For all the criticism surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense through the first five games of the season, one position group has quietly established itself as one of the best in football. Despite the offensive struggles, Tampa Bay's offensive line has been doing its job at an elite level, and the numbers back it up.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Buccaneers have allowed pressure on just 18.4% of their pass-blocking snaps this season, the lowest rate in the NFL. That puts them ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs (18.9%), Atlanta Falcons (19.1%), Cincinnati Bengals (20.6%), and Minnesota Vikings (21.2%).
It is an impressive accomplishment for a unit that faced criticism following its Week 1 performance, particularly after Tristan Wirfs struggled
in the season opener. Since then, the offensive line has shown considerable improvement, providing a level of consistency that has been missing from several other areas of Tampa Bay's offense. What makes the statistic even more impressive is the situation surrounding the Buccaneers at quarterback. With Baker Mayfield sidelined due to his thumb injury, rookie Jalon Daniels has been forced into the starting role much earlier than anticipated. Protecting an inexperienced quarterback is critical, especially one still adjusting to the speed of NFL defenses, and Tampa Bay's offensive line has given Daniels the opportunity to operate without defenders constantly in his face.
The offensive line deserves additional credit considering the struggles elsewhere on offense. Tampa Bay has dealt with inconsistent production in the running game, questionable offensive play-calling, and an inability to finish drives consistently. However, pass protection has largely remained a strength, even when the overall offensive results haven't reflected it. That doesn't mean the offensive line has been perfect. Penalties and breakdowns have still hurt Tampa Bay, and the unit needs to continue improving its consistency in the running game. Still, allowing the league's lowest pressure rate should not be overlooked, especially when evaluating where the Buccaneers stand offensively. For a team desperately trying to turn its season around, having one of the NFL's best pass-protecting offensive lines gives Tampa Bay something legitimate to build around.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs offensive line is allowing the lowest pressure rate in the NFL
