The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are thanking the football gods for their bye week that came right when they needed it.
A host of offensive injuries with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, and Jalen McMillan have seen Baker Mayfield's weapons be depleted. Granted, the bye week hasn't moved the needle yet on Godwin and Irving returning in Week 10 against the New England Patriots, but the rest was nice.
And for offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, the bye week was good for the locker room, but it was also beneficial for the coaching staff, too.
“I think it came at a right time, more for the guys that are on the field and getting some of those guys healthy and letting them rest,” Grizzard said. “But as a staff, it's really good just to take a deep breath, see where we're at, and especially looking ahead to some of the teams that we play in the division a couple times, where you can take some time to look at tape on those guys as well.
"So, it's good to get out of here for a little bit, see your family, and then get right back to it.”
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Buccaneers face big Patriots test
The Patriots have been one of the surprise packets of the season, and welcoming Mike Vrabel's team to Raymond James Stadium is going to be a big test for Todd Bowles' team.
Sitting at 6-2, the Buccaneers have the division under control, but they have the biggest things on the horizon, and while some don't necessarily see them as Super Bowl contenders, beating the Patriots, with their undermanned offense, would signal that Mayfield's team is to be taken seriously.
Yes, the bye week came at the right time, but the injury list hasn't shrunk as the team would have liked; that's football.
The Buccaneers have been one of the more consistent teams through eight weeks, and now, perhaps their biggest test awaits.
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