It’s Washington In Round 1
January 4th, 2021
Donovan Smith has a date with Chase Young
The team with no name is also the team with no offense — and the team with a very dangerous defense.
With the Edell Shepard moment still burned into Joe’s brain, Joe is happy to report the Bucs are heading to face Washington in the playoffs on Saturday night at 8:20 p.m.
It’ll be the impotent Alex Smith-led offense against the greatest offense in Buccaneers history.
And Donovan Smith will have to eat his Wheaties to contain the blur that is Washington edge rusher Chase Young, who racks up quarterback pressure like Joe mows down fries at a Big Storm taproom.
Joe is feeling very confident against the seven-win NFC East champs. Alex Smith had two picks and two touchdowns to complement 162 yards passing tonight in Washington’s must-win, playoff-clinching game against woeful Philadelphia. Smith will have to do a hell of a lot better than that on Saturday.
If the Bucs beat Washington, and Seattle takes care of the Rams while the Saints bury the Bears, then the Bucs will head to Green Bay in Round 2 of the playoffs.
If the Bucs win, and the Rams or Bears win, then the Bucs head to the Saints for their third meeting of the season. And, gasp, if the Bucs win and the Rams and Bears win, then the Bucs would host the Rams at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway next.
January 3rd, 2021 at 11:43 pm
Records no longer matter. Neither do reputations or legacies. Gear up and go.
January 3rd, 2021 at 11:44 pm
young and sweat…geez
January 3rd, 2021 at 11:51 pm
Why am I extremely nervous?
January 3rd, 2021 at 11:53 pm
Going to destroy Washington…
January 3rd, 2021 at 11:54 pm
Betting lines have Bucs as 7.5 pt favorites
January 3rd, 2021 at 11:57 pm
Will be a good matchup there DLine is pretty good but as long as Smith and Wirfs hold up it will be good. Plus let’s not forget next week we will get Shaq and Carlton Davis back on defense so we should be able to put the heat on Alex Smith pretty good. So even if we’re down Mike Evans and Devin White we should be good still. The main thing is run the ball Ronald Jones should get 20-25 carries in this game.
January 3rd, 2021 at 11:58 pm
Is there a problem calling the place where the Bucs play by its proper name now that the home record turned positive?
Raymond James Stadium.
Is there a beef with Raymond James?
January 4th, 2021 at 12:00 am
We need a good game plan this week. WFT has a great front 4 and we have an immobile QB. I hope the run game and bubble screen game will work.
January 4th, 2021 at 12:00 am
NFL is a game of Matchups. This game comes down to D Smith not getting embarrassed. Time to scheme BA BL and let Brady “Matriculate” the ball down the field. Just let Brady dink and dunk and throw daggers. GO BUCS!!!
January 4th, 2021 at 12:02 am
BTW Joe time to add to Bradys moniker “Den of Depression Moniker slayer” GO BUCS!!!
January 4th, 2021 at 12:03 am
The last two teams that went into the playoffs with a losing record, won in the wild card round. Anyone dismissing the Redskins is someone who doesn’t know history and doesn’t understand how these things work.
The game is almost certainly going to be a sloppy mess against the type of defense that gives the Bucs offense fits. Meanwhile I don’t know why anyone would think our defense can stop anyone – in particular if Bowles goes into a shell once again and just sits back in a soft zone and lets Alex Smith pick the defense apart like he’s Drew Brees.
I do think the Bucs will win, but it’s going to be close and frustrating I fear. Still, the Bucs have to win these games, but this was by far the worst matchup of the three NFC East teams we’d have to play.
January 4th, 2021 at 12:03 am
Swamp, the name of the game here on this blog seems to be irreverence. Calling things by their proper names just isn’t irreverent enough. Hence the endless monikers.
January 4th, 2021 at 12:05 am
If bears win they won’t be playing the saints. Saints will be eliminated. Go Bucs!
January 4th, 2021 at 12:08 am
It’s been awhile , since we go past week 17.
