Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ X-factor is an unheralded linebacker

Facing a reeling Philadelphia Eagles team that didn’t have wide receiver A.J. Brown, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers knew that stopping the run would be immensely important to secure a victory.

The Buccaneers taking an early lead in the wild-card matchup surely changed the Eagles’ play-calling agenda, but Tampa Bay still managed to allow just 42 rushing yards on 15 carries. This was as big a reason as any that the Buccaneers are still playing while the Eagles head home.

Perhaps the most intriguing statistic to come out of Monday night’s game is the fact that former All-Pro linebacker Devin White played just one run-defense snap and 26 total snaps. A closer look at his production in the run game shows that this is no coincidence.

Devin White Career Run-Defense grades

*among qualified LBs

White finished outside the top 80 in run-defense grade in each of his first four seasons, and he appears very likely to do so again this year. In fact, White owns a career 27.3 run-defense grade that ranks second worst of any linebacker who has played at least 100 snaps since he was drafted in 2019.

There is no doubt White brings solid pass-rush ability and makes some splash plays in coverage, but he’s never found consistency against the run.

Tampa Bay, despite some favorable traditional numbers, was struggling in run defense this season, woes that could’ve been the team's undoing. Coincidentally, things started to turn around in Week 13, which was the beginning of a stretch where White missed time due to injury.

Buccaneers Run-Defense Grades

White missed three games down the stretch and has played only 54 run-defense snaps since his return in Week 16. He’s been utilized in a manner that suits his strengths.

Over his past four games, White has rushed the passer 61 times, including 13 snaps against the Eagles, creating 10 pressures in the process. He also owns a league-leading 90.2 coverage grade over the past four weeks.

But if White has been excelling on passing downs, who has spearheaded Tampa Bay’s turnaround in the run game?

Look no further than former fifth-round pick K.J. Britt. The third-year man out of Auburn started playing significant snaps in Week 14. While he’s almost certainly not the next coming of Bobby Wagner, Britt has been playing the type of fundamentally sound football that the Buccaneers needed.

*among qualified LBs

Britt, on an admittedly small sample size, has played like an above-average linebacker. His overall grade leads the team, while his run-defense grade leads all players in their front seven.

He’s also been adept in coverage, posting a 73.3 coverage grade while allowing only five catches for 40 yards across 83 coverage snaps.

As a result of Britt’s emergence, veteran stalwart Lavonte David has played his best football of the season, as well. Add it all up, and you have a linebacking corps that leads the league, by far, with an 84.2 overall grade since Week 14.

Britt’s willingness to play downhill in the run game has been the key. It’s not flashy, but he’s rarely out of position — a common problem for Devin White.

Tampa Bay now has three linebackers who are being utilized to their strengths. The combination of Britt's run-stopping prowess, David’s coverage skills and White’s utilization as a passing-down specialist has given the Buccaneers more defensive options.

Those three against a fantastic Detroit offensive line, which leads the league in overall grade, is quietly a fun matchup to look forward to this weekend. If Tampa Bay pulls off the upset, those linebackers will likely be a primary reason.