On defense there is only one statistic which matters: How few points did your opponents score? By that measure, Tampa Bay finished 9th in the NFL, giving up an average of 19.9 points per game.
How important is Defensive Points Allowed? The eight teams who finished with a lower average are all in the playoffs. The other four playoff teams are ranked #11 (Kansas City), #21 (Philadelphia), #23 (Indianapolis), and #25 (Seattle).
Obviously, it's a significant indicator of success and a big reason the Buccaneers finished 2010 with a 10-6 record.
It's another indicator of how far the team has progressed since going 3-13 last year. In 2009, Tampa Bay surrendered an average of 25 points per game, which was 27th in the NFL. It's the lowest points-per-game average since 2007 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 3rd stingiest in the NFL giving up a measly average of just 16.9 points.
Combine this accomplishment with the Top 10 Rushing attack and the formula put forth by Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Mark Dominik before the 2009 season is proven out: be a physical running team and a stingy defense and you will have success.
In the Buccaneers case, it appears it will be a lasting success!
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