The Buccaneers face a 7-2-1 Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, and after overcoming all odds in a huge win in Arrowhead, Tampa looks to again overcome the odds at home. The Seahawks defense again has experts coining the phrase, “One of the toughest tests of Jameis Winston’s career.” But we’ve heard that before haven’t we Bucs fans? Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor are certainly no slouches, they are ballhawks, but certainly not unbeatable.
The Seahawks defense will be without Michael Bennett, on Sunday, but they still have tough interior defensive players who are good at getting pressure on opposing offenses, especially the QB. The Bucs offensive line will have a tough task in keeping Cliff Avril and Bobby Wagner at bay. It will be a tough task, but also not out of the realm of possibility.
The Buccaneers offensive line has had their fair share of issues this season, but have come through in a pinch. I like for them to continue doing so. Having Kevin Pamphile returning certainly reinforces our offensive line. The Seattle defense is beaten up, but they are by no means just going to lay down against the Tampa offense. Mike Evans will draw most of the eyes of the Seahawks secondary, on Sunday, but the Seahawks are not one dimensional, so Jameis will have to be on his P’s and Q’s.
The Seahawks run defense is suspect, and with Doug Martin getting back into the groove along with the return of Jacquizz Rodgers and Payton Barber being the bruiser that he is, the Bucs should have a great day on the ground.
Seattle’s running back Thomas Rawls is not necessarily a running back to fear, however, he is capable back. Rawls strong running could pose difficulties for Tampa’s defense, who has given up more than a few yards on the ground. But Seattle is limited to who they have at running back. Between Rawls and rookie running back Alex Collins, they are the only relief from the pressure that Russell Wilson will be under, especially if the passing game begins to waiver. They will have to step up against a reinvigorated Tampa defense.
Doug Baldwin is a serious threat for the Bucs secondary and if he has a great game, it will be a long game. Tyler Lockett will compliment the threat that Baldwin brings to the table, but if the Bucs secondary can maintain tight coverage and avoid giving up the long pass, the damage that can be caused by these two receivers should be minimal. Jimmy Graham is a problem. Tampa has not done well against a solid tight end and Graham is more than solid. Tampa’s defense will need to overcome their problem in allowing tight ends to ball them up or we can forget keeping the Seahawks out of the end zone.
When this game is said and done it will prove one thing. Someone is overrated. I think that assessment will be handed to the Seahawks. I also do not think that the Seahawks will be Jameis Winson’s biggest test, I believe that is yet to come. However, this will be no cakewalk for either team. I expect, as long as the Bucs continue to convert on third down and keep penalties to a minimum, that Tampa will keep these a close game, ultimately winning the contest. It will be a close one. The Experts are calling this one a shit storm for Tampa and believes that the Bucs will not score over 17 total points while giving up 27-30. I, however, believe that Tampa hangs in there and continues their win streak. I like Tampa to win this one by the score of 24-21 and head into San Diego with an above .500 record for the first time since 2012.
