Bucs Week 9 PFF grades: Bain shines, Mayfield struggles

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Week 9 Pro Football Focus grades show a team that received strong performances at several positions but struggled in areas that proved costly during its 27-24 loss to the Chicago Bears.Rueben Bain Jr. led Tampa Bay's defense with an 82.1 overall grade, while Baker Mayfield received a 44.0 offensive grade after throwing two interceptions. The offensive line's pass-blocking grades were uneven, and several defensive backs struggled in coverage despite the team's ability to generate turnovers.Rueben Bain Jr. leads Tampa Bay's defenseBain earned the Buccaneers' highest defensive grade at 82.1, recording four quarterback pressures on 21 pass-rushing snaps. His pressures included one quarterback hit and three hurries, for a 19% pressure rate without a sack.He also forced a fumble and received an 88.1 coverage grade, although that figure came on only four coverage snaps. Bain played 35 defensive snaps overall, making his four pressures and forced fumble particularly notable given his limited opportunities.The production reflects how effectively Bain disrupted Chicago's offense without needing a sack to make an impact.Baker Mayfield struggles with turnovers and pressureMayfield finished with a 44.0 offensive grade and a 42.6 passing grade after completing 18 of 32 passes for 243 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions.PFF credited him with two big-time throws and two turnover-worthy plays, showing his downfield passing opportunities carried considerable risk. His adjusted completion percentage was 65.5%, compared with his actual completion rate of 56.3%.Mayfield also faced 11 pressures across 36 dropbacks and was sacked four times. His 36.4% pressure-to-sack rate shows how often those disruptions led to lost yardage rather than simply hurried throws.The two interceptions were especially damaging in a game where Tampa Bay's defense generated additional possessions, making Mayfield's passing performance one of the clearest concerns in the Week 9 grades.Ben Bredeson's pass protection stands out for the wrong reasonsLeft guard Ben Bredeson received a 24.1 pass-blocking grade, the lowest among Tampa Bay's starting offensive linemen, after allowing five pressures on 39 pass-blocking snaps. Those pressures included one sack, one quarterback hit, and three hurries.Bredeson accounted for more pressures than any other Buccaneers offensive lineman, while his 67.5 run-blocking grade demonstrated how differently PFF evaluated his work in the two phases.Left tackle Tristan Wirfs provided a significant contrast, earning an 86.0 pass-blocking grade and allowing only two hurries without surrendering a sack or quarterback hit across 39 pass-blocking snaps.Right tackle Luke Goedeke also performed well, receiving a 79.0 pass-blocking grade, although PFF charged him with one sack allowed. Tampa Bay's difficulties were concentrated more heavily along the interior, where Bredeson and center Graham Barton combined to allow six pressures.Bucky Irving creates most of his rushing yards after contactIrving finished with a 74.4 offensive grade after rushing for 97 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Of those 97 yards, 84 came after contact, accounting for 86.6% of his rushing production.PFF also credited Irving with seven missed tackles forced on rushing attempts and 4.2 yards after contact per carry. Those numbers show how much of his production came from creating extra yardage rather than simply running through openings his blockers provided.He contributed another 28 yards on four receptions, finishing with 125 yards from scrimmage.Kenneth Gainwell led Tampa Bay's backfield receiving, catching all three targets for 60 yards. He generated 43 yards after the catch and averaged 5.45 yards per route run, making him an effective option when Tampa Bay got him the ball in space.Keionte Scott, Zyon McCollum and Josiah Trotter struggle in coverageThe Buccaneers' coverage grades were considerably less impressive than their takeaway production might suggest, with several defenders allowing efficient passing numbers when targeted.Keionte Scott earned a 56.9 coverage grade after allowing five completions on five targets for 69 yards and a touchdown. Chicago's quarterbacks posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating when throwing his way, while 64 yards came after the catch.Zyon McCollum recorded two interceptions but finished with a 48.2 overall defensive grade and a 44.6 coverage grade. He allowed four receptions on nine targets for 57 yards and a touchdown, and he missed one tackle.The interceptions were significant contributions, but McCollum's low grade reflects the difference between creating turnovers and consistently limiting production throughout the game.Linebacker Josiah Trotter also struggled in coverage, receiving a 37.7 grade after allowing four completions on five targets for 37 yards. His run defense was much stronger, with a 72.7 run-defense grade and four defensive stops, but coverage concerns kept his overall grade at 52.5.Jacob Parrish provides a bright spot in the secondaryWhile several Tampa Bay defenders struggled in coverage, Jacob Parrish earned a 72.4 overall defensive grade and a 70.3 coverage grade across 61 defensive snaps.Parrish allowed only two completions on five targets for 45 yards, recorded one pass breakup, and surrendered no touchdowns. He also earned a 76.9 tackling grade without missing a tackle.His performance contrasted with the secondary's coverage issues elsewhere, especially given he played 41 coverage snaps and was targeted five times.The Week 9 grades highlight two areas Tampa Bay must address during its bye: protecting Mayfield more consistently along the interior offensive line and reducing the production allowed in coverage. Bain, Irving, and Parrish delivered productive individual performances, but those contributions weren't enough to overcome the mistakes that led to another loss.This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs Week 9 PFF grades: Bain shines, Mayfield struggles