Tampa is averaging 3.2 yards per rush on first down this year compared to 4.8 in 2021, putting them more than a yard and a half further away from picking up a first down every time they run. That’s an astounding 40% decline, which clearly has impacted their offensive performance in a meaningful way.
Think about that. They're running more on first down in the first half of games this year and getting fewer yards per play when they do. So what does that tell you? The first-down runs are not working because opponents know they're coming. Last season, when the Buccaneers were running less, they were gaining more. With their current strategy, they're hurting their running game significantly and putting the quarterback in a far less advantageous second-down situation.
In the first half of games this season, the Buccaneers have gone from averaging 15.4 points in 2021 to 7.4 in 2022.