Sunday • 1 p.m. • TV » FOX • Radio » 92.7 & 94.3 FM/730 & 980 AM/Sirius 127
KEYS TO VICTORY
1. Exploit the line » Tampa Bay’s offensive line has been hit hard by injuries, more so than anything Washington has faced this season. The Bucs have had to endure major shuffling along the front. It’s one thing when an experienced group like the New York Giants goes through such a change; they have depth. The Bucs now are starting two rookie guards, have another guard playing center and just benched their right tackle. Their top two linemen, guard Davin Joseph and center Jeff Faine, are out.
2. Test the secondary » Second-year corner E.J. Biggers takes over for injured Aqib Talib, who usually covered the opposition’s best receiver. The Bucs were touting Talib for a Pro Bowl spot, so his loss is a big one. Also, rookie safety Cody Grimm, son of ex-Hog Russ, is out for the year, which hurts the run support. The Bucs still have Ronde Barber at corner and they will play zone, but there are holes in the secondary.
3. Run the ball » Tampa Bay is 26th vs. the run, but the Bucs have actually improved in this area over the past several weeks as tackles Gerald McCoy and Roy Miller have started to mesh inside. Still, this is a weakness and the Redskins should be able to grind out 3.5 yards per carry or so; that would be enough to set up the play-action and bootlegs. With Ryan Torain back and James Davis intriguing, the Redskins should have a better rushing attack.
KEY MATCHUPS
| Redskins | Buccaneers | |
|
LB Brian Orakpo » With 8 ½ sacks, needs a big game to bolster his case for another Pro Bowl. |
vs. | LT Donald Penn » The former undrafted free agent is an underrated tackle and is getting Pro Bowl chatter. |
| LB London Fletcher » If the line can help him out for a change, Fletcher could have a big day. | vs. | RB LeGarrette Blount » Rookie has gained 569 yards in his last seven games. Tough runner, but struggles in short yardage. |
| RG Will Montgomery » Has been moved back by opponents, but it doesn’t always get him in trouble. | vs. | DT Gerald McCoy » He moves around the line. McCoy has three sacks and 17 quarterback pressures. |
STATE OF THE TEAMS
BUCCANEERS » Tampa Bay has dropped two straight and is banged up. Are the Bucs entering a late-season swoon? Or can they recover in time to continue a playoff push? Tampa needs a win to truly stay alive.
REDSKINS » Washington knows it won’t make the playoffs — again — but the Redskins insist they’re not about to quit on the season. Considering the changes that will take place in the offseason, plenty of incentive remains.
EXAMINER PREDICTS …
Tampa Bay is a tough team and has feasted on mediocre and bad teams this season. But injuries will catch up to the Bucs Sunday at FedEx Field.
Redskins 14, Buccaneers 10
