Bucs Catch Huge Break
December 13th, 2020
Status update
Joe fully expects the Vikings to go pass-happy later today when they face the Bucs at the Den of Depression for the biggest game that stadium has seen since the Bucs tanked in order to draft Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
It seems the Vikings will be without one of their best weapons in the passing game.
Tight end Kyle Rudolph, per uber-NFL insider Adam Schefter is not expected to play today. Schefter has the details.
Vikings’ TE Kyle Rudolph is not expected to play Sunday vs. Tampa Bay due to a foot injury, per source. However, the Vikings are expected to get back Irv Smith, who has a back injury that still could limit some of his play time.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 13, 2020
This is big news in Joe’s eyes. You take away a guy like that in the passing game and there’s no way around it, you are a lesser passing team.
December 13th, 2020 at 12:39 am
Let’s not sit here and act like Rudolph is the second coming of Rob Gronkowski. He has 334 yards and one touchdown this season. He hasn’t been a dynamic threat for years now.
December 13th, 2020 at 2:21 am
i heard a few days ago their 2 top tight ends would most likely be out this game…
sounds fair enough…
as we are without howard and brate as well
December 13th, 2020 at 2:41 am
I wouldn’t call it a huge break in the passing game. He averages a little over 2 catches per game. As a run blocking tight end he isn’t very good at that, so maybe the Vikings will catch a break not using him. With Thielen, Jefferson and Cook they have 3 weapons that are being better utilized than any current Buc on offense. If anything, giving his target share to them is a cause for concern.
December 13th, 2020 at 5:12 am
Whatever anyone calls it, it is good news for the Bucs. One less Veteran weapon to guard against. Now just actually win the line of scrimmage and win the game. This is a game to get ROJO on track. Since the Vikings have to manufacture a pass rush, Brady should do just fine today. Just like against Carolina and the Raiders, with no pass-rush Brady is going to have a good game. The only way to lose the game today is by turning the ball over, other than that it should be a victory. Go BUCS!!!! 35-21 Win for the good guys.
December 13th, 2020 at 5:16 am
IMO, the bigger injury news is the Eric Kendricks is out at LB. I’m pretty sure he may wear the green dot and makes the defensive calls. He’s also a ballhawk in coverage so will be nice not having him out there.
December 13th, 2020 at 6:14 am
Wow, tough group this morning. But Louis nailed it … “With Thielen, Jefferson and Cook they have 3 weapons that are being better utilized than any current Buc on offense.”
The Vikings only loss in the last 6 games … to the Cowboys 31-28 … should be the Bucs’ blueprint for today’s game for us. BOTH teams used a very BALANCED ATTACK, but Dallas was actually more efficient with their running game AND didn’t fumble as much so they squeaked out a victory.
Vikings ran the ball 29 times for 125 yds (4.3 YPC) and were very flexible in how they used Cook (up-the-middle, around-both-ends, etc). Cousins was 22-for-30 passing for 314 yds and 3 TDs with 0 INTs. Vikes run-pass ratio was 47.5%, a very balanced attack with selective (and effective) use of the deep pass. No surprise that Cook was their running game (27 runs for 115 yds) and was also key as a receiver (5-of-5 for 45 yds). No surprise either that Thielen (8-of-11 for 123 yds) and Jefferson (3-of-5 for 86 yds) played big.
Interestingly Cousins’ deep passes were key (5-for-8, but the last one was a Hail Mary) … on each scoring drive there was a completed deep pass involved. Cook had one (26 yds), Thielen had one (51 yds) and Jefferson had one (39 yds). They appear to be very patient (selective?) in using their run game & short passing game to set up the long bombs. Wow, what a concept.
Cowboys ran the ball 31 times for 180 yds (5.8 YPC) but they had 2 long runs in there totaling 60 yds. Dalton was efficient passing (completed 22-of-32 passes for 203 yds) with 3 TDs & 1 INT. He used the deep pass very little (2-of-3 for 53 yds all in the 1st half), but both completions kept drives alive that led to points. Cowboys run-pass ratio was 48.4% with Elliott getting most of the carries (21 carries for 103 yds), although Pollard got 5 carries for 60 yds (including one 42 yd explosive run for a TD that was critical).
