Week 12 BUCS VS BrownS Defensive Preview

The Buccaneers kick off the 2nd half of the season looking to continue a 2-game winning streak. The first stop after the bye is a visit to Cleveland where the 3-7 Browns are on a 2-game skid.

This could be a chance for the BUCS to to put on a showcase of some hopefully improved areas after taking a break. BUCS fans should know better than to overlook a team due to its record though. The losses to the Steelers and Panthers taught that lesson in back-to-back weeks.

While the collective hope of the BUCS fans is that the offense finds and keeps its groove, the defense has been its strength.Here are some key stats and tendencies of the Browns’ offense that you should pay attention to while the BUCS are on defense.

4th Down	9	10	1
3rd Down	86	29	3
2nd Down	113	74	6
1st Down	99	158	10
	PASS	RUSH	SCRAMBLE

The Browns offense is predicated on getting the run game started first and foremost. That’s how they like to set the tone. But since teams are on high alert looking for it, that tendency could be used as a trap. Beware of playaction.

Versus The Passing game

Cleveland has several players capable of making big plays downfield in the passing game. But Amari Cooper is the clear first choice. He leads the team with 81 targets. 20 more than the second option in Donovan Peoples-Jones.

Cooper isn’t a burner by any means. However, route-running skills make him a threat all over the field, including deep balls. You’ll Brissett look to get the ball to Cooper on quick outs regularly throughout the game, far more than targeting him down the field.

In the middle of the field, the BUCS defense will be on the lookout for David Njoukou. He can go quiet for long stretches. But he’s also pretty potent for the offense as their 3rd leading receiver. This means Lavonte David and/or Devin White will have to themselves and the safeties in order and keep communication tight to keep him quiet on the day.

The Browns do spread the ball out plenty. Having Nick and/or Hunt leak out to the left of the offensive line on screen plays is a constant. Again, the BUCS linebackers are gonna have to be sound in discipline and technique to make sure Cleveland’s passing game becomes an effective extension of its already potent running game.

Browns Pass Breakdown

TYPE	COMPLETIONS	ATTEMPTS	COMP %	YARDS	AVERAGE	% OF PLAYS
SHORT RIGHT	67	103	65.05 %	548	5.32	33.55 %
SHORT LEFT	57	85	67.06 %	462	5.44	27.69 %
SHORT MIDDLE	41	56	73.21 %	399	7.13	18.24 %
DEEP RIGHT	15	32	46.88 %	432	13.5	10.42 %
DEEP LEFT	10	26	38.46 %	378	14.54	8.47 %
DEEP MIDDLE	3	5	60 %	57	11.4	1.63 %

versus the run

Nick Chubb has been giving opposing defenses fits throughout the season. He’s a potent back with above-average vision and the power to gain tough yardage. He currently ranks #3 in yards after contact(463).

The Browns running game does have a tendency to lean towards going to the outside the tackles. When their successful, it has been with the heavy utilization of the guards pulling to get the defensive line off-balanced. Look at #75 Bitonio to get out in front of Chubb or Hunt and make some room.

The defense also has to keep Jacoby Brissett in the pocket. He’s not shy about taking off with the ball. He does to be patient before taking off. But if the BUCS get to him early, he’ll start to bail quickly.

With the possibility of Vita Vea being limited due to a foot injury, the defensive line will need to step up big time. Nunez-Roches is usually the default backup. He’ll need a big game if called upon. Rookie Logan Hall could also get the call as can have a similar impact as Nunez-Roches in the run game but even more effective as a pass rusher.

TYPE	ATTEMPTS	YARDS	AVERAGE	% OF PLAYS
LEFT TACKLE	64	338	5.28	23.62 %
RIGHT TACKLE	57	342	6.0	21.03 %
RIGHT GUARD	52	205	3.94	19.19 %
LEFT GUARD	38	122	3.21	14.02 %
RIGHT END	24	163	6.79	8.86 %
LEFT END	18	134	7.44	6.64 %
CENTER	18	48	2.67	6.64 %