Jags’ Strength Versus Bucs’ Will
October 11th, 2015
The stat sheet — and Paul Posluszny — says today won’t be a big one for Doug Martin.
So what NFL team allows the fewest yards per carry?
That’s the Jacksonville Jaguars, the guys standing in the way of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 12 short hours.
This sets up quite a clash. Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, just coughed up the ball left and right last week, and surely the Bucs want to take plenty of pressure off him. But the best way to do that is running the football, and the Jags will be waiting.
Don’t think so? Listen to their middle linebacker, Paul Posluszny, via Jacksonville.com.
Posluszny said it will be “interesting” to see how the Buccaneers script their opening-drive plays after so many turnovers last week.
“When a quarterback goes through a situation like that, it’s, ‘We’re going to run the ball and make things easier for him with screens and less risky throws,’ ” Posluszny said. “We’ll have to see how they come out and attack us. We need to look for opportunities to make something happen.”
The Jaguars forced two turnovers but still lost at Indianapolis, and they have only one interception in four games. If Winston plays a clean game out of the gate, he and the Bucs offense will gain confidence.
In so many ways, today’s will fall on Jameis. He might be the one guy that can lift the Bucs’ offense out of its funk, and keep it from sinking, assuming he can ditch the turnover bug. The odds of the running game winning it for the Bucs are pretty slim — even if Logan Mankins’ groin allows him to play.
October 11th, 2015 at 1:57 am
Paul Posluszny get ready. Doug Martin is going to tear you guys up. The Jaguars are 4th in rushing yards per game allowed at 83. They have given up 4 rushing TD this season. Points per game 26.8 Jags, 29.2 Bucs. Doug Martin is currently ranked number one RB by Pro Football Focus. His (+7.4) overall score includes run, pass, pass blocking, run blocking, yards per carry at 4.3, total yards rushing at 284, MT (missed or broken tackles) at 13 and penalties. The two stats Martin has shown most improvement are MT and blocking. Martin had 11 MT all of last year. Martin is rated #2 in pass block efficiency (27.6). The Jags pass defense is giving up 278 yards a game which should open it up for Winston.
October 11th, 2015 at 2:06 am
If I’d ponied up money for PFF, I’d be amped to use it, too.
October 11th, 2015 at 6:19 am
Both teams have the same record but the Jags have played more consistent football, except for the Week 3 NE game (Brady picked them apart … 33-for-42 for 358 yds and 0 turnovers, with Gronk having a big game).
Winston needs to play an error-free game for the Bucs to win today. We’re simply not good enough as a team to dig out from him gifting our opponents points and/or great field position. If he can’t do that, Bucs need to give Mike Glennon a shot at leading the team while ‘QB of the Future’ gets his head on straight.
October 11th, 2015 at 8:24 am
We have seen that if we can get Martin to the outside more often, he can get the yards. Enough of all the up the middle…
And, I agree, Jameis needs to hrow some screens and short passes early….let him play-action on first down.
October 11th, 2015 at 8:59 am
It’s odd how the Bucs and Jags are always near the bottom of the NFL ladder when the seasons are played out. Something special about this state.
October 11th, 2015 at 9:16 am
@tampabaybucfan
I agree that maybe some more plays that might get to to outside could help a lot. People also said Martin wasn’t gonna have a good game last week against Carolina.
I was all for drafting Winston but as of right now I don’t think they can lean on him to much for a W today.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:04 am
If the Jags can shut down the run and force the Bucs to pass, that’s a bad sign because Jameis is a turnover machine.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:57 am
@William Walls Says – If a whopping $4.99 a month is considered ponied up, I will pony up all day long for the information available for the sport I love.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:20 am
Jags are Just a better team. We’re in trouble again!