Wildcard Preview Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Washington Football Team

 

            Buccaneers vs Washington Football Team

       The last game of the Saturday three game showcase is between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as  they travel up to the nation’s capital to play the how did they even make it?7-9 NFC East champs Washington Football Team. The Buccaneers have played well in 2020-2021 but just not up to the expectations everyone expected from a Tom Brady led team. The Buccaneers were expected to go 15-1 winning the division, conference, etc with the stars such as Mike Evans, Chris Goodwin, Antonio Brown, Gronk, Ronald Jones II, Leonard Fournette on offense. People believe Brady lacked these type of stars for years. Not just on offense either the Bucs defense has Lavonte Davis, Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul, and others on defense. Their 11-5 and wildcard berth is disappointing to some it’s a good season to me. No OTAs, no preseason, new coach, new city, and Brady still goes 11-5? Absolutely the goat. The Washington Football are above expectations even with their first round pick of 2019 Dwayne Haskins being released at the end of the season, head coach Ron Rivera had cancer, and their backup Alex Smith didn’t know if he could walk again a year ago they still won the beat up NFC East.  Washington is hopeful they can get Alex Smith back in the Wild Card Round as they are 10-6 when he starts. His backup Taylor Heinicke got an ugly win against the Eagles to win the division in week 17. The Eagles took out Jalen Hurts and others starts throughout the game even though they’re eliminated from the playoffs, and only being within 3 points. Alex Smith starting in my opinion is the only hope for Washington to win. The clear way to beat Brady at 43 is to cause pressure in the pocket he can’t move he’s isolated. Pressure disturbs his throws as much as you can, and he’s easy to sack he’s right there. The WFT does cause this pressure that is spoken of, Chase Young and Montez Sweat love sacking the QB. The WFT defense is 4th in sack percentage and hits on the QB that’s the formula to beat Tampa. The problem is the Bucs offense line is very good they are second in sack percentage on the oline side. They don’t let their QB get sacked. Washington will need to go to a lack luster running game to keep the ball away from such an explosive offense which they don’t do well. They are 26th in rushing, 25th in rushing attempts, 25th in points, and 30th in offense. The offense is not good and against a Tampa offense that’s third in points the WFT will need to make this one a hard rough game. The second it becomes a scoring contest it’s over. Especially with the rumors Rivera is considered rotating Heinicke and Smith in and out which is okay in preseason but in the postseason? Seems like an interesting tactic. The WFT does cause such havoc though they are third in opponents QBR, and 10th in non offensive touchdowns. They will need to force Brady to make mistakes and get touchdowns besides on offense they have proven they can do this. Chase Young’s comments of saying “He wants Brady.” Are questionable why would you give a Goat bulletin board material? To be honest don’t think it matters much.  It could be a good game but it’s hard for me to see it being close. A trip to the divisional round is in Tampa’s hands it’s their choose to blow it. 

Prediction: Buccaneers over WFT 31-10