The “Natural”
December 12th, 2020
Bucs’ problem tomorrow
The Bucs will have to shut down the NFC’s best and most complete running back tomorrow, but Joe’s not too worried about that.
The bigger X-factor for the 6-6 Vikings against the questionable Bucs secondary is rookie receiver Justin Jefferson, who already has busted 1,000 yards this season with four games to play. He’s got 412 yards and 4 touchdowns in last four games.
Joe listened to Vikings two-time Pro Bowl QB Kirk Cousins talk about Jefferson recently on The Pat McAfee Show. “‘Natural’ is the word I’ve used, Cousins said.
Cousins went on to explain that getting separation, tracking the football, running every route smoothly and more all comes easily to Jefferson, who followed two of his brothers as key players at Louisiana State University.
Joe’s intrigued to see who in the Bucs’ secondary will take on the challenge of Jefferson. Likely it will be Carlton Davis. Jamel Dean, who faced Jefferson in college, officially is a doubtful with a groin injury.
Joe just hopes the Bucs’ tackling improves significantly; Jefferson’s yards-after-catch skills are some of the best in the NFL.
December 12th, 2020 at 2:58 pm
One player is not going to cover Jefferson. TB better have plenty of safety help as well. I just hope we don’t fall into a soft zone once again.
Our run defense is still our strength. Cook is beaten up after an enormous amount of carries…he’ll still get his but he won’t beat us.
Jefferson and Cousins are the real threat. I do not wish to play zone but I also do not wish to put a single sacrificial defender on Jefferson. At minimum a safety should be spying him on every play.
December 12th, 2020 at 4:18 pm
Minnesota is gonna throw the ball. They’ve seen the tape.
December 12th, 2020 at 4:57 pm
Our team speed will be a problem for Cook, and our Pass Rush should neutralize the Cousins to Jefferson connection.
We should have no problems tomorrow with Minnesota.
Yes, the Vikings are 6-6 but just barely.
They just barely beat the winless Jaguars, and we are much higher up the food chain.
Tomorrow, we eliminate the Vikings from the playoff hunt.
December 12th, 2020 at 8:52 pm
But our secondary is a great main course.
December 12th, 2020 at 9:04 pm
Starting him with total confidence tomorrow sadly