The Buccaneers are 3-3 as they head to Cincinnati for a showdown with the Bengals.
There was a lot to like in last weeks win against the Cleveland Browns. First off the improved defense. The allowed 304 yards to the Browns and recorded 5 sacks.
The Bucs were able to cover. We even saw some blitzes in certain situations. The defense made a couple of big stops on the goal line. A much improve effort. Jameis Winston has shaken off the rust and is looking the Jameis Winston of old passing for 365 yards and a couple of TD’s and using his legs to make plays.
It was good to see Ronald Jones contribute. Jones scored his first NFL TD and ran the ball for 30 Yards.
The Bucs defense continues to resemble a mash unit. Kwon Alexander the leader of the defense and play caller is out for the season with a torn ACL. Lavonte David will move inside and will now call the plays for the defense while Adaruis Taylor moves to outside linebacker.
Gerald McCoy and Vinny Curry did not practice this week and most likely miss their 2nd consecutive game.
Newly acquired Carl Nassib played very well in his most extensive playing time of the season as he recorded 2 of the Bucs 5 sacks. Nassib should see a lot of playing time this week again with Curry out.
Jason Pierre-Paul the best player on this defense got dinged up in the win against the Browns but will be ready to go against Cincinnati. JPP has 6 sacks on the season.
The Bengals are also banged up and are trying to get their season back on track after getting embarrassed by KC last week on SNF 45-10.
Here are the list of Bengals that will be out on Sunday: WR John Ross, RB Giovanni Bernard, CB Darqueze Dennard, TE Tyler Kroft, LB Nick Vigil, and C Billy Price is listed as doubtful.
The Bucs will bring the No. 1 offense in the league to Cincy avg. 450/YPG. The Bucs passing attack is also leading the league at 364/YPG.
The Bengals defense is worse than the Bucs believe it or not as they give 429/YPG, 300 against the pass and 125 on the ground.
Here is how the Bucs win this game. Play consistent defense. That means you play with the same intensity in the first quarter as you do in the fourth. Last week the defense
let the Browns back into the game after leading 23-9 at the half. That can’t happen against Cincinnati.
I also need to see Jameis Winston take better care of the football. Make better decisions. He can put up great stats right up there with any other QB in the NFL. He also turns the ball over twice as much as those other QB’s
Winston is in his 4th year in the league. He needs to be improving on his decision making and I am not seeing it. He is still holding the ball too long in certain situations, taking untimely sacks, and trying to force plays which in turn causes an interception or fumble.
Winston has 74 passing TD’s and 66 turnovers in his career so far.
Better defense all game long and Winston eliminating the rookie mistakes and turnovers will help the Bucs win this game 31-21.
This is the first of an important stretch of games for the Bucs as they head to Carolina next week to play the Panthers. Then it is 4 of the next 5 at home.
If the Bucs have any aspirations of post season play, they need to start making that move tomorrow and win a road game against a reeling Bengals team.
