Buccaneers' standout rookie running back Bucky Irving turned heads against the Carolina Panthers in Week 13, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Despite facing a stacked box on a season-high 32.0% of his carries at Bank of America Stadium, Irving recorded 185 scrimmage yards, including 152 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown in Tampa Bay's Week 13 overtime victory.
Irving's 152 rushing yards were the most among all NFL players in Week 13 and his 185 scrimmage yards were the most among all NFC players in Week 13. The Oregon product led the NFL in Week 13 in yards/rush attempt among players with 20-plus attempts (6.1). In addition, Irving led the NFL in Week 13 in yards/touch among players with 20-plus touches (6.6). For the season, Irving trails only Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry in yards per touch (min. 125 touches). Irving's 109 fourth quarter scrimmage yards and 97 fourth quarter rushing yards both led the NFL in Week 13 and Irving (306) trails only Saquon Barkley (481) and Derrick Henry (347) in fourth quarter rushing yards on the season.
On the 2024 season, Irving leads all rookies in scrimmage yards (1,017), rushing yards (732) and is tied for the lead in rushing touchdowns (six). His six touchdowns from scrimmage are tied for the second-most among rookies, trailing only Marvin Harrison Jr. (7).
Against Carolina, Irving took advantage of wham blocks by tight ends and created from cutbacks. He exploded for a 43-yard run and scored a six-yard touchdown off a counter in the fourth quarter. He showcased his feel and vision, making defenders miss. Irving pairs contact balance with leg drive to succeed inside and possesses a lethal lateral jump cut to gain chunk yardage in space. With decisiveness as a runner and change-of-direction skills, Irving has helped reinvigorate the Bucs' ground attack in 2024. Tampa Bay currently ranks fourth in the NFL in yards per rush (5.1) after finishing last (32nd) in that category in each of the last two seasons.
