Will Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers be able to turn things around in week 4?

While it hasn’t been the prettiest start to the season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there are somethings that they can hang their hat on. They are 2-1 after three weeks, and their defense looks like one of the top units in the league.

When will Brady get offense on track?

That being said, there are some concerns that have been raised over the first games of the new campaign. Bruce Arians stepped down from his head coaching duties last year, and promoted Todd Bowles to take the reigns at Raymond James Stadium.

Arians was an offensive minded coach who had the Bucs moving the ball like a well oiled machine. While the offensive coordinator remains the same as last year, Byron Leftwich has not figured out a way to get his squad back to the same level as the last couple years.

Through the opening three games of the campaign the Bucs are averaging just 17 points per contest, and the offense has only scored three touchdowns all season. Tom Brady has thrown all three of those touchdowns, but he was one of the preseason favorites to win MVP and is well off that pace after Tampa’s sluggish start on the offensive end.

Bucs D holding steady

Luckily, the Bucs defense has been making amends for the deficiencies on the other side of the ball. Tampa Bay has allowed a league low 25 points through three games, and have even been pitching in with defensive touchdowns to assist the struggling offense. Mike Edwards had a 68 yard pick six to sentence the New Orleans Saints in Week 2.

One of the biggest problems for the Bucs offense is their offensive line. They have been dealing with offseason departures and early season injuries to Tom Brady’s protectors. Despite constant pressure, the 45 year old has only been sacked six times this season. That’s because he’s smart enough to get rid of the ball with out taking too much punishment, but he is not getting enough time allow his receivers to complete their routes down field. Brady is averaging just 224 yards and a touchdown per game.

While the offense has unexpectedly been the liability to open the season, the Buccaneers will have overcome another unexpected challenge this week. Hurricane Ian is quickly surging towards Tampa, so the team has moved their football operations to Miami.

Hurricane Ian could move Chiefs game this weekend

It’s the last thing Brady and the struggling Bucs offense need before a big game with Kansas City on Sunday night, but the seven time Super Bowl Champion said that the Hurricane should not be an excuse, and Tampa Bay has to come out ready for the Chiefs.

“I think when you are dealing with some of the things that we’re gonna have to deal with this week, there’s built-in excuses that should never be excuses for anything”, he explained. “We gotta approach the week with the championship attitude that no matter what we face and no matter who plays, we’re gonna have to go out there and find a way to win the game. So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s a huge test”.

Last year the Chiefs defense was their Achilles heel. Scoring on the KC defense was no big challenge last year, but this year the defense looks much stronger, and has even made the difference in games. Jaylen Watson took a pick six 99 yards against the Chargers to turn the game on it’s side and lead KC to the Week 2 win.

Brady’s time to shine?

While the defense is much improved, they have forced just four turnovers all season, and are giving up more than 22 points a game. The Bucs have yet to score more than 20 points in a game this year, but you just get the feeling that the offense is on the verge of erupting.

Although he didn’t put up the numbers we are used to last week against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, Brady was born for big games. The primetime Sunday Night game against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs is one of the biggest games of the regular season.

With their city getting pounded by Hurricane Ian, watch out for the Bucs to have a bounce back game after their first loss of the season.