D. Smith must get ready. And that nasty middle blitz redskins have.
January 4th, 2021 at 12:09 am
We win 40-17. With respect to the redskins
January 4th, 2021 at 12:11 am
Why not Brady for MVP ?
Henry for mvp ?
Rodgers and Russell Wilson overrated along with mohomes?
January 4th, 2021 at 12:12 am
I agree with Rod Munch. Washington was the worst matchup for us of any NFC East Team.
January 4th, 2021 at 12:23 am
Came in here to post what Rod said about playoff teams with losing records… they’ve won their first game every time in the last.
We can definitely beat Washington, but this game will come down to the play of our o-line. Simple as that.
January 4th, 2021 at 12:24 am
*in the past.
January 4th, 2021 at 12:36 am
Well the Bucs will either “Man Up” or they will not. I do not care if it is the Toledo Mudhens or the 85 Bears Defense. Glad we are actually talking about a relevant Bucs Team in Jan that still has a shot at playing for a title “IF” they protect Brady. Again time to “Man Up” and earn those paychecks. GO BUCS!!!!!
January 4th, 2021 at 12:43 am
This is NOT a great matchup for us—the playing surface at FedEx is notoriously lousy, the weather could be lousy too, their front 4 might just be the best in football and while Smith is playing on one leg, he’s strangely efficient and can diagnose defenses very well. Plus there’s ‘Riverboat’…they are playing very hard for him. Theirs is hot team on the rise that feeds off of middle pressure from the outstanding pair of Bama DTs and a fantastic combination of Sweat and Young outside. We will have to do some real coaching and game planning to counter their strengths…76, 74, 66, 65 and 78 are the keys to the game.
January 4th, 2021 at 12:48 am
Tom Brady….Alex Smith. Y’all are overthinking this. The Bucs are locked in
January 4th, 2021 at 1:10 am
that is a lot of projection Joe! we should take it maybe one game at a time. I like our chances.
January 4th, 2021 at 1:30 am
Did anyome actually watch the washington philly game??? The eagles had to TANK in order to lose that game. Washington looked like a 7-9 team. Tampa has looked every bit of an 11-5 team since the bye and they are clicking. Yes our d is not elite. You know what fixes an average d? Playing against a below average o. Who actually scares you from washingtons offense? They have only scored over 28 points 1 time, and that was against dallas… in order to win you still have to score points.
January 4th, 2021 at 1:36 am
I’d imagine that Chase Young and Montez Sweat will appear in many Bucs fans dreams this week. Oh boy.
January 4th, 2021 at 1:49 am
@ joe, why do you now call it the stadium. Can we have some reference
January 4th, 2021 at 1:55 am
Page down. An entire story details why.
January 4th, 2021 at 1:58 am
If that outfit wants non-stop, year-round cost-free advertising from Joe, the least they could do is give Joe some stock options. The only reason that stadium uses that name is that outfit cut a check to Team Glazer. Joe’s a capitalist too.
January 4th, 2021 at 2:07 am
Just park an extra lineman or RB next to Smith all game. We won’t be able to survive with just the normal Bucs line. TB12 needs time to throw. Max protect.
January 4th, 2021 at 2:59 am
Lol Joe.
January 4th, 2021 at 3:09 am
Interesting how, other than the ‘Skinless team in Washington, the Bucs have played every other NFC playoff team during the regular season. And yes, they all have first-hand tape on the Bucs too, but none have tape with the Bucs offense functioning as well as it is right now against their defenses. The offense has peaked at just the right time.
This should be fun, Go BUCS!
January 4th, 2021 at 3:39 am
Joe, just call it Houlihan’s Stadium.
January 4th, 2021 at 4:11 am
It’s the time of the year when matchups are overrated.
It’s ONE game at a time and that’s not just coach speak.
Its a cliché, but if you want to be the best you have to beat the best!
