic. I'll be looking for who sews AJ's tri-color multi plaid...
It makes sense Tampa was able to take advantage of a strictly zone defense. Mayfield is a great quarterback with a ton of heart. The Browns really blew it with the Mayfield decision.
Once things are fully rolling, the Barner/Arroyo tandem is going to present matchup difficulties for opposing defences. "Barnburner Football." Love it!
One last thought. I am sure there is a strategy for Milroe's development and I can envision some day in the future when we are giving high fives for electric Jalen Milroe plays. For now, it seems like we are deploying him when the stakes are high and he is not ready for that. I would much rather see these types of gadget plays when the game is long decided and then when we have some success with that, unleash the Kraken.
Very very surprised at how steep the drop off was on defense, at least in the back end. Receivers were routinely 5-10 yards open. Each Buc drive started feeling like a TD was inevitable.
MacDonald took the blame, and didn't sugarcoat anything. What was a positive for me was that there was no bewilderment in his voice that started being typical near the end of the Pete era.
Darnell was an absolute stud, period. I've seen enough now up close and personal to believe that he is absolutely good enough to lead us anywhere. That 99 yard drive was magnificent, capped by his improvising under pressure of 4th down for a TD. Next level stuff.
But his talents will be wasted if MacDonald can't fix the D. Not sure whether getting starters healthy will be enough. Edge play just isn't what we'd hoped...
At this point why put the ball in a rookie qb's hands AT ALL when you have an absolute baller at QB. If you need a tush push type play, give it to Barner.
I was heartened by going for it on 4th and 2 at their 20 and scoring the TD late in the game. Didn't seem like we could stop Baker at that point so that was absolutely the right choice. Unfortunately a couple bad bounces for us in an absolutely thrilling game. Just hope they can also beat the Niners in Tampa next week.
More credibility for Seattle following the Bucs game. In The Athletic's new power rankings, Bucs jump to #2 bc of having beat us, and Seattle holds serve at #12 despite the loss, bc of how we looked/played.
Can we ask for a week 5 Bye next year?? Giants. Bucs. Ugh.
Yep, shot themselves in the foot with unerring accuracy...repeatedly. The glum fire was deafening! The four man rush was not getting it done. Their QB was sitting in the pocket enjoying wings and a beer while his recievers found that sweet spot where no defender was even in the same time zone. If they can, in future games, manage to make life a tad less leisurely for QB's and find a cure for 'cranial rectitis' (noggin inserted where the sun don't shine), they seem to have the 'chops' (that oh so hard to quantify 'potential') to make the playoffs. Big 'IF' right? we'll see...👀
Another thing...
Losing at home is a big problem and that mentality has seeped into the players' consciousness. They need to know and believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are going to win. Like Mayfield believes he is invincible - he KNOWS he is going to win. This team needs that eye of the tiger - I believe Darnold has it, but the coaching, and definitely the defense...do not. You would never see such lacadaisical tackling on a team with "the eye". MM needs to grow this within himself and then imbue it with his players.
Two weeks in a row, the defense collapsed. Yes, there are injuries, but good teams overcome them. MM/JS have some work to do to improve the defense. Oh, and Okada and Pritchette should not be on the field.
Great article SSJ, just how I saw the game. I’m now question the D ability to keep us in the game as there was no game wining presume put on TB
Went to the game and told my buddy at halftime the last team with the ball wins to bad it was TB off a bounces. The offense is real but the soft zone defense play in the middle of the field gave Pete flash backs.
MM says going strictly Zone with his replacement guys may have been a mistake.
After this game, I’m sold on our QB. Given that, it’s hard to get upset or discouraged over a game that could have gone either way.
That being said, let’s not let the staff off the hook:
* Another way too conservative decision to attempt a FG. 4th-and-2 on the 26 at home early in a game with JSN and Kupp to throw to? I’m going for it every time
* Milroe. Even if you want to run a play with your third-string rookie QB, do it when you have a two-score lead
* Four-man pass rush. As soon as Woolen came out, shouldn’t you start blitzing? No point in giving time to a QB with a hot hand to torture the last DB on the depth chart. Which Mayfield did: Egbuka did almost all of his damage(1) in the 11 minutes of possession with Pritchett on the field. (I don’t mean to be too hard on Pritchett—you can expect only so much out of the last DB, especially when you already have a backup safety in the game and three starting DBs out)
(1) Egbuka with Woolen in the game: 2rec/30yds in 22m TOP; Egbuka after Woolen’s concussion: 5/133 in 11m TOP
Oh my goodness, how we have changed our collective mind about Sam Darnold over the last five weeks. Geno who?
I was disappointed for Sam at the end. He played so well, and was going toe to toe against another offense that was firing on all cylinders. But as is often the case, your mistakes catch up with you. We beat ourselves offensively in the first half, and then couldn't do enough (even though the offense did plenty in the second half) to win the game. Good to know if we do need to outscore somebody later in the year, we have the firepower to do it.