Vikings’ turnovers were critical (3 fumbles, 2 lost) in that game. Dallas was ahead 17-7 at the half, but Vikes scored 3 TDs in about a 15-minute period starting in 3rd qtr to take the lead. Dallas bounced back though scoring a TD with 2 mins left to retake the lead then held on to win the game. Dalton’s short passing (5-of-7 for 37 yds) on that drive, combined with 4 rushes for 29 yds, was critical.
Looking at their most recent wins, the Vikings appear to be quite patient & consistent in shooting for a balanced attack. They are prone to giving the ball away (9 TOs in the last 4 games alone), but also relatively good at generating takeaways (8 TOs in the last 4 games). They’ve been winning the close games recently with late in the game comebacks, which I think is impressive. Hopefully our Bucs’ defense isn’t as impressed & nails the door shut for a Bucs’ victory.
December 13th, 2020 at 6:31 am
Cousins & the Vikings are dangerous late in close games……..we need to take the lead and increase it…..we don’t want this game to be close…
The Rudolf loss is good news because we can focus on Jefferson & Thielen……and ….caution….we need to contain Cousins….he will burn us by running if we aren’t careful.
December 13th, 2020 at 6:37 am
bucs fans……………expect soft zones and the bucs crappy pass defense to make kirk cousins look like the second coming of joe montana
………bucs lose a close game today and the wheels will come off this franchise
December 13th, 2020 at 7:04 am
I’ve never understood the fascination by some fans and media with celebrating when the opposing team is at less than full strength. This seems like a coward’s mindset as far as I’m concerned.
If you can’t beat an opponent at full strength then you have no business beating them at all. It’s a measuring stick that reveals how good your team really is or isn’t. Getting victories by default, due to injuries or suspensions or whatever, is totally unsatisfying to this fan. But then again maybe I don’t think like a coward, since I want to beat my opponent when they’re at their best.
December 13th, 2020 at 7:09 am
lol The lack of a pass rush for the Vikes means the Bucs will be able to overcome soft zones because of the offense actually scoring points today. When the opponent does not have a pass rush Brady feasts. .Just like when they played Carolina and the Raiders. And ROJO should actually get some attempts today GO BUCS!!!
December 13th, 2020 at 7:12 am
Bucs ain’t beating nobody today except themselves!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………..all this damn talent on this team and they’re no better than a non-talented team
You know what that says to me??????……………that says this coaching staff 100% SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!
FIRE THIS WHOLE DAMN COACHING STAFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 13th, 2020 at 7:32 am
lol lol GO BUCS!!!!
December 13th, 2020 at 7:36 am
When the opposing team is at less than full strength is normally win the Bucs SHAT the bed. BOOK IT!
December 13th, 2020 at 7:42 am
Damn Anthem, sad already?! It’s 7:41 Sunday morning! Go to church or something and turn that frown upside down! Go Bucs!!!
December 13th, 2020 at 8:04 am
Anthem, don’t go to church, you are a big enough D bag as is.
December 13th, 2020 at 8:30 am
FLboyinD, don’t worry, their third-string TE will be made to look like Mark Bávaro today by the “coverage skills” of our LBs & defensive scheme. Devin White will sound cool while being mixed-up, though.
December 13th, 2020 at 8:50 am
Mostly trolls posting here. If you guys are fans that’s pretty sad.
December 13th, 2020 at 9:06 am
Yes, we are fans. Just realists is all. I’ve been a Bucs fan since 1977. Seen this movie WAYYYYY to many times. This needs to be a statement game for the Bucs. Either they SHAT the bed or they just may be playoff contenders….NOT pretenders.
December 13th, 2020 at 9:07 am
Defenserules,
The Vikings have won close games in a last few minutes of the game against some of the worst teams in the NFL. How is that impressive?
Flaboy, that’s pure get off my lawn old guy smack. Injuries are part of the game and players who play thru the pain. The teams that exploit their opponents weaknesses usually win. Or anyway to view it is, equality doesn’t exist.
December 13th, 2020 at 9:23 am
Mike C Says:
December 13th, 2020 at 8:04 am
Anthem, don’t go to church, you are a big enough D bag as is.
____________
Very offensive name calling 😀
December 13th, 2020 at 9:26 am
The Bucs always SHAT the bed
The Bucs will SHAT the bed today……….FIRE EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 13th, 2020 at 12:51 pm
D1
Unfortunately, we don’t seem to be able to gameplan for weaknesses.
We single cover the 4.2 guy, run up the middle on first, chuck 2 bombs on second and third. Punt
Lather rinse repeat 🔁