Buccaneers Lead in the Top 10 Rushing Teams: NFL 2025 Season
After the 2024 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season saw the new running back Bucky Irving take the field by storm, it is to no one’s disbelief that he and quarterback Baker Mayfield are back at it again with a powerful rushing offense. Now ranked 9th overall in the league after two weeks, Irving, Mayfield, and running back Rachaad White have collectively rushed for 259 of 270 total yards, with Irving rushing for 108 yards, Mayfield for 72, and White for 79.
Among these rushers is third-string running back Sean Tucker, who we saw take centerfield during pre-season. Tucker has made one rushing attempt for a total of 2 yards. This came out as a shock to some Bucs fans who followed closely during pre-season. Tucker became a consistent running back of choice for those three weeks and excelled in finding gaps in defensive lines. “Like I keep telling the guys on offense, we’ve got to give him the ball more,” said head coach Todd Bowles at the time. As of late, though, it may be hard to see a place for Sean Tucker among the likes of Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. However, he may be waiting for a late-season focus in case Irving or White gets injured or needs to step away for a couple of games.
Even with a standout rushing offense and incredible game-saving plays by wide receivers Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka, the Buccaneers' receiving ranking is toward the bottom of the NFL list, only placing above four teams: the Minnesota Vikings, the New York Jets, the Tennessee Titans, and last year's Super Bowl Champion, the Philadelphia Eagles. However, when it comes down to the clutch plays, when the team is backed up against the wall, that’s where they can thrive.
Ranking among the top ten again for most first downs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have tied for sixth place with 41 first downs after only two games. 14 of which came from rushing plays and 22 from passes. The remaining five come from penalties.
Looking ahead, the Buccaneers' ground game will be crucial to continue if they want to see success as the season goes on. With Irving establishing himself as a stable and dynamic playmaker once again and White providing a reliable complementary addition, Tampa Bay has found an effective one-two punch.