The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have plenty to clean up following a 0-2 start, but one issue in the passing game has become particularly frustrating: the Bucs simply have to do a better job catching the football. Pro Football Reference has credited the Buccaneers with three drops in the first two games, giving the team a 5% drop rate.
Three drops might not sound like a major problem at first, especially with several teams across the league recording more. The issue for Tampa Bay has been when some of those missed opportunities have happened, as it was on display in the Bucs’ 23 to 19 loss against the Cleveland Browns. Tampa Bay had an opportunity to win the game late after returning from a lengthy weather delay. On second down near the goal line, Mayfield gave rookie Ted Hurst III an opportunity in the corner of the end zone, but Hurst could not come down with the football while working through tight coverage and heavy rain. A holding penalty followed, and Tampa Bay eventually turned the ball over on downs, falling to 0-2.
It was not an easy catch, but it was another example of just how small the margin for error has become for this offense. Hurst has been credited with one drop through two games, while Cade Otton and Kenneth Gainwell have also been charged with one apiece. Meanwhile, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka and Bucky Irving have yet to record a drop. Irving has caught all 11 of his targets, while Godwin has caught all seven of his. Mayfield has completed 44 of his 62 attempts through two games, with Pro Football Reference charting 49 of those throws as on target. The Bucs have also generated 251 yards after the catch, so there have been signs that the passing game can be productive when everything connects.
The offense is already dealing with protection issues and inconsistency as it tries to find its identity under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Every catchable pass becomes more important when the offense is struggling to sustain drives and finish possessions. That becomes even more important against Minnesota in Week 3. The Vikings enter the matchup with an aggressive defense that has helped Minnesota start 2- 0, while Tampa Bay is trying to avoid falling into a 0-and-3 hole. Minnesota’s pressure packages could force Mayfield to get rid of the ball quickly, meaning the Bucs may not get many clean opportunities in the passing game. Through two games, they have not been good enough and must correct the issues quickly.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs ranked 24th in dropped passes
About the Author
