Lions Week 7 preview: Breaking down Buccaneers’ offensive, defensive schemes

The Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will square off in a Week 7 NFC battle on “Monday Night Football.” Lions coach Dan Campbell and Bucs coach Todd Bowles have a long history together, dating back to when Campbell was a player in Dallas.

“We’ve got a real good opponent coming in Monday night,” Campbell said on Thursday. “Todd Bowles, got a lot of respect for him. As you guys know, we were together in Dallas. I’ve known him for a long time, coached together in Miami. And just what he’s done throughout the years, he’s an outstanding coach. (His) teams are tough, physical, aggressive, disciplined. So, we’ve got our hands full.”

Let’s take a closer look at the Bucs’ coaching staff, the scheme that they run, and some scouting notes from previously viewed games.

Bucs head coach: Todd Bowles

NFL coaching seasons: 26 seasons
Head coaching seasons: 9 seasons, Dolphins 2011 (interim), Jets 2015-18, Bucs 2022-present
Influences: Bill Parcells, Mike Zimmer, Mike Nolan, Chuck Pagano, Paul Pasqualoni, Juan Castillo
Playcaller: Yes (Defense)

Offensive coordinator: Josh Grizzard

NFL coaching seasons: Nine (first seven with the Miami Dolphins)
Offensive coordinator seasons: First (was Bucs passing game coordinator in 2024)
Influences: Liam Coen (Sean McVay), Mike McDaniel (Kyle Shanahan), Adam Gase, Jim Caldwell, Chan Gailey
Key Staff: Tom Moore, Senior Offensive Assistant (Lions OC 1994-6)

Offensive scheme

Passing game: McVay West Coast
Running scheme: Shanahan zone
Staples of scheme:

• Personnel: 11 (67.6%, seventh), 12 (21.2%, 20th), 13 (5,4%, 12th), 21 (3.3%, 12th)
• Heavy McVay/Shanahan scheme influences via Liam Coen (Bucs 2024 OC, current Jaguars HC)
• Core West Coast concepts: Play-action, pre-snap motion, bunch formations, etc.
• Balanced approach
• Pure progression reads
• Rhythm passing plays
• Want to attack and push the ball vertically
• QB has the freedom at the line to check into better plays

Scouting notes

• Vertical passing game is winning them ball games
• QB Baker Mayfield is manipulating safeties and striking deep when they vacate
• Mayfield is quick to diagnose errors on defense
• Mayfield adapts on the fly, pre- and post-snap
• Mayfield fights through sacks — defense can’t stop on a play
• Mayfield is dicing up zone defenses
• More 12 personnel with injuries at WR
• Reserve WRs are very good at YAC
• Loads of pre-snap motion
• Play-action usage is lower than expected for scheme: 18.9% (31st)
• More power and GAP runs (with Rachaad White at RB) than you’d expect in s Shanahan scheme
• OL had a lot of push vs. 49ers (DVOA run defense: 19th), less vs. Seattle (DVOA: 2)

Dan Campbell on the Bucs’ offense:

“Quarterback’s (Baker Mayfield’s) playing really good football right now. Got a lot of respect for him, the way he plays the game. They’ll grind it out but they’ve got an explosive element on their offense – they’ve got guys they can throw to here, they can run the ball, (and...