One thing BA frequently says that I love. People ask him about preparations for other teams and matchups and he always says I’m more concerned about MY team than the other team. Are we ready to play or not. Do we have our spit together.
I like the Buc’s chances. It’s the playoffs and they have enough talent to beat any other team in the field. Other teams can say the same thing. If we bring our A game we’re golden until we hit KC or NO. Then we’ll need our A+ game.
I think all teams need to bring at minimum their A game except perhaps for KC with Mahomes. They can get by perhaps with a B+ game. The saying “on any given Sunday” did not arise without reason.
So while I certainly accept Rod and other’s handicapping and Washington can certainly beat us if the Bucs don’t bring their A game and Washington does, I don’t bother to worry about handicapping anymore. Just show up and win..
I like BA and Brady’s chances of getting the team to bring their A game.
January 4th, 2021 at 4:54 am
For the O line it still comes to down to whooping the D Lineman across the line from you. I guess we will see how many different ways they are going to help D Smith, with the chipping and doubling. Because they can’t afford to let the season come down to D Smith trying to handle Chase Young by himself. We know Wirfs will handle his business against Sweat. GO BUCS!!!
January 4th, 2021 at 6:02 am
It’s the playoffs. Records do NOT matter. This is where good teams separate themselves.
How do you feel about Tom Brady in the playoffs?
I like our chances!
January 4th, 2021 at 6:52 am
Forecast is 28 Degrees and 10 Mph wind. Pound the rock to ROJO , ROJO is averaging over 5 Yards per , give him 25 or more carries. Winning in the playoffs requires you to have a running game and a defense , Bucs need to utilize both to the maximum. Defense will get turnovers , but the flip side is do not commit turnovers.
Bucs 27 – Football Team 17 & our D scores.
January 4th, 2021 at 6:54 am
Alex Smith is the exact type of QB that makes me nervous. He’s a crafty vet, takes what the defense gives, can buy time and there’s not a ton of film on him in this system. This game could be like Chicago all over again….low scoring dog fight.
January 4th, 2021 at 7:16 am
Alex smith cant throw over 30 yards
But they were running a lot of slants which is our weakness
He can run screens which is out weakness
Well most passes against our defense completely confuse our dbs
Just hoping our oline can give brady some time cause washington dline is sick. Four first round draft picks.
Should be tough game
January 4th, 2021 at 7:27 am
Looking PAST Washington, I’ve heard a million times in the last month “the Bucs have only beat ONE team with a winning record”
Guess who THAT was
January 4th, 2021 at 7:33 am
I think unless there is a blizzard or a rain event the Bucs have enough veterans: Brady, Brown, McCoy, Gronk who have all played for east coast teams. I don’t think the weather will affect Brady’s intermediate passing game. If Evans doesn’t go, then Brown and Godwin become Brady’s targets. Those 2 guys are actually much better after the catch than Mike is, so we’ll see, if Brady has time and the keeps getting the ball out quickly, the Bucs will put up 30 points. The scary part is the tackling of the Bucs. I watched tape of the Redskins and its the same short passing stuff that you have to tackle the receiver 6/7 yards downfield. Those are the type of plays that the Bucs have trouble making those tackle.
January 4th, 2021 at 7:38 am
There is a reason why the WFT is 7-9……we do need to be concerned with their defense…..but they need to be concerned about our offense….
If we have a weakness, it’s our pass defense…..and I like it against the WFT…..
Rojo with some dink & dunk……
January 4th, 2021 at 7:41 am
Two points, Peterson threw that game last night, a real A-hole move to get 6 pick in draft. Belichick did not so they lost 10th pick. This is a blatant shot at the ethics of the game. 2nd Brady has played 20 years in bad weather he actually excels in it so no worries there. If o-line does its job and Bowles does something to mix it up, PLEASE this should be a W. Smith does scare me he has beat Brady in the past but never in PO. In the Goat we trust!
