Week 14 Snap Count Analysis: Bucs vs. Saints

The rainy weather certainly played a factor in how certain players were utilized, especially in the running game. The Bucs played a ton of Pony package, which was a welcomed sight as many have been clamoring for it. The idea was right, but the execution of it wasn’t as stellar. But since Bucky Irving and Rachaad White were each in on the field at the same time in the Pony package, they each played 49% of the snaps.

That was a 3% drop off from Irving in his return last week, though he did hurt his ankle when getting tackled on a play in the first half, which could have factored into less time. White’s numbers jumped up 11% and he was also the main third-down back as per usual. Sean Tucker played 16% and it was he and White that were more impactful running the ball. Tampa Bay’s most successful drive – aside the first drive of the game – came on a drive where the team constantly ran it with White and Tucker, culminating with a Tucker touchdown run. They never went back to that approach afterwards.

Shuffling continued on the offensive line before and during the game. With left tackle Tristan Wirfs out, Tampa Bay elected to start rookie undrafted free agent Ben Chukwuma at the position and he played the whole day. Then left guard Ben Bredeson injured his knee in the first half, so Michael Jordan came in for him. Bredeson played 43% of the snaps and Jordan played 57%.

While the snap percentages were similar for Emeka Egbuka at 88% of the snaps and Chris Godwin Jr. at 69%, the receiver that had the biggest increase in playing time was veteran Sterling Shepard. He went all the way up from 26% last game to 57% on Sunday where he had just a five-yard catch against the Saints on Sunday.

Tez Johnson saw a decline in his snaps, going down to 46%, but the main player that suffered the most in terms of last snaps was actually tight end Cade Otton at 81%. Otton typically plays almost every snap, averaging 97%. The 81% was the lowest he had all season as Tampa Bay decided to make running backs Irving and White more as receivers along with the Pony package and relying on Shepard and other receivers in the passing game. That wasn’t successful, but Otton hasn’t had an impact in the passing game either.

Bucs Defense

Tampa Bay had some injuries to deal with on the defensive side of the ball. Strong safety Tykee Smith had a stinger and outside linebacker Haason Reddick suffered an ankle injury. Each player missed snaps during the game before returning, with Smith playing 53% of the snaps and Reddick in for 36%.

Christian Izien came in for Smith and by far played his most snaps of his season and was okay playing 47%. Yaya Diaby led all outside linebackers at 83% followed by Anthony Nelson with 50% and Chris Braswell at 31%. Even though Braswell didn’t get many more snaps with Reddick out, Braswell recorded his first sack of the season.

The snaps used to be split evenly between defensive tackles Logan Hall and Elijah Roberts, but that wasn’t the case this Sunday. Hall had the most snaps of the defensive tackles, significantly out snapping Roberts 78% to 55%. Second was Vita Vea at 71% and Greg Gaines at 29% chipped in with a sack.

We’ll see what the case is for inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis as he injured his leg in a non-contact situation with the field on Raymon James Stadium in rough shape. Dennis played 71% of the snaps, well lower than he usual average. Coming in for him was Deion Jones who played 29% of the snaps, and he had a chance for a huge impact late in the game, but didn’t come through.

The Bucs had to get a third down stop to give the ball back to the offense with under two minutes to go. New Orleans decided to throw the ball and go for the win, the ball eventually got bobbled into the air and Jones got his hands on it, but couldn’t make a catch that he absolutely should’ve had. The Bucs would’ve had the ball at midfield versus all the way back at their 20 to attempt to get a go ahead touchdown. They ran four plays and got stopped. Just another example of poor execution by their players.