Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy Saves the Day with Early Sack

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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An interception turned the score around, but a Charles McCoy sack saved the day for the Buccaneers.

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As the Buccaneers turn their season around, a lot of attention goes to the offense. Jameis Winston has curbed the turnovers, and Mike Evans is on his way to his best year so far. The offense often gets the headlines.

But, we can not forget about the Tampa defense, as they have been stellar during the winning streak. Last Sunday against the Chargers, the offense started slowly, but the defense kept the Bucs in the game. Many credit the Lavonte David interception as the turning point, and it was on the scoreboard.

But, the “Eye in the Sky” feels differently. He feels that a huge play by Gerald McCoy, way back in the first quarter, set the game on the right track for the Bucs.

Let’s see what he means.

Screen shots courtesy of NFL Game Pass (subscription required).

Let’s look at the play. It’s the middle of the first quarter and the Bucs are down 7-0. It’s third down from the Bucs 30. The Bucs line up with four down linemen. Gerald McCoy and Robert Ayers are in the circles. At the snap, McCoy is going to run a stunt, crossing the face of two linemen before takin on the right guard. Meanwhile, Ayers goes head-on with the right tackle.

We roll ahead a few seconds and McCoy is engaged with the lineman, as is Ayers. For the moment, Philip Rivers‘ protection is holding up. Here is where the sheer skill of McCoy takes over.

Look in the circle. Can you see how McCoy’s left hand has come up? He is prepping to give a little jab into the chest of his opponent. McCoy’s sheer strength takes his man down and renders Rivers a sitting duck.

McCoy has made his move and is on Rivers. Ayers is shaking loose from his man and getting ready to join in.

Ayers helps finish the job, and it’s a huge sack for the Bucs.

Why was this such a huge play? Well, this was the drive immediately following the Winston interception. Had the Chargers gained positive yards on the play, the likelihood would have increased of the Bucs going down by two scores.

If the Bucs go down two scores, they may not ever recover from there. But instead it’s a missed field goal, the Bucs tie the game, and off we go.

The offense may garner headlines, but don’t forget about that defense either.

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