Buccaneers defense shined in preseason opener against Cam Ward, Titans

Yahoo

2 days ago

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicked off their 2025 preseason with a convincing 29–7 victory over the Tennessee Titans on August 9th, showcasing a defense that was stout and a group of young players who flashed potential throughout the game.
From the start, Tampa Bay's defense set the tone. The unit was disciplined, physical, and aggressive, effectively shutting down Tennessee's offense and limiting them to just one touchdown.
Rookie defensive backs Shilo Sanders and J.J. Roberts stood out with confident coverage and timely plays, proving that the Bucs' future in the secondary looks bright. The defensive line controlled the trenches, disrupting runs and collapsing the pocket consistently.
On offense, Kyle Trask managed the game well, demonstrating improved poise and accuracy as he led multiple scoring drives. Running back Sean Tucker stepped up in the absence of injured lead back Rachaad White, running with power and determination and adding a touchdown to his night.
Despite the positives, the game wasn't without its blemishes. The loss of White to injury early in the game raises questions about the backfield depth, and rookie edge rusher Chris Braswell struggled to make an impact in his debut. None of the young receivers outside of preseason wonder, Ryan Miller separated themselves from the pack. The offense also stalled at times in the red zone, settling for field goals on opportunities that could have resulted in touchdowns.
Overall, the Buccaneers left the field with a strong foundation to build on. The defense's solid play and the emergence of young contributors provide reason for optimism as Tampa Bay moves deeper into preseason and closer to the regular season.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs defense shined in preseason opener against Cam Ward, Titans