5 Things We Learned From Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 1 Loss

Buccaneers Week 1 Loss: 5 Things We Learned

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost a tightly contested game 18-17 to the New York Jets on Sunday. The Bucs appeared to be nearing a victory late in the fourth quarter, but a foolish penalty by linebacker Lavonte David led to a go-ahead field goal.

Some of the Bucs had outstanding games, like wide receiver Vincent Jackson and linebacker Mason Foster, and did not deserve to lose. Jackson had seven catches for 154 yards, and Foster had eight tackles, two sacks and a quarterback hit to put the Bucs in a position to win the game.

The storyline heading into the game for the Bucs was cornerback Darrelle Revis playing in Metlife Stadium for the first time as an opposing player. The Bucs cannot be happy with themselves because they should have won that game.

They made the Jets’ running backs look like amateurs, 22 rushes for 44 yards, with ease. The Bucs defense also did a good job of pressuring rookie quarterback Geno Smith in his first start: sacking him five times, forcing an interception and recovering a fumble by Smith.

Luckily, for the Bucs it was only week one. Head coach Greg Schiano can help the players learn from their mistakes, so they will play better against the New Orleans Saints.

Schiano and his coaching staff can take away many positive and negative things from the first game. The media and fans learned five things from the Bucs week one loss, though, and here they are.

No. 5: Penalties Can Determine A Game’s Outcome

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a league-leading 13 penalties during their week one game against the New York Jets. When a team commits that many penalties in a game, they typically lose it.

Linebacker Lavonte David received a 15-yard personal foul penalty when he hit Jets quarterback Geno Smith after he had reached the sidelines. This penalty allowed the Jets to continue their late-game drive and kick the go-ahead field goal.

The slightest advantage, such as penalty yards, a team receives in a game can be enough to beat any team in any given week.

No. 4: Darrelle Revis Is Almost 100 Percent

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ cornerback Darrelle Revis was on the field for the majority of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets in his first game since he tore his ACL.

Revis tore his ACL in week three of last season, which forced him to miss the rest of the year.

He looked really good in his first game back, allowing only one out of four passes in his vicinity to be completed. Revis looked like he is close to being 100 percent. When he is back to being 100 percent, quarterbacks will think twice before throwing in his direction.

No. 3: Josh Freeman Is Not A Good Quarterback

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' quarterback Josh Freeman did not play well during Sunday’s 18-17 loss to the New York Jets.

He completed only 48 percent of his passes, which is terrible for a veteran quarterback. He also threw for only 210 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

Freeman did a great job of completing sharp passes near rookie cornerback Dee Milliner. However, Freeman looked like a bad quarterback when he tried throwing the football near any other players in the secondary. If Freeman continues to put on performances like that, then he could lose his starting job to rookie Mike Glennon.

No. 2: Defenses Are Game Planning To Stop Doug Martin

Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ running back, struggled to find any holes in the New York Jets’ defense on Sunday. He had an amazing rookie season rushing for 1,519 yards and scoring 12 rushing touchdowns.

Jets’ head coach Rex Ryan was brilliant by game planning to stop Martin. This made the Bucs have to depend heavily on quarterback Josh Freeman to beat the Jets through the air.

Ryan’s plan worked to perfection as Martin gained only 65 yards on 24 carries. Martin should expect more teams to adopt this gameplan after his performance last season.

No. 1: The Offensive Line Needs Carl Nicks

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers really missed former All-Pro left guard Carl Nicks in their loss on Sunday to the New York Jets.

Nicks is a very good offensive lineman and he can help protect quarterback Josh Freeman and open up running lanes for running back Doug Martin.

Nicks played in only six games last season, his first on the Bucs. The shocking thing is that Martin was still able to rush for 1,454 yards and score 12 touchdowns.

If the Bucs want to contend for a playoff spot this season, though, then they need Nicks to be healthy.

Noah Weintraub is a Contributing Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @NoahWeintraub, join his Facebook group, or add him to your network on Google.

Related:

Lavonte David Not the Scapegoat for Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lavonte David’s Bad Penalty Unfortunate Way to Begin Season