Will Domination Continue?
January 5th, 2021
More of the same Saturday?
The Bucs have been rolling offensively the past three games like they’ve never been before. And it is easy to figure out why.
When the greatest quarterback of his generation is having one of his best seasons, and he’s throwing to a Hall of Fame tight end, a possible Hall of Fame receiver, another receiver with Hall of Fame talent and a third receiver who is a Pro Bowler, how are defenses supposed to shut that down?
To be fair, the Bucs haven’t exactly been torching the Steel Curtain of NFL teams. Still, you never apologize for a win.
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com takes a look to see if the Bucs’ flammable offense will still burn bright against playoff defenses. The Bucs are 1-5 against teams with winning records.
Will tougher competition slow down Tom Brady?
Tampa’s Brady-led offense was close to perfect for its last 10 quarters against the Falcons, Lions and Falcons again. The fundamentally sound Washington defense, led by Chase Young and a rugged defensive line, will provide a much tougher test.
Brady is playing like a top-five quarterback when he’s protected and like a 43-year-old at times when he’s not. Washington will have to hit him and make the Bucs go on long field goal drives to shorten this game, but it’s hard to imagine Alex Smith putting many points on the board after this offense could only muster 248 yards at a meager 4.0 yards per play against the Zombie Eagles on Sunday night.
Brady is playing with plenty of margin for error. He won’t need a 40-point effort to win, but another dominant offensive performance will be a sign this fascinating Bucs team could still play a home game in the Super Bowl.
Joe thinks Rosenthal hit the nail on the head. The Bucs shouldn’t have to score 40 to win on Saturday night.
But Joe does like the thought that the rough-and-tumble Redskins defense that frightens many fans (for good reason) gets torched for 30+ points by Brady’s bunch.
January 5th, 2021 at 12:23 am
Max protection. Or at least more protection than normal, start the game with lots of quick passes.
January 5th, 2021 at 12:37 am
I’d take a 3 step approach –
Step 1: “Tom, what do you think gives us the best chance to move the ball and score points on this defense?”
Step 2: Listen to Tom
Step 3: Agree with Tom
January 5th, 2021 at 1:14 am
I like Bucs4821s 3-step approach!
January 5th, 2021 at 1:24 am
Hey Joe, how many times have the Bucs punted in the last 8 quarters that Brady has played since halftime of the 1st Falcons game. 3-4 Falcons, 1-2 Detroit, 1-4 Falcons. Is it 0 times?
January 5th, 2021 at 4:44 am
“ When the greatest quarterback of his generation”
This is Joe’s passive aggressive way of saying Joe Montana is the GOAT, not TB12. Why do you delight in making things up? And better yet, why are you here every day if you consider Joe a fool? –Joe
He thinks he’s been clever to hide his opinion this way. You don’t deserve TB12 Joe! But it’s not about that in the end either. He’ll just continue to prove fools like you wrong and you’ll never accept him as the best. No worries. The rest of us know.
January 5th, 2021 at 5:24 am
Rosenthal asked an interesting question … ‘Will tougher competition slow down Tom Brady?’ … but right now we have no yardstick to evaluate that against IMO. Bucs have FOUR wins in a row, in DECEMBER no less (OK, including 1 in Jan). Bucs haven’t won their last 4 regular season games since, oh ya , NEVER. Uncharted territory there.
In that 4 game stretch, we’ve amassed 148 total points (37 PPG average) which is incredible. An exceptional 4-game stretch that allowed us to finish with the #3 offense in terms of Points Scored (492 pts) PLUS a #7 ranking in terms of Total Yards (6145). Bucs ended the season with a Top-10 offense using both criteria, and in the process scored the most points ever scored by a Bucs’ team, by far. Uncharted territory there also.
But don’t sleep on our defense; it only allowed 75 points (18.8 PPG average) in that 4-game stretch which is also very good. It finished the season ranked as the #8 defense in terms of Points Allowed (355 pts) PLUS a #6 ranking in terms of Total Yards Allowed (5234). Bucs ended the season with a Top-10 defense using both criteria, something we hadn’t done since 2008 when Monte Kiffin was our DC.
Despite some injuries & the impact of COVID, this Bucs’ team is gelling at the right time, and BOTH sides of the ball are playing excellent COMPLIMENTARY FOOTBALL, as is our Special Teams. We’re a better overall team than Washington, but we’re playing on their turf, and anything can happen in the playoffs as we’ve seen before. It’s still one game at a time … go Bucs; you got this.
January 5th, 2021 at 6:40 am
Our dbs have a penchant for making qbs look good. It’s in our history-cue Kirk cousins coming out party. Hope Alex Smith is too old to feel young again, but don’t assume it.
January 5th, 2021 at 6:42 am
I had no idea the Bucs had the least amount of penalties the last ten games. The Bucs?!!! Protection on the left side is a must so we might see more Fournette and two TE.
January 5th, 2021 at 7:23 am
@Reddington Neck Shores Says:
January 5th, 2021 at 6:40 am
Our dbs have a penchant for making qbs look good. …
Almost all teams fans will say the same things. In this passing league, average quarterbacks throw for 28 TDs, 3800 yards, 6.4 net yards per pass attempt.
I will say that last one again. 6.4 net yards per pass attempt.
The Bucs were pretty average in some pass defense stats. Fortunately, they are better than average in net yards per pass attempt and interceptions.
January 5th, 2021 at 7:28 am
The game plan: “yes Tom”
January 5th, 2021 at 7:58 am
I don’t think they should curl up and run the ball. Waft will expect it. Keep doing what they’ve done the last two game. Dojo is good….but they will stuff him if it’s expected.
January 5th, 2021 at 8:00 am
Simple. Most of the time, have Gronk in to help Smith and keep Rojo/Fournette in the pick up the 5th rusher or in case someone gets loose. That leaves 3 WRs to feast on WFT’s less than stellar DBs, Evans, Godwin and AB.
I think we win that battle most of the time.
January 5th, 2021 at 10:58 am
BL will scheme it up….brady and the offense has to execute…..simple as that!!!
bowles and the defense cant let alex smith get comfortable and continue to shut down the run game…
GO BUCS!!!!