Josh Grizzard critiques Bucs’ red zone struggles ahead of Patriots matchup
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves with a solid 6-2 record as they prepare to face the New England Patriots, yet there are clear areas ripe for improvement. Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard has pinpointed one such area that requires immediate attention: the team’s performance in the red zone.
Red zone efficiency needs improvement
Despite their recent success, including a decisive 23-3 victory over the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago, the Buccaneers have encountered challenges when it comes to converting opportunities within the opponent’s 20-yard line. In that game, they faced a critical moment when they were stationed just a yard away from scoring not once, but twice. In their first attempt, they ran the ball four consecutive times and failed to score, turning the ball over on downs. It wasn’t until their second try, after three failed attempts, that they finally found the end zone, thanks to a determined run by Sean Tucker.
Addressing these missed opportunities during a media session, Grizzard emphasized the necessity for the team to improve their red zone running game. “When you get the ball on the half-yard line, you need to be able to score, and generally that means running it in,” Grizzard stated. “Good teams can pound it in. It comes down to fundamentals, techniques, pad level, and how we hit our blocks.”
The need for versatility in playcalling
Grizzard also highlighted the importance of maintaining versatility in their offensive strategy. He acknowledged that if their ground game isn’t yielding results, the team may need to take to the air to keep the defense honest. “It comes down to pad level and the want-to,” he continued. “If you get it down there that low, you’ve got to be able to punch that thing in.”
Currently, the Buccaneers rank 26th in the league for red zone scoring, managing to score touchdowns on just 50% of their red zone attempts. Additionally, the run game as a whole leaves much to be desired, sitting at 26th in yards per rush (3.8) and 24th in rushing yards per game (98.1). The ongoing absence of Bucky Irving, whose role remains ambiguous, could be contributing to these struggles. However, until he returns, the Buccaneers are focused on bolstering their red zone effectiveness.
Upcoming clash with the Patriots
As they gear up for their matchup against the Patriots—who currently hold the dubious distinction of having the league’s weakest red zone defense—the Buccaneers see this as an opportunity to rectify their red zone shortcomings. The game is set to kick off on Sunday at 1 p.m., and all eyes will be on whether Grizzard’s call for improvement translates into results on the field.
The Buccaneers are keen to capitalize on this moment, and as Grizzard aptly put it, the key will lie in their ability to execute and adapt under pressure.