January 4th, 2021 at 8:00 am
Bobby M. you really nailed it. I said yesterday that I hoped we didn’t face Alex Smith. I mean COME ON MAN!!!!! Fans how many times do you have to watch our soft zone get its ^%# kicked? Thats a rhetorical question. Ryan 2 times and Brees 2 times. The corners are playing 10 yds from the line and then they wait for the runner to get to them. For a half-ass QB thats like fishing in a barrel. On the very few times we stopped them it wasn’t because our corners did anything great, it was because they stopped themselves. I’ve said it several times. On game day, take Todd Bowles and lock him in a motel 6 in Montana. They’ll even leave a light on for him. Todd, Brady can’t keep covering for you. Thats a disaster waiting to happen
January 4th, 2021 at 8:07 am
come on TODD how hard is it going to be to stop that frickn soft zone AND double that pro bowl d-lineman? Maybe even keep a back or Gronk in to help keep Brady standing up. IF YOU DON’T, WE LOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That lineman is going to beat you but you have to at least minimize their strength. Woops their strength is our weakness. If I was Alex Smith, I would be licking my chops at the thought of facing our coverage
January 4th, 2021 at 8:31 am
Giants would’ve been the tougher matchup. WFT has a weak offense and a weak secondary. Unless we have a total O line meltdown this is a win.
January 4th, 2021 at 8:41 am
Listnfrmafar: Teams do what’s in their best interests. Why wouldn’t they? It cracks me up that NY Giants are upset they didn’t make the playoffs. They were 6-10. SIX AND TEN, and crying about not making the playoffs. You can’t make this stuff up.
January 4th, 2021 at 8:45 am
One game at a time. Gotta get our pass protection worked out. Two tight end sets and running back to pick up blitzes. Their front 4 is no joke!
January 4th, 2021 at 8:53 am
didnt want to face WASH….their front4 is nasty….
young and sweat scare me….lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
January 4th, 2021 at 9:28 am
The best way to neutralize a pass rush is to run the ball. It doesn’t even have to be for a lot of yards, it’s just the attempts to keep Washington’s DL honest. In addition, quick passes will also help.
January 4th, 2021 at 9:29 am
We can win this game I’m not worried about Washington . Washington offense suck . So we will be ok all we have to do is run the ball and work off the play action pass . It’s the next team we will have to play will prove who we are as a team .
January 4th, 2021 at 9:42 am
Donovan has a date with Chase?
[Be nice! — Joe]
January 4th, 2021 at 10:01 am
That’s like telling Donovan to be a good player Joe!
😀
January 4th, 2021 at 10:08 am
The Bucs have more talent and SHOULD win. If Ron outcoaches BA badly enough to win this, then goodbye to the whole staff.
January 4th, 2021 at 10:10 am
Is Ron Rivera Washington’s coach? Bucs have played against his teams for years when he was at Carolina. Wonder if TB/BA will dig out some old video of those games, too. Going to be interesting for sure.
January 4th, 2021 at 10:12 am
Its time for the real Donovan Smith to stand up.
January 4th, 2021 at 10:31 am
Agree totally!
January 4th, 2021 at 11:04 am
Bucs are very well equipped to play a 2 TE set.
That is a max protection alignment.
Can their defense cover Godwin and Brown?
No.
Plus Gronk and Brate can chip, then leak out.
Also uncoverable by the Washington defense.
2 TEs is how you stop a great pass rush. And we have 4 great TEs.
January 4th, 2021 at 12:53 pm
Capt. Tim 👍🏻
January 4th, 2021 at 3:47 pm
@Joe — thanks for the clarification on The Stadium on Dale Mabry. I now understand. “New Sombrero” sounds better though.
January 4th, 2021 at 3:50 pm
Swamp:
Prefer not to gloss over anything that slob Chris Berman came up with.
January 4th, 2021 at 7:20 pm
@Joe LOL I get it.
Maybe you could have a contest from your readers to come up with an inspiring name for the place given the fireworks the team playing in it now makes?
“The Stadium on Dale Mabry” could be misconstrued as a “dance club!”