Bucs at Bills: Most Impressive In Week 11

Tucker’s 43-yard touchdown was not all though. He added a 6-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and then added a 28-yard receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter for good measure. His touchdown hat trick meant a big statistical day on the ground, as he finished the game with 19 carries for 106 yards and two rushing touchdowns. It is time to give Tucker the lead back duties until Bucky Irving’s return and don’t look back.

LT Tristan Wirfs

There is a reason Tristan Wirfs is considered one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL. Even though there are moments he looks human on the football field, there are other times where Wirfs is absolutely dominant. Look no further than on Sean Tucker’s touchdown run above, where he pulled to the right sideline and used his elite athleticism and power to be a bulldozer paving the way.

He did that throughout the game, moving the line of scrimmage forward, pushing Tucker and Rachaad White for extra yards. On Tucker’s second touchdown run, he ran in front of him and made his path easy. It is hard to appreciate the work of an offensive lineman when they do not get all the highlights, but he played a consistent part in the offense’s success on Sunday.

NCB Jacob Parrish

Jacob Parrish made one of the biggest plays of the game during the Bills’ first offensive drive. Parrish recorded his first career interception, picking off quarterback Josh Allen after Allen was nearly sacked in the end zone by inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis.

Tampa Bay’s third-round pick has had an impressive rookie year, but getting an interception had eluded him — until now. Allen’s carelessness with the football allowed Parrish to come down with an easy defensive takeaway, giving them momentum early on. Later on in the first quarter, he added a nice tackle for loss on running back James Cook and then made another on wide receiver Khalil Shakir in the third quarter. On the day, Parrish had three tackles, two tackles for loss, a pass defensed, and the interception.

While Parrish has not garnered the kind of headlines other rookies have, he has some of the most well-rounded defensive statistics among first-year players. After Sunday’s performance, his counting totals through 10 games are:

44 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four passes defensed, two sacks, and an interception

What a find by the Bucs’ front office.

S Tykee Smith

Tykee Smith has quickly helped set the tone for the Bucs’ defense. While Smith has largely taken it upon himself to make big plays, he set up his defensive teammates to make their own, like a true facilitator. It was the second-year safety who deflected Josh Allen’s pass on fourth-and-2 for SirVocea Dennis to intercept.

That came after another play earlier in the game where he almost intercepted Allen, breaking up a pass on third-and-4. He has a superb eye for the football, pairing that with an ability to make plays on it.

Special Teamers Josh Hayes and Ryan Miller

After tight end Cade Otton was ruled just short of a first down, the Bucs elected to bring on punter Riley Dixon instead of going for it on fourth-and-inches. While some were understandably frustrated on each account, the saying goes, “Ball don’t lie.” After Dixon’s 49-yard punt, reserve cornerback and core special teamer Josh Hayes sprinted down the field and knocked the ball cleanly from Mecole Hardman’s hands. Hayes’ forced fumble was recovered by Ryan Miller, another core special teamer with plus hands to boot. This impromptu play gave the offense a second chance, and they responded with a touchdown to make it a 26-21 game.

ILB SirVocea Dennis

There have been justifiable criticisms over how SirVocea Dennis has played this season. Dennis has struggled covering running backs in the passing game, but he has come along strong in recent games. His latest showing was most impressive, as he contributed to Jacob Parrish’s first interception with pressure on Josh Allen. Wanting to make a game-changing play himself, it happened when Tykee Smith tipped the ball into the air.

It was Dennis’ for the taking, and he did not miss the chance to record his first career interception. Some argument could be made for just batting the ball down on fourth down, but it also serves as a confidence-boosting play for the young linebacker.

RB Rachaad White

Sean Tucker was the star of the Bucs’ backfield, but Rachaad White was a suitable co-star. White had one of his better showings this year, even if he did not have the hotter hand. Facing a struggling Bills’ run defense, the fourth-year running back was willing to take on contact and keep pushing forward. All told, his 10 carries equated to 51 yards. After regularly churning out first down runs and even laying a stiff arm, this is the kind of White who can also help propel the run game.