The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were looking to stay ahead of the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South crown and needed a win in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium, and that’s exactly what they got obtained by coming away with a thunderous 40-17 victory. .
The Bucs defense has been this team’s weak spot for much of the 2024 season, but against the Chargers they showed up, limiting the Chargers’ efficient offense to just 17 points and just 200 total yards this season. that day.
The Buccaneers’ linebackers and backup safeties played admirably in the absence of their teammates, while the defense as a whole held the Chargers to 0/6 on third down and 0/2 on fourth down. The Bucs also came away with three sacks on injured Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and got back in the turnover column as Jamel Dean came away with an interception and Vi Jones forced a fumble that was recovered by Kaevon Merriweather.
Here’s how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive players ranked in their huge 40-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, according to PFF.
READ MORE: Antonio Brown Reacts to Mike Evans Surpassing Him in All-Time Receiving Yards
1. LB Vi Jones
August 23, 2024; Tampa, Florida, United States; Miami Dolphins running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (16) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Vi Jones (53) defends during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
PFF category: 92.1
2. LB JJ Russell
September 15, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, United States; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker JJ Russell (51) looks on before their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory credit: Eamon Horwedel-Imagn Images / Eamon Horwedel-Imagn Images
PFF category: 80.4
3. CB Jamel Doyen
December 15, 2024; Inglewood, California, United States; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean (35) celebrates after a fumble recovery in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SOFI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Images by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn / Images by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn
PFF category: 78.9
READ MORE: Buccaneers take top spot in key NFL stats after Week 15 win
4. SS Ryan Neal
November 12, 2023; Tampa, Florida, United States; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) celebrates with defensive back Ryan Neal (23) after an interception in the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images / Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
PFF category: 78.1
5. OLB Chris Braswell
August 10, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, United States; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Chris Braswell (43) catches a pass during warmups before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
PFF category: 72.8
1. CB Tykee Smith
October 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, United States; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) celebrates an interception of a ball intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) with cornerback Tyrek Funderburk (24) and linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (9 ) during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images / Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
December 15, 2024; Inglewood, California, United States; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) runs the ball against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) during the first half at SOFI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
PFF category: 36.8
3. DE Anthony Nelson
December 15, 2024; Inglewood, California, United States; Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards (4) runs the ball against Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Anthony Nelson (98) during the first half at SOFI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Images by Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn / Images by Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn
PFF category: 47.6
4. SS Christian Izien
November 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, United States; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Christian Izien (29) takes the field against the Kansas City Chiefs before a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images
PFF category: 52.9
5. DT Greg Gaines
November 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, United States; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Greg Gaines (96) and defensive end William Gholston (92) celebrate after a sack against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory credit: Images by Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn / Images by Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn
PFF category: 54.2
Stay with BucsGameday for more coverage on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 season.
