Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Is Hurdle To Playoffs More No-Huddle Plays?

It seems like every time the Tampa Bay Buccaneer offense went into a no-huddle mode during their surprising 2010 season, they either won in a comeback or lost while getting close.

Certainly suggesting a no-huddle series for every offensive opportunity during a 60 minute game is folly, but maybe more of what works might generate more points.

The fast-paced play concept is a proven scheme to conserve clock time and keep defenses guessing.  It generally wears on the defense more as they have to react to plays the offense creates. No-huddle also makes substitutions more difficult.     

The most common use of no-huddle is the series before the second-half ends, and the precious minutes before the game is done.        

The Buccaneers certainly have the tapes to evaluate success, but if Josh Freeman and the young offense seem to click better in the faster mode, it might make sense to use it more often.  

As mentioned, a game played without huddles isn’t the answer as it becomes an exhausting choice. 

But would one or two additional no-huddle series attempted, make a difference?   One no-huddle sprint when the offense appears stalled might work.  One other series during the game when the defense is not anticipating the move might work.    

That might make a difference for the Buccaneers who face the rugged Atlanta Falcons this week at Raymond James. The first 2010 game with the Falcons in Atlanta was one of those games where the Bucs got close to pulling off an upset.

A surprise result this week would bode well for the final four games that will surely determine postseason play.  

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Remaining 2010 Schedule

Games: Three home, two away

Atlanta Falcons (9-2) (home)
Washington Redskins (5-6) (away)
Detroit Lions (2-9) (home)
Seattle Seahawks (5-6) (home)
New Orleans Saints (8-3) (away)

As NFL teams go into Week 13, win/loss records above 50 percent have slipped some, but 16 teams still retain that coveted math, and are poised to make playoff runs.

Fortunately for many Buccaneers fans, their home team is still in that successful group.    

(9-2) teams

Atlanta Falcons

New York Jets

New England Patriots 

(8-3) teams

Baltimore Ravens

Pittsburgh Steelers

New Orleans

Chicago Bears

(7-4) teams

Kansas City Chiefs

Philadelphia Eagles

New York Giants

Green Bay Packers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(6-5) teams

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

San Diego Chargers

Miami Dolphins