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Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians took a “no risk it, no biscuit” approach to his postgame comments following a 26-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
“We were asked earlier in the week what our (offensive) identity is,” Arians said in the postgame press conference, via ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “I think we just showed our identity. We can do any damn thing we want.”
The Bucs (8-5) moved the ball and scored in a variety of ways in Week 14, starting when quarterback Tom Brady found some deep-ball mojo with a 48-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Scotty Miller to jolt the offense. Arians downplayed going to Miller though, according to WTSP’s Grace Remington.
Running back Ronald Jones III churned up 80 yards on 18 carries and punched in a touchdown set up by another Brady deep ball to wideout Mike Evans which drew a flag on Vikings rookie defensive back Jeff Gladney. Brady also set up a field goal when he took a deep shot to tight end Rob Gronkowski late in the first half, incurring another flag on the Vikings again. The longtime quarterback-tight end duo later connected for a short touchdown pass in the second half.
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Beware of ‘Bulletin Board Material’
Some pundits, such as NESN’s Adam London, don’t believe the Bucs have yet proved their coach’s statement. The Boston-based reporter added that Arians’ comment will likely become “bulletin-board material” come playoff time.
Offensive improvements didn’t show sufficiently enough on Sunday to back Arians’ comments either, Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud wrote. Stroud noted that struggles to get first downs and Brady misfiring on passes persisted despite the 26-point showing.
Sunday’s effort resulted in the Bucs, who entered the weekend fifth in the NFL in average points per game (28.5 PPG), falling one spot behind the Indianapolis Colts (28.6 PPG), who dropped 44 points on the Las Vegas Raiders this week.
With three games remaining in the regular season, Tampa Bay currently holds the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff picture, one game behind the Seattle Seahawks (9-4) and one ahead of the Arizona Cardinals (7-6). If the postseason started today, Arians’ club would be scheduled for a road tilt with the No. 3 seed Los Angeles Rams (9-4).
Bucs Backfield Controversy?
Arians sat fourth-year running back Leonard Fournette Sunday and got counterpart LeSean McCoy involved instead. The two-time All-Pro responded with 32 yards on four carries, bringing his season total into the green after posting negative one yard on six carries in his first seven appearances with the Bucs.
After the win, the veteran head coach addressed the surprising backfield decision.
Arians elaborated that sitting Fournette didn’t mean anything negative for the former LSU star, according to Buccaneers.com’s Scott Smith.
After being cut from the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 31, the former first-round pick has been moderately productive in 10 games since joining the Bucs, averaging only 3.9 yards per carry this season. Forunette has contributed 271 yards and three scores on the ground to date, while also aiding Brady in the passing game with another 171 receiving yards on 28 catches.
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