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More McCown Good Play Will Go a Long Way**
One of the bright spots from last Sunday's loss to Atlanta with the re-debut of Josh McCown. After going back and re-watching the game, it's obvious that the team and offense responded to him and his leadership for a couple of key reasons. One, he continually made the right decisions on throws, even when that meant pulling it down and gaining yards with his feed when needed. Second, and just as important, he was able to convert third downs, which kept drives alive and put up points. The Bucs must protect him and then build upon and improve this moving forward, starting Sunday with the Redskins.Keep RG III and the Redskins from Burning You
Now that Washington has their starter back after a dislocated ankle sidelined him for almost half the year, look for Robert Griffin III to not only try to air it out on the Bucs pass defense, but also try to use his legs (as much as that looks crazy to write) to move the offense. As Gerald McCoy said on his Wednesday night radio show, it is a different situation when Griffin is running the read option because he will not only take off around the end, but will step back and launch it deep to his big play threats. The Buccaneers will have to be ready for both. If they are prepared, then it greatly helps their chances.Make a Play!
How many times has that been uttered by either Head Coach Lovie Smith or the players in recent weeks when talking to the media? Now imagine how many times has it been uttered inside the walls of the facility in closed meetings? Got to believe it's been a few. In each of the last three games, Tampa Bay has failed in a one-score, winnable fourth quarter game to…. Make, That, Play. Whether it's a sack on third down, a critical late takeaway, the offense getting in the end zone by making one more play than the defense, or even our special teams coming through in the clutch, that big play has to happen Sunday at FedEx Field. Too many times the story postgame has started with the a familiar "if only." It's time to get the key pick or huge touchdown. Do something to take the game from the Redskins, who may be ripe to give it away.
QB Josh McCown is back under center for the Buccaneers and this week he must try to outsmart his defensive counterpart, Redskins LB Keenan Robinson, the team's leading tackler.
DEs Michael Johnson & William Gholston vs. QB Robert Griffin III In his three games this year, RGIII has yet to really shine in the run game. The Bucs DEs will play a big role in trying to keep it that way this week. Griffin has 48 rushing yards this season, just 16 per game. That is more than 30 yards per game fewer than he had in 2012-13, and, interestingly, two shy of Josh McCown's rushing yards per game this year (in four contests). One of the factors in the Vikings' success in limiting RGIII on the ground last Sunday was solid play from DE Everson Griffen and OLB Chad Greenway. Both registered a sack and were disciplined in keeping RGIII from getting to the edge. In that game, Griffin was sacked five times and stuffed twice on seven rushing attempts. Getting after RGIII and forcing him inside to the DTs and LBs will be a big key to this game.
QB Josh McCown vs. LB Keenan RobinsonIt's offensive signal caller vs. defensive signal caller. In his first start after returning from injury, McCown posted a solid 301-yard, two-TD, two-INT game. Despite surrendering just 222.9 passing yards per game, seventh fewest in the league, the Redskins allow the sixth-highest opposing QB passer rating thanks to 18 touchdown passes allowed (sixth-most) and three interceptions secured (tied for the league low). Robinson has one of those interceptions, along with 1.5 sacks and a team-leading 76 tackles. This matchup is all about which player can take control of his side of the ball, forcing and capitalizing on his opponent's mistakes.
WR Mike Evans vs. CB Bashaud BreelandThe Bucs' rookie first-rounder will likely see a lot of Breeland, a rookie and a fourth-round draft pick, in this matchup. Evans is off to a very hot start in November, with 249 yards and three touchdowns over the last two weeks. All but 25 of those 249 yards have come at the catch, meaning in this case that his receptions are coming deep downfield and near the sidelines. The Washington secondary has allowed 10 touchdowns to WRs this season, at an average distance of 24.1 yards. If McCown continues to look for Evans deep, he has a chance see his third straight game with 100-plus yards and a score.
CB Alterraun Verner vs. WR DeSean JacksonWhen defining the prototype NFL deep-target receiver, you don't need to look any farther than Jackson. This season, his 21.8 yards per reception is nearly three yards more than the second name on the list. He has touchdowns of 81, 64 and 60 yards so far this year. He has 36 receiving touchdowns in his career and 26 of them are from a distance of 30 yards. Despite allowing the second most passing yards per game this year, the Buccaneers have been stingy against the deep ball, allowing just three receptions of 40 yards, the fourth-fewest in the league. Expect to see Verner and Jackson battle deep down field at least a few times in this one…that is, if Verner is cleared to play after missing last week's game with an ankle injury. Verner is listed as questionable on Friday's injury report, and if he can't go this very important responsibility will likely fall to Johnthan Banks or Crezdon Butler.
RT Demar Dotson vs. OLB Ryan KerriganPro Football Focus has Dotson graded as the sixth-best right tackle this season, with the third-highest pass block grade among RTs, having allowed just three sacks, zero QB hits and 12 QB hurries. This week, he'll go up against the Redskins' best pass-rusher, Kerrigan, who has 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles on the season. Four of those sacks came in a single week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. McCown was sacked four times last week by the Atlanta Falcons, who had just seven sacks through their first eight games.
LB Lavonte David vs. RB Alfred MorrisMorris came into the league in 2012 as a sixth-round draft pick out of Florida Atlantic University and burst onto the scene with 13 touchdowns and 1,613 rushing yards, both the second-highest marks in the NFL that year. He followed it up with a 1,275-yard season in 2013. Over the last two weeks, Morris has found his rhythm, going for 165 yards and three TDs. Should the DEs be successful at funneling the runs to the inside, it will be up the 2013 All-Pro to clean up. David has 14 tackles in four of his last five games, averages an NFL-best 11.4 tackles per game and is third in the league with 8.5 stuffs this season.
