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Bucs EDGE Walker Among NFL's Best in Pressure Metrics
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- Bucs EDGE Walker Among NFL's Best in Pressure Metrics
(IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Connect)
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to turn this season around, the offense and defense will both need to be more-consistent.
Head coach Todd Bowles' defensive unit has been strong in run defense, but getting to the quarterback remains a big need as the Bucs enter the middle of their schedule.
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On Sunday, in Tampa's 26-19 overtime loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers , the offense outplayed Aaron Rodgers and company in the first half, but stuttered in the second, scoring just two field goals.
The defense also struggled in the latter half, allowing Rodgers to get his offense clicking and ceasing the early success in the trenches.
One silver lining was the continued growth from rookie EDGE David Walker , who continues to look like Tampa's most-effective pass rusher.
Against the Steelers, Walker had his first multi-sack day (2), while recording a career-high seven tackles.
But, the argument for Walker's current status may go beyond Tampa's locker room, as the former Central Arkansas standout is first in pass-rush win rate (26%) and sack rate (7%), while ranking second in run-stop percentage.
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These numbers are even more impressive when considering Walker is coming off a torn ACL that sidelined him all of last season.
This past Sunday, Walker was terrorizing the Steelers' offensive line, getting off the line of scrimmage quickly and beating his matchup to the outside.
As the Bucs continue to try to find the best rushing combinations to utilize, Walker needs to be on the field as much as possible.
Despite being listed as a backup EDGE on the depth chart, Walker leads the team with four sacks, and continues to stack together strong performances.
Rookie EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. recorded his first NFL sack on Sunday as well, perhaps giving him the confidence boost needed to get back to the production that he was projected to have prior to the season starting.
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Heading into the Bucs' first interdivisional matchup of the season against the Carolina Panthers , getting to starting quarterback Bryce Young has to be an early focus.
Young has been slinging it around the field through the opening weeks, with his 1,549 passing yards ranking seventh in the NFL.
The Panthers have also been one of the NFL's top protection units, as Young has been sacked just 12 times this season.
Walker looks to help the Bucs get back into the NFC South race on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
