Buccaneers Offensive Line Faces Different Challenge vs Cleveland

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed encouraging signs in Zac Robinson’s offense during their Week One loss.

Unfortunately, the offensive line kept the offense from reaching its full potential. Four lost fumbles helped derail Tampa Bay’s production, including two fumbles on sacks of Baker Mayfield.

Both sacks came on plays that took too long to develop. Mayfield has since admitted he should have taken available checkdown options sooner.

Still, the offensive line must be better in Week Two. Tampa Bay cannot afford another game where Mayfield faces unnecessary pressure while trying to get the offense moving.

Mayfield Was Efficient When Protected

When Mayfield had time to throw against Cincinnati, he looked comfortable and efficient. He completed 23 of 28 passes for 216 yards without throwing an interception.

That performance provides plenty of encouragement for Tampa Bay’s offense. The Buccaneers have reason to believe Robinson’s system can produce more with better protection.

That makes the offensive line’s performance against Cleveland particularly important. Mayfield needs enough time to distribute the football and keep Tampa Bay’s offense on schedule.

Cleveland Brings A Different Defensive Front

The Browns will present a different challenge than the Bengals did. Tristan Wirfs explained that Cleveland’s four-man defensive line attacks offenses differently.

“I think against these guys, I mean, D-line-wise, I say it every week, there [are] no bad D-lines [in the NFL],” said Wirfs. “Giving Baker time to dice these guys up is going to be huge. They’re a big penetrating front, so a little bit different than Cincinnati, Cincinnati [are] more readers, but kind of from the Niners family. They’re big penetrators, so if we can gash them, it’s going to be great. It’s just going to open things up for us.”

That difference could work in Tampa Bay’s favor if the offensive line handles it properly. Wirfs believes consistently moving Cleveland’s defensive linemen can create opportunities for the entire offense.

Tampa Bay Can Attack Cleveland

Cleveland recorded just one sack on 24 Trevor Lawrence dropbacks during Week One. Second-year defensive tackle Mason Graham produced that sack, dropping Lawrence for an 11-yard loss.

Lawrence still completed 18 of 23 passes for 245 yards and four touchdowns. Most of that production came before halftime, with Jacksonville attempting only five passes afterward.

The Buccaneers should have opportunities to attack if their offensive line performs better than it did against Cincinnati. Mayfield has already shown what he can do when given enough time to throw.

Tampa Bay wants another fast offensive start in Week Two. The offensive line will have a major say in whether the Buccaneers can make that happen.

Cincinnati exposed areas that need to improve. Cleveland provides Tampa Bay’s offensive line with another chance to prove those problems were not going to become a weekly issue.