Early preview for Bucs showdown with Broncos
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an unholy test in their upcoming opponent after losing a game that could have been won. The Superbowl champion Denver Broncos. Denver appears to be at least as good as last year’s version, and that should strike fear into the hearts of the Buccaneers faithful.
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Not that any professional football team should ever go into a game with a doubt in their mind that they will ultimately prevail in any given contest. However, the Buccaneers are still searching for an identity.
As an offense, Tampa Bay will compete with practically anyone in the NFL, and few competent evaluators of this league will argue to the contrary.
Jameis Winston is coming along nicely with eight touchdowns and 929 yards through three games so far in the 2016 campaign. Unfortunately, he has six interceptions to go along with all the “lies, damn lies, and statistics”, that rank Jameis at the sixth overall QB in the league to this point.
He must take better care of the ball. Mike Evans has distinguished himself as a reliable, if not exceptional WR, with both the ability and desire to contribute to the team’s success. While the loss of Doug Martin might affect other teams to a greater degree, the Buccaneers have the good fortune of having a more than adequate backup plan in RB Charles Sims.
This young triumvirate will be expected to carry this organization for years to come. Especially against one of the most prolific defenses in the league.
While Denver’s defense has dominated even well-established offenses, and for all intents and purposes, has carried their franchise, on any given Sunday still applies. Denver has many pieces in place to make another run for the Championship of professional football.
Head coach Gary Kubiak is acknowledged as one of the most innovative offensive minds in the game today and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has given no quarter to a league that had nearly made fishing his permanent vocation.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense will be tested repeatedly. With and inexperienced rotation at DE the DT’s need to get pressure and force their will on Denver’s offensive front. That is not to relieve any responsibility from the young DE’s. But the LB’s of Tampa Bay’s defense have already made a majority of the tackles.
An unfortunate circumstance, because the DB’s, whether because of an anemic pass rush, or lack of drive, skill, tackling ability, don’t seem to be contributing in a commensurate ratio with the rest of the defense.
It will take no less than the Buccaneers best effort for sixty minutes, playing whistle to whistle. Which should go without saying. What can’t go without saying is it will also take a coaching staff with a game plan that gets executed, not to mention some clock management.
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