Get after Deshaun Watson
Watson was sacked five times against Jacksonville and consistently struggled when the Jaguars disrupted the pocket. Tampa Bay spent the offseason adding more juice to its front seven, and this is an opportunity for players like Yaya Diaby, Rueben Bain Jr., and Al Quadin Muhammad to turn that investment into production. There is another element the Bucs have to account for, though. Watson still has the athleticism to extend plays with his legs, which makes rush discipline important. Bowles specifically emphasized staying disciplined when rushing the passer ahead of Sunday's matchup. Getting pressure matters, but allowing Watson to escape through open rushing lanes could turn a good defensive snap into a first down.
Make Cleveland one-dimensional
The Bucs have built their defensive
identity around stopping the run, and that needs to continue Sunday. Tampa Bay finished fifth against the run last season, allowing 99.1 rushing yards per game, while Cleveland's offense ranked 27th at 97.0 yards per game. If the Bucs can control the line of scrimmage early and put Cleveland into obvious passing situations, it opens up Bowles' pressure packages and forces Watson to consistently beat Tampa Bay through the air.
Get off the field on third down
Cleveland went just one for eight on third down in Week 1, continuing an issue that carried over from last season. The Browns ranked 29th in third-down percentage in 2025, at just 33.6%. The Bucs need to win first and second down, force Watson into third-and-long situations, and then let Bowles get creative with his pressure looks. Extended drives would allow Cleveland to establish rhythm and keep Tampa Bay's offense standing on the sideline. After allowing 33 points in Cincinnati, this is a good opportunity for the Bucs defense to respond. If Tampa Bay can pressure Watson without losing containment, shut down the running game, and continue Cleveland's third-down struggles, Tampa Bay should be able to make life difficult for the Browns offense throughout the afternoon.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Three Keys for Bucs defense vs Browns