If we had finished some drives in the first half, I think the run game would have come alive big time. We had success, we just didn't use it as much as we otherwise would have playing catch-up football. Hopefully we see it next week against the Jags.
The missed tackles and disorientation on defense are surprising to me. I know, a lot of moving parts with injuries, but these guys have had reps. To Mike MacDonald's credit, he shouldered the blame for not putting them in better spots, but he also called out the missed tackles. Limited pressure on Baker, and when there was pressure, we didn't have discipline in our rush lanes and he easily leaked out. Just all around, a bad look for the defense. The run defense was solid though. Mike Morris ain't it. He looked so slow. Ivey should have been given his reps.
The last thing I was expecting for this year was to be concerned about the defense, and confident in the offense.
Yeah. My hopes for Morris are fading fast now. Good to know Sam's interception wasn't due to Goff-level mad panic. MM said he was trying to dirt the ball and stop the clock when a head popped up out of nowhere. Early razor thin loss I'll take over many Geno wins. Game 5 and we see the gods of football aren't with us. Cool. Best we make our own luck and carry on thru the Playoffs.
The NFL is a war of attrition, so hopefully after the bye week we get the majority of the team back on the field.
Wow, what a game.
Darnold, in my opinion, is the real deal. He seemed very decisive and made great decisions throughout the game. The TD to Horton where he evaded all of the pressure around him took my breath away. I thought he was definitely going to take a sack there.
I had low expectations for our ground game today and was happy to have been proven wrong. Charbonnet did the yeoman's work, grinding out yards and wearing out the DL front of the Bucs. Walker was a dagger slicing them for several long gains.
Loved the Walker tush push in a non tush push situation. To go from a 2 yard gain to an 8 yard gain was a marvel to behold. Showed a lot of heart and heads up play from all involved.
Barner had a great game today. I really loved to see him as involved as he was. It was also nice seeing Horton with some targets as well.
JSN... What more can we say at this point? DK who?
The defense simply under performed today and I have to say I am starting to feel some concern. That side of the ball has had some great moments this year but today it did not feel as if they showed up at all. Maybe the injuries to Witherspoon and Love allowed for the wide open Tampa receivers over the middle? The tackling was embarrassing and the lack of pressure dismal.
My expectation for this game was a low scoring game with low offensive output from both sides. I did not expect a game reminiscent of a Marino/O'Brien duel or a reenactment of the Mahomes/Allen playoff game.This game was very exciting and we were in it all the way until the end, as we have been all season.
MM went strictly Zone with his DBs and regrets that. It's why guys were "wide open". I'm seeing the rise of "Barnburner Football" which will find another decibel by the 12s in attendance. Good to see Kupp going with Barner's plaid shirt lumberjack look. Time now to raid my attic. I'll be looking for who sews AJ's tri-color multi plaid...
It makes sense Tampa was able to take advantage of a strictly zone defense. Mayfield is a great quarterback with a ton of heart. The Browns really blew it with the Mayfield decision.
Once things are fully rolling, the Barner/Arroyo tandem is going to present matchup difficulties for opposing defences. "Barnburner Football." Love it!
“…it did not feel as if they showed up at all.”
Five of them literally did not show up.
One last thought. I am sure there is a strategy for Milroe's development and I can envision some day in the future when we are giving high fives for electric Jalen Milroe plays. For now, it seems like we are deploying him when the stakes are high and he is not ready for that. I would much rather see these types of gadget plays when the game is long decided and then when we have some success with that, unleash the Kraken.
Very very surprised at how steep the drop off was on defense, at least in the back end. Receivers were routinely 5-10 yards open. Each Buc drive started feeling like a TD was inevitable.
MacDonald took the blame, and didn't sugarcoat anything. What was a positive for me was that there was no bewilderment in his voice that started being typical near the end of the Pete era.
Darnell was an absolute stud, period. I've seen enough now up close and personal to believe that he is absolutely good enough to lead us anywhere. That 99 yard drive was magnificent, capped by his improvising under pressure of 4th down for a TD. Next level stuff.
But his talents will be wasted if MacDonald can't fix the D. Not sure whether getting starters healthy will be enough. Edge play just isn't what we'd hoped...
Most points given up since 9/30/2024 to Lions, 42 points.
At this point why put the ball in a rookie qb's hands AT ALL when you have an absolute baller at QB. If you need a tush push type play, give it to Barner.
I was heartened by going for it on 4th and 2 at their 20 and scoring the TD late in the game. Didn't seem like we could stop Baker at that point so that was absolutely the right choice. Unfortunately a couple bad bounces for us in an absolutely thrilling game. Just hope they can also beat the Niners in Tampa next week.
We could see Big Leo was capital PISSED. I think we will find the Bucs will be in the SB this year. Very tough bunch.
Wild TD for No-e in the Arizona game.
Yeppers, that was nice. Go Tyler.
Put Milroe on the bench and leave him there!!
He’s done nothing in his 3 snaps. He should just run or at the very least execute a simple option pitch