If you hang around enough NFL coaches & players, you will always hear that there aren't any easy games in the NFL. But certainly there are some games that may be easier than others. For instance, when your defense doesn't have to face a running back that is an elite dual threat back, both running & catching the ball. The type of elite running back that is capable of having 100 yards both rushing & receiving in the same game. Well unfortunately for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after losing to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, their defense will be faced with the task of playing one of those elite running backs in each of the next two games.
Before the Buccaneers host the New York Giants & running back Saquon Barkley in week three, they will face Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey on Thursday night in Charlotte, when the team takes on Carolina. McCaffrey, who had a combined 209 yards from scrimmage on Sunday in the Panthers 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, will be a major challenge for defensive coordinator Todd Bowles & the Buccaneers defense.
Bowles, who met with the media on Monday, stated it takes more than one defensive player to slow the third year running back, who had over 1,000 yards rushing & 107 catches last year.
Click below to hear the full interview with Bowles