The Bucs boast the best run defense in the NFL, holding opponents to an average of 47.3 yards per game on the ground, but the pass defense is another story. Last Sunday in a 16-10 loss in Dallas, Michael Bennett and Gerald McCoy were able to sack Tony Romo four times, forcing four fumbles and need to the momentum to continue against the league's top scoring defense and its super-athletic QB Robert Griffin III. Offensively, Tampa Bay needs to get the air game going against a passing defense ranked 31st, one step higher than the Bucs.

The Bucs will be without last year’s sack leader Adrian Clayborn Sunday, and in his place will be Daniel Te’o-Nesheim. In college, Te’o-Nesheim set a Washington record with 30 careers sacks and was selected in the third round of the 2010 draft by Philadelphia. After spending his rookie season sidelined with a shoulder injury, Te’o-Nesheim was released the following year during final roster cuts and was signed to the Eagles’ practice squad. The Bucs signed him in November after needing to add depth on the defensive line. Te’o Nesheim is a solid pass rusher and filled in sufficiently when Clayborn went down in Dallas last week.

Te’o-Nesheim may catch a break as Redskins left tackle Trent Williams is listed as questionable following a knee injury sustained last week that has limited him in practice all week. Bad news – Robert Griffin III is a stellar athlete and has the ability to move quickly out of the pocket.

Against Cincinnati Griffin was sacked six times, but expect head coach Mike Shanahan to make the proper adjustments in an attempt to not have that happen against a Bucs front four that sacked Tony Romo four times, forcing two fumbles.

Getting to Griffin will be no small task. The electrifying quarterback will be as Bucs’ head coach Greg Schiano said this week will be one of the five fastest players on the field Sunday. The Bucs’ D-Line will need to match the intensity and they are all up to the challenge.

Josh Freeman was expected to have a big year and so far it just hasn’t happened. Part of this is play-calling, which hasn’t allowed Freeman to move much out of the pocket or throw downfield as much as he is able. Freeman’s skillset gives him the ability to extend plays with his legs and not be primarily a pocket passer like the Mannings or Tom Brady. Freeman isn’t exactly quick enough to be an RG3-type QB either, but he can throw on the run like Tony Romo does.

The Bucs have a “play ball-secure football” mentality which hasn’t allowed much to the imagination and at times has been safe and predictable. This week, offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan and Freeman both eluded that the Bucs haven’t exactly unleashed their entire playbook. Against the 31st ranked passing defense, it’s time to show more than they have. Of course, a lot of the execution depends on the next key.

In the first three games of the season, the Bucs receivers have caught 41 passes out of 79 targets. That includes running backs, full backs, and tight ends. Not all of the throws have been catchable, but many have been.

Vincent Jackson was considered the premier wide receiver of free agency, and when the Bucs landed him for five years, $55.5+ it was widely assumed that the passing game would immediately become Tampa Bay’s strong suit. Unfortunately, Jackson hasn’t lived up to his pre-signing billing or shown he is the Pro Bowl receiver he was in San Diego, catching 10 out of a possible 27 passes in three games.

There is always a learning curve and chemistry needs to build between a QB and WR, but both Freeman and Jackson have said on numerous occasions they began spending time together both on and off the field as soon as Jackson arrived in Tampa.

Again, this may not be all on Jackson or Freeman. Many factors come into play, like coverage and protection, but if the ball hits your hands, catch it. It’s simple, fundamentally sound, ball-secure football. Isn’t that what this offense is all about?

Arrelious Benn came back from a knee injury he suffered on the first day of training camp in a collision with CB E.J. Biggers, and was immediately inserted into the role of kick returner.

Against the Giants, Benn returned seven kickoffs for 180 yards, an average of 25.7 yards per return. Last week in Dallas, Benn returned one for 15 yards, while kneeling in the end zone three times on touchbacks.

Benn is probably not going to take off out of the end zone, so expect more of the same if Billy Cundiff kicks any touchbacks. But what about Benn’s role in the offense?

The Bucs’ second round draft pick in 2010 sat out the Carolina game and only handled kick returns in New York. Dallas was the first time he was used on offense and caught the only pass thrown at him for an eight yard gain. With the release of Preston Parker, Benn has been implemented as the slot receiver, a role that should fit his ability to get open across the middle quickly off the snap; but he could also be used as a possession receiver on third downs given his size (6-2, 218 pounds).

The Bucs had high hopes when they drafted the third-year receiver out of Illinois where he was used in several different facets, and it’s time they collect on his versatility. 

It’s not a stretch to think the Bucs could be 3-0 heading into Sunday. The biggest reason they are fighting to get back to an even record is not everything has clicked together.

Schiano has admitted that certain phases have played well at times, but all three have yet to click. The head coach also stated that there is a sense of urgency this week.

Field position needs to be established on special teams – both for the Bucs offense by the return game and by pushing the opposing team back as far as possible. The Bucs rank last in the league in punt returns (4.3 average per return), 22nd in kick returns (22.3 yards per return), and Michael Koenen is 28th among NFL punters with an average of 42.5 yards per punt. With the emphasis Schiano and his staff has placed on special teams and the carousel of punt returners brought in and out so far this season, the Bucs should be at the top of the league. The two bright spots on special teams have been the solid tackling and fantastic kicking of Connor Barth. In a way, the special teams need to come together within their own phase.

The defense is inconsistent as well, ranked at the top of the NFL in rushing defense holding offenses to 47.3 yards per game and 2.3 yards per carry. However, when it comes to passing defense it’s a different story. Tampa Bay is at the bottom of the league rankings with 353 yards allowed in the air per game, but tied with three other teams for second-most interceptions with six. What that means is the Bucs are getting beat on some big plays, while making some big ones of their own. If the defense can put a halt to the opposition’s big plays, this defense could really strike some fear into offensive coordinators’ playbooks.

We’ve talked about the offensive woes ad nausea this week, so it doesn’t need repeating. Play-calling, allowing Freeman to extend plays, and receiving have got to come together, and facing the ninth-ranked defense against the run and 31st in passing, this is the week to do it.

LeBlanc's Prediction: 24-21 Buccaneers

Cook's Prediction: 26-17 Buccaneers
Reynolds Prediction: 27-20 Buccaneers