Special teams make special teams, as they say.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got to figure that out firsthand Sunday in their 27-17 win, as punter [autotag]Jake Camarda[/autotag] was a big reason why the team was able to secure the victory. In recognition for his efforts, he was awarded as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday.
Camarda impressed all game, first delivering a 72-yard punt that went out for a touchback. He then put his remaining three punts inside the 20 yard line the last of which was crucial — that punt backed up the Bears to the edge of the end zone and allowed outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett to score a touchdown when he picked off quarterback Justin Fields.
On top of that, he was the one that recovered Tampa Bay’s first blocked kick in the first quarter, and offensive coordinator Dave Canales made sure to give him his props for that, too:
His recovery of that fg block might have saved a scoop and score! EVERYTHING MATTERS! https://t.co/A4ghoZHgYk
— Dave Canales (@DcoachCanales) September 20, 2023
As good as Camarda is, the Bucs will look to make him sit on the bench as much as possible when they play the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. For the times the team does need to punt, however, it may be in good hands with the former Georgia Bulldog.
[lawrence-auto-related count=5]