Oftentimes football comes down to the game within the game. The matchups between individuals or specific units can really be what makes or breaks a game plan for a team. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are no exception with this.
This week they play host to the Washington Commanders in the season opener. It’s a team that is revamped this year after finishing last season with the second worst record in the NFL. There is a new coach in town and well as a rookie quarterback coming fresh off a Heisman Trophy winning season.
However, it’s a pair of veterans who I’ll be focusing on here. Two guys who have made a career in Washington and who have the ability to derail the Bucs week one celebration plans. X marks the spot with my week one X-Factor matchup!
Battle of Interior Lines
Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen are perhaps the best defensive tackle duo in the NFL. They bring both strength as run defenders and the ability to slice into the backfield as a pass rusher. It will be a truly formidable test for a revamped Buccaneers interior offensive line.
No player should expect a greater challenge than rookie center Graham Barton. Although he has looked good in the preseason, the regular season will bring both a higher level of competition and a more intense environment. This is not a game you’d want to ease a rookie into, it’s more so throwing him in the deep end to see if he can swim.
Fortunately, he will be playing next to new left guard Ben Bredeson. The free agent from the New York Giants started all 16 games last year and was with that franchise for three seasons. This makes him very familiar with Washington (as well as Dallas where head coach Dan Quinn had been for the last few years).
It’s important to remember that although Bredeson may be the weak link on the line, he is also the most experienced on the interior. His knowledge should go a long way in helping Barton acclimate to the NFL.
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At the other guard spot is the player who I believe could make the biggest jump for the Bucs this year. Cody Mauch had his fair share of growing pains as a rookie last season. This was expected coming from a school like North Dakota State due to the massive jump in level of competition. Despite this, he began to find his footing, particularly as a run blocker, towards the end of the season.
Now he is ready for his second year and he has added about 15 lbs of muscle to help him get more push at the point of attack. His overall strength was his most obvious issue last year, so that alone should be a big improvement in year two. His progression is one of the biggest storylines that I’m keeping my eye on this year.
So can this ragtag group of young guys and cast offs hold up against a dominating duo like Payne and Allen? Realistically, there will likely be ups and downs. But as long as there are more ups than downs then I think things will be alright.
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It’s important to remember that this Washington team wasn’t very good last year and even though they look improved this roster still has many holes. It would take a heroic effort from Allen and Payne to shut down the Bucs running game and pressure Baker Mayfield. Preventing that is the goal of this unit in their first game.
It doesn’t mean there can’t be mistakes and it doesn’t mean they have to completely neutralize this dynamic duo. As long as this Buccaneers interior plays at an average level in their first game together and eliminates splash plays then that should be good enough for the Bucs to win this game. Of course, that will be easier said than done.
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