Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bucky Irving Missing Link To Run Game Success

It’s no secret that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rushing has not been the best in the league. In the past couple of seasons, the Buccaneers have finished the seasons at the bottom of the league when it came to running the game, dead last of 32 teams. Currently, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ranked fourth in the league in the run game in a season where the Bucs stand at 8-6, leading the NFC South. The Bucs have gained 2,021 yards on the ground with 14 touchdowns.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have Rachaad White, who has been with the Bucs for three seasons and has been a good addition to the team when drafted in 2022. White has gained over 2,0oo yards with ten touchdowns since his start with the Bucs. White was ten yards shy of a 1,000-yard season last year. During the offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers added Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen and also drafted a piece that was successful in the Bucs’ current success in their run game.

Bucky Irving

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Running Back Bucky Irving has been impressive since day one coming to the Bucs franchise. Drafted from the Oregon Ducks in the fourth round, Irving has been one of the main positives to Tampa’s run game. In last week’s 40-17 win against the Los Angeles Chargers, Bucky Irving gained 117 yards on 15 carries on the ground. Rachaad White also pitched in with 15 carries and 64 yards. Neither would score a rushing touchdown, but White would score on a pass from Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Bucky Irving has gained 852 yards on 152 carries with six touchdowns the season with the Bucs. Irving has also caught 38 passes for 296 yards. Irving currently leads all rookie running backs in the NFL in total yards and touchdowns. Irving is ranked 15th in the league in rushing yards. The Bucs will face the 6-8 Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas on Sunday night. Could Irving and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense slice through the Cowboys defense like a hot knife through butter?

Easy Sailing For Bucs?

The Bucs are favored to win against the Cowboys on Sunday night, but you know as well as I do that nothing is for sure in an NFL game. One way the Bucs could win is by controlling the game. With Irving and White in the backfield, this possible one-two punch could have the Cowboys’ defense on its heels. With Irving’s explosive exclusiveness and White’s ability to gain yards in the screen game, the two could have a field day with the Cowboys. So far this season, Irving and White have combined for 1,425 yards rushing and 635 receiving yards.

Head Coach Todd Bowels has been impressed with the success and progress of the Bucs rushing attack. Coach Bowels, allowing the ground game to develop and seeing more plays go to Bucky Irving, had this to say, according to the teams’ website.

“He’s getting more comfortable with the offense. The more comfortable he gets, the more you can give him, the more he can do. Both [Irving and White] are running well – we’re happy with both of them. Bucky has a skill you can’t teach – he can make people miss in the hole. He’s tough on the inside. Rachaad had a big run at the end of the game, as well. Using them both together seems to be working out for us.”

Final Thoughts

If the Bucs beat the Cowboys Sunday, they will be 9-6 with two games left in the season against two teams barely above .500. To add to the drama, both teams are division rivals: the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers, and the Bucs sit on top of the NFC South. Both teams would be grateful to be an L on the Buccaneers record before the NFL Playoffs. The Bucs would be in the Wild Card Round if the playoffs were to start today. To add more to the drama, veteran Wide Receiver Mike Evans is en route to completing his 11th season with over 1,000 yards.