The Curious Case of Momentum
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a problem. Actually, they Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a few problems. Here's the big one: Slow Starts On Offense.
If you were to go by some 2017 stats such as total yards(ranked 9th overall), passing touchdowns(ranked 10 overall) and even points scored(ranked 18th overall) , the Bucs offense was a top tier, playoff contender. Right? Not so much. The Bucs offense had a terrible time scoring touchdowns and it should be disturbing for a unit so heavily invested in.
MOMENTUM IS REAL IN THE NFL
While getting off to a good start doesn't guarantee a positive outcome, it helps exponentially more than the other way around. Getting off to a good start is the goal for every team. Every season. Every game. That's the objective. This was the struggle last season for the Bucs. It's an issue that's been overlooked by many who prefer to highlight the defensive side of the ball as the biggest concern of the team.
Last season, the Bucs had seven games in which they didn't score a TD until the 2nd half . They lost six of those seven games. Also, there was one game in which they didn't score at all until the 2nd half. Lost that one too. Not good. Not good at all.
vs MN(Loss 17-34)--5 Possessions 1 FG/ 3 Punts/ 1 INT
vs ARI(Loss 33-38)--4 Possessions 3 Punts/ 1 Turnover on Downs
vs BUF(Loss 27-30)--5 Possessions 2 FGs/1 Fumble/1 Punt/ 1 Interception
vs N.O.(Loss 10-20)--5 Possessions 1 Blocked Punt/ 2 Punts/FG/Punt
vs NYJ(WIN 15-10)--6 Possessions 3 Punts/1 INT/Punt/FG
vs ATL(Loss 20-34)--5 Possessions FG/3 Punts/FG
vs CAR(Loss 19-22)--6 Possessions Fumble/FG/Fumble/Punt/FG/FG
* vs CAR(Loss 3-17)--6 Possessions 3 straight Punts/1 Fumble/1 Punt/Clock Run Out
*--Didn't score until 2nd half
For Reference Within The Division(Games In Which Team Didn’t Score In The 1st Half)
ATL(15th Points/8th Yards) - 1 vs NE
CAR( 12th Points/19th Yards) - 1 vs NO
NO( 4th Points/2 Yards) - 2 vs MIN/MIA
"BUT WHAT ABOUT THE DEFENSE?! IF ONLY THEY COULD STOP ANYBODY!!"
In those seven games, there were seven turnovers in the 1st Half. Not putting up TDs for the entire half is bad enough, but giving the opposing team confidence(momentum) by way of turnovers is digging a hole for both the offense AND defense. When taking into account the injuries and lack of depth on the defensive side of the ball last season, those turnovers coupled with the lack of scoring really did hurt in the 2nd half when both physical and mental fatigue can set in.
Here's how the defense fared in the 1st half of those games:
vs MN--6 Possessions TD/Punt/TD/Punt/TD/Clock Run Out
vs ARI--5 Possessions 3 Straight TDs/FG/Clock Run
vs BUF--5 Possessions FG/TD/Missed FG/Punt/Clock Run Out
vs N.O.--5 Possessions FG/Punt/Fumble/TD/ Clock Run Out
vs NYJ--6 Possessions 3 Punts/INT/Punt/FG
vs ATL--5 Possessions FG/Punt/TD/TD/FG
vs CAR--6 Possessions FG/Punt/FG/Punt/TD/Clock Run Out
Despite the criticism found throughout the general fan base and national media, the defense actually did show up in these games even though some were deemed blowouts. Through turnovers and sheer persistence, they even made it possible for comebacks in both the ARI and ATL losses.
Here's the hard truth about blowouts though: They're just not possible if the offense scores in return.
OFFENSIVE JUGGERNAUT?
Could the Bucs be one of the teams like the Patriots, the Packers and last season's Eagles? Teams that could start a game off hot and seemingly never slow down. Every other team in the Bucs' very own division carries that profile on the offensive side of the ball. It's a downright powerful and scary thought that an offense could light up a scoreboard on any given week.
Could the Bucs be one of those scary teams?
Yes. Yes, they can.
Even with the issue of slow starts that plagued them last season. There are just too many weapons for there to be any reason why they can't be. There's just too much offensive potential on the roster to be going without TDs for an entire half. There's just too many opportunities being missed.
Correction: THERE WERE too many opportunities being missed.
They can change that narrative. They can be more efficient. They have to be. But they'll have to do it from the start of every game. The offense has to not be stuck in neutral and proceeding as if they can turn it on at any moment.
They have to get out of their own way. They have to make opposing defenses respect them and their ability to score TDs rather than FGs. The offense is expected to perform like a juggernaut. So, they need to think a Juggernaut.