Bucs defense among the leagues best in a critical category

Through the first four weeks, the Bucs have generated 77 pressures, earning a top-five spot in the league.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has largely been talked about due to the play of the secondary, with the emergence of CB Zyon McCollum and the play of S Christian Izien while Antoine Winfield Jr. remains sidelined with a foot injury. Through the first four weeks, the Bucs have generated 77 pressures, earning a top-five spot in the league.

Yaya Diaby’s 21 pressures not only lead the Bucs but also tie him with Micah Parsons for fourth-most in the NFL. While registering a sack is the ultimate goal, it doesn’t tell the full story. Pressuring opposing quarterbacks into moving around the pocket only creates more opportunities for mistakes. As fans saw during Sunday’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Hurts was never able to get comfortable in the backfield, as the Bucs generated 26 pressures on the day.

Through four games this season, the Atlanta Falcons’ 26th-ranked pass-blocking offensive line has allowed 45 pressures on Kirk Cousins. For context, the Bucs’ offensive line has allowed eight fewer pressures, with 37. Expect Todd Bowles to exploit matchups on Thursday as the Falcons’ running game has a setback with RB Bijan Robinson not playing at 100% with a hamstring injury.