Outscored 48-16 the last 5+ quarters

[Carl Spackler]

And it's not because they're tired. Well, it shouldn't be. A lot of getting pounded the last five quarters we've played with only one TD to show for it comes down to mistakes at every position and the loss of Bene at CB. Teams have realized our defensive gameplan works only when we have a consistent pass rush. With no pass rush, our defense is the same as it was in 2012. And the result is the same as 2012: slant, slant, chuck and pray for bullshit TD, slant, slant, rinse, lather, repeat.

Equally as perplexing has been the offense's complete failure to do anything since getting up 35-7 on the Giants. Losing Stewart has hurt us and hopefully he'll be back this week. If not, 14-2 going into the playoffs has the look of a one-game stay. He has stabilized the offense and more than his skill level, has enough of the coaches' confidence to actually keep getting carries when he's the only thing working (Sorry, CAP). 

Many will say the team just had a bad game Sunday. But in reality, what we saw Sunday was no different than what we've seen in collapses against GB, IND and NYG. Cam bailed us out (and TD against the Packers) enough to make many of us forget about our weaknesses up front – which have magnified the fact we have one player in our secondary who has any semblance of speed and coverage ability.

So what can we do to fix this, aside from changing our good-luck charms and praying something good happens and the Bucs' receivers and RBs don't shell our asses on Sunday night?

Switch up the defensive front more often. The hallmark of this team last year was its ability to recognize weaknesses and adjust. That's how, if you'll recall, guys like Norman got a chance to show what they could really do.

Go with the hot hand in every case. And remember how to fuging wrap up, and maybe even stop a third down or three. Offense scores points, but defense wins championships.

[ickmule]

3 minutes ago, Carl Spackler said:

And it's not because they're tired. Well, it shouldn't be. A lot of getting pounded the last five quarters we've played with only one TD to show for it comes down to mistakes at every position and the loss of Bene at CB. Teams have realized our defensive gameplan works only when we have a consistent pass rush. With no pass rush, our defense is the same as it was in 2012. And the result is the same as 2012: slant, slant, chuck and pray for bullshit TD, slant, slant, rinse, lather, repeat.

Equally as perplexing has been the offense's complete failure to do anything since getting up 35-7 on the Giants. Losing Stewart has hurt us and hopefully he'll be back this week. If not, 14-2 going into the playoffs has the look of a one-game stay. He has stabilized the offense and more than his skill level, has enough of the coaches' confidence to actually keep getting carries when he's the only thing working (Sorry, CAP). 

Many will say the team just had a bad game Sunday. But in reality, what we saw Sunday was no different than what we've seen in collapses against GB, IND and NYG. Cam bailed us out (and TD against the Packers) enough to make many of us forget about our weaknesses up front – which have magnified the fact we have one player in our secondary who has any semblance of speed and coverage ability.

So what can we do to fix this, aside from changing our good-luck charms and praying something good happens and the Bucs' receivers and RBs don't shell our asses on Sunday night?

Switch up the defensive front more often. The hallmark of this team last year was its ability to recognize weaknesses and adjust. That's how, if you'll recall, guys like Norman got a chance to show what they could really do.

Go with the hot hand in every case. And remember how to fuging wrap up, and maybe even stop a third down or three. Offense scores points, but defense wins championships.

I agree with you 100%. This defense has some serious holes and has most of the year. Without a pass rush we are done. 

[thefuzz]

The only logical thing that I can pull from yesterdays performance from the coaches is:

1: Sean and RR are trying their best to see if they can get CJ into game shape for a playoff run.  They must figure that we are going to need him to play well to have a shot after losing Bene.

2: RR and Mike are trying to get Stew ready for a very heavy workload in the playoffs.

3: This game wasn't as important to them as it was to the fans.

[Ruff]

Jesus, when you think about the situation, it's bad. But when you see the numbers, that's a bucket of cold water to the nuts. 

[beastson]

Switching up our front four is a must, especially at DE. In the NFL you stick with what's working and CJ fuged up what was working. But I suggest rotating our corners as well. I think Boston, McClain and Williams should play more. Peanut and Harper look like turtles out there. Slants and quick passes has been killing us a while. Corners has to get more physical off the LOS. You can't be letting receivers get off freely in the playoffs

[TheRed]

8 minutes ago, thefuzz said:

3: This game wasn't as important to them as it was to the fans.

Well we better damn sure hope this one isn't true. Winning yesterday would have locked up homefield advantage through the playoffs.

If that isn't something important to play for, then it's gonna get ugly.

I don't think such is the case though fortunately.

[KillaCamNewton]

I feel like secondary is the one spot where you HAVE to have speed and Harper and Tillman look like snails out there

[Carl Spackler]

Equally as concerning has been the offense's return to the "Uhh, what the hell are we doing" pre-snap look it had in 2014. The best way to describe it is there's no sense of confidence emanating upon breaking huddle. Look back a few weeks and it was there. 

It's a cyclical thing. The best way to return to that is to have some good momentum, which we've decided is just not something we're very interested in. But to get good momentum, you need to sustain successful drives and take advantage of lapses in coverage. No NFL team, no matter how good, goes an entire game without leaving the deep ball open a couple times. To spend all day trying dink-and-dunk passes was stupid as hell.

[Carl Spackler]

And if we can't generate a better pass rush, we're going 14-2 and losing in the divisional round. That's not pessimism. That's not "Oh look, he's a Chicken Little." That's a fact. 

Would you pick the 2012 Panthers to win a playoff game? Me neither. Well that's our defense unless something changes. And the offense looks just as lost as it did then. 

[cgarsmoker]

I thought Jared Allen would be a 3rd down pass rushing specialist after CJ came back.  I don't understand why Ealy isn't starting.  If Jared Allen is legitimately a better every down player than Ealy, then Ealy must be a colossal failure.  

[Carl Spackler]

2 minutes ago, cgarsmoker said:

I thought Jared Allen would be a 3rd down pass rushing specialist after CJ came back.  I don't understand why Ealy isn't starting.  If Jared Allen is legitimately a better every down player than Ealy, then Ealy must be a colossal failure.  

Ealy doesn't start because he commits too many drive-extending penalties to have gained the coaching staff's trust.

Not saying he wouldn't offset those with, you know, actually playing defense, but it is what it is. 

[thefuzz]

16 minutes ago, TheRed said:

Well we better damn sure hope this one isn't true. Winning yesterday would have locked up homefield advantage through the playoffs.

If that isn't something important to play for, then it's gonna get ugly.

I don't think such is the case though fortunately.

Been said this week before and during the game.  "Stew could go if needed".

Tells me they would rather rest him and get ready for the dance.

Also, like I said last week........Distractions.

They are very real in the NFL.

[cgarsmoker]

8 minutes ago, Carl Spackler said:

Ealy doesn't start because he commits too many drive-extending penalties to have gained the coaching staff's trust.

Not saying he wouldn't offset those with, you know, actually playing defense, but it is what it is. 

I could buy that line of thinking because Kony Ealy does have 7 penalties this season.....However, Mike Remmers has 14 penalties (twice as much as Ealy) this season and he doesn't seem to have lost anyone's trust and he's still starting so either it's not about trust or the same levels of "trust" aren't applied equally among all the players. 

[thefuzz]

15 minutes ago, cgarsmoker said:

I thought Jared Allen would be a 3rd down pass rushing specialist after CJ came back.  I don't understand why Ealy isn't starting.  If Jared Allen is legitimately a better every down player than Ealy, then Ealy must be a colossal failure.  

Just not up to speed on his rush defense yet.  RR and Sean must figure that it's more important to stop the run than pressure the QB....at least right now.