Bucs' Run Defense Among the NFL's Best

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 1-4 start has been the result of many close games being lost, while both sides of the ball have struggled to find consistency.

However, head coach Todd Bowles does have his defense playing well, with the focus on stopping the run once again being apparent.

Throughout Bowles' coaching and coordinating career, shutting down opposing team's ground games has been a staple of his philosophy.

This year, it has been no different, with Tampa trailing only the Jacksonville Jaguars for the least amount of average rushing yards allowed per game (72.8).

Through the opening five weeks of the season, Tampa has not allowed a player to eclipse more than 58 rushing yards, with Aaron Jones Sr. being one of two running backs to rush for 50 yards or more against the Bucs' defense.

Last week, in the Bucs' lone victory of the season over the Dallas Cowboys, Javonte Williams was held to just 45 yards on the ground, with the team as a whole rushing for 50.

Having the ability to shut down opposing team's run games allows Bowles to utilize more players in his secondary and forces teams to be one-dimensional.

This was the case against starting quarterback Dak Prescott, who completed just 24 of his 42 passing attempts, surrendering two interceptions against the Bucs defense.

Former Miami defensive back Keionte Scott had a big day against Prescott and the Cowboys' defense, recording a career-high seven tackles and breaking up a pass.

His pass breakup was on a blitz, getting penetration up the middle and forcing an incompletion on a tipped ball.

This ability to play close to the line of scrimmage and be used as an extra blitzer fits with Bowles' scheme, as he likes to have speedy secondary players added into certain pressure packages.

As the Bucs look to turn their season around and begin stacking together some wins, having Scott and the remaining secondary players keyed in on the run will continue to be crucial.

The Bucs are back in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon, who have begun to click in the passing game.

Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown nine passing touchdowns over his past three games, with the team threatening for the AFC North lead.

Picking up a victory against the Steelers would thrust the Bucs firmly back into the race for the NFC South crown, with the Carolina Panthers currently leading the pack at 2-2.