Bowles says the resilient Buccaneers still trying to establish an identity

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 4-2 and tied for first place in the NFC South.

Six weeks into the season, they're also still establishing an identity.

“Right now, it's just resiliency,” coach Todd Bowles said Monday, reflecting on a week in which the Bucs evacuated from Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton, spent five days in New Orleans preparing to play the Saints and then rebounded from a poor second quarter to rout their division rivals 51-27.

“Us coming back and forming toughness in the second half and learning off our mistakes,” Bowles continued. “If we can eliminate the penalties and eliminate shooting ourselves in the foot — which we are cutting down more and more — I think we have a chance to be a very good team.”

The offense has put up 30 or more points four times this season after having difficulty getting into the end zone much of the past two years.

The defense has been one of the NFL's stingiest since Bowles joined the Bucs as defensive coordinator in 2019. However, it hasn't been nearly as reliable through six games this year.

Part of that can be attributed to injuries. And if Sunday's lopsided win over New Orleans is any indication, that trend figures to turn for the better with All-Pro safety Antonie Winfield Jr. (foot) and second-year defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (calf) back in the lineup.

Winfield, sidelined four games after being injured in the closing minutes of the season opener, picked up a fumble and returned it 58 yards on the Saints' first possession. Kancey started Sunday after being inactive the first five games and finished with two tackles — both for losses — as well as a sack and a quarterback hit.

“With Win and Kancey back, the defense definitely felt it. You felt Kancey up front. You felt Winfield in the back end,” Bowles said. “You felt the confidence that they rose to a different level, especially in the second half.”

A 17-0 lead dissolved into a 27-24 halftime deficit, with the Saints returning a punt for a touchdown and Baker Mayfield throwing three interceptions in the second quarter.

Mayfield wound up 24 of 36 passing for 325 yards and four touchdowns. But the Bucs only threw the ball six times in the second half while rushing for all but 57 of their season-high 277 yards on the ground.

Tampa Bay outscored New Orleans 27-0 after halftime, finishing with a franchise single-game record with 594 yards of offense.

Bowles said the team is benefiting from learning it's capable of winning in a variety of ways.

“It helps us mature faster,” the coach said.

“Last year, it took us a couple of losses in a row before we could bounce back off of these things. This year, we’re learning from our mistakes that week and we correct our mistakes, and they go out the next week and they execute it,” Bowles added. “From a maturity standpoint, it says that we’re growing faster.”

What's working

The offense is averaging 29.6 points per game, up from 20.4 last season. The rushing attack is improving after finishing last in the NFL each of the past two seasons. With second-year pro Sean Tucker and rookie Bucky Irving leading the way, Tampa Bay averaged 7.9 yards per per carry on 35 attempts against the Saints.

What needs help

The Bucs have yielded 27 or more points three times — twice against rookie quarterbacks — after having a top-10 scoring defense a year ago.

Stock up

Tucker had just 17 career carries for 30 yards before joining Irving in filling in for the injured Rachaad White against the Saints. In addition to rushing for 136 yards and a TD on 14 attempts, he also scored on a 36-yard reception. Irving, who's second on the depth chart, had a 31-yard TD run and finished with 81 yards rushing on 14 attempts.

“For guys to be able to step in and play like that? That's more than just the next man up mentality,” Mayfield said.

Stock down

While there's no indication White (foot) has lost his starting job, Bowles acknowledged Tucker has earned an opportunity to try help White and Irving create a “three-headed monster” at running back.

Injuries

A third starter, RT Luke Goedeke (concussion), joined Winfield and Kancey in returning to the lineup at New Orleans. CB Jamel Dean (hamstring) was injured against the Saints. Bowles did not provide a detailed injury update on Monday, noting: “There are still some guys nicked up. Everybody hasn’t come in yet, so we don’t have a final report.”

Key number

15 — Mayfield leads the NFL with 15 touchdown passes through six games. That's the second-most by a Tampa Bay quarterback through the first six games of a season. Tom Brady had 17 at that point in 2021.

Next up

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens visit Raymond James Stadium next Monday night.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Fred Goodall, The Associated Press