Bucs Game Changer: Week 2

The Bucs lastly broke their seven-game common season dropping streak in opposition to the Saints with a 20-10 victory on Sunday. The protection held New Orleans to simply 10 factors, whereas forcing 5 turnovers. There was additionally a struggle that broke out at one level as Bucs vast receiver Mike Evans and Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore tussled as soon as once more. The skirmish between the 2 groups early within the fourth quarter appeared to pump a surge of power into the Bucs.

However it was the late-game play of Tampa Bay cornerback Jamel Dean that actually modified the sport. Early within the fourth quarter in a recreation tied at 3-3, Dean got here up with a momentum-shifting play when he made a spectacular backwards diving interception ultimately zone. Dean made the contested catch of Jameis Winston’s deep ball, wrestling Saints rookie receiver Chris Olave for the pigskin.

The turnover lit a spark and led to the Bucs placing their first landing on the board on the following drive. Dean talked about what he noticed on the play on Pewter Report’s Touchback Tuesdays episode on the PewterReportTV YouTube channel.

“I noticed that they had been in a max safety set, ” Dean defined. “At that time I simply bought to my landmark and simply began studying Jameis. As soon as he appeared and mainly made his resolution and the place he was going I simply broke to the ball.”

Dean Will get Two Of Bucs’ Three INTs vs. Saints

Dean wasn’t achieved with simply that choose although, as he intercepted Winston a second time on the very subsequent drive. The fourth-year nook made a break on the ball, diving to safe the turnover earlier than choosing it up and returning it 24 yards down the sphere to present the Bucs glorious subject place. Tampa Bay must accept a subject objective on that drive, however took a 13-3 lead on the flip of occasions.

On his second choose, Dean mentioned he wasn’t going to let that one get away from him after lacking a diving alternative within the Cowboys recreation.

Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

“With that one there, I used to be simply taking part in protection and the best way the ball got here off his hand it appeared prefer it was an overthrown ball,” Dean mentioned. “So, I used to be like I’ve bought an awesome alternative on this one because it’s coming in my space. I noticed the ball getting low and going quick, so I used to be like, ‘Oh I’ve bought to dive for it.’”

The 2-interception recreation was a primary for Dean, who’s in a contract yr. Dean had two interceptions final yr and has already matched that whole with 15 video games left within the season.

Named the starter out of camp, Dean has been stellar by way of his first two video games of the season. He’s registered a 13.5 passer score in opposition to him, per Pro Football Focus. That locations him throughout the Prime 5 of all NFL defensive backs.

Dean has been disruptive within the passing recreation with cross deflections and turnovers and has additionally been sturdy within the run recreation. Whereas Evans could have given the Bucs some wanted juice after his ejection, it was Dean who modified the sport for the Bucs of their second straight win of the season. Not simply as soon as, however twice in a pivotal fourth quarter in opposition to the Saints.