Bucs-Redskins Pulse: A capsule preview of this week’s game
Howard Jones had two of the Bucs’ six sacks during the victory against Blake Bortles and the Jags two weeks ago.By Ira Kaufman | Tribune Staff , Roy Cummings | Tribune StaffPublished: October 24, 2015Here’s a quick look at Sunday’s game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins.**Kickoff: 1 p.m., FedExField, Landover, MarylandTV: Fox, Ch. 13Radio: 620 AM; 95.3 FM; 103.5 FMRecords; Bucs 2-3, Redskins 2-4**THREE KEYS TO VICTORYSTART FASTThe Bucs have been outscored 38-9 in the first quarter, but led 3-0 after 15 minutes in their two victories. Starting fast is always critical, but especially for the Bucs. The ability to stay on schedule with their offensive play calling is crucial to limit putting pressure on rookie quarterback Jameis Winston. The schedule starts with Doug Martin, the NFL’s ninth-leading rusher with 405 yards in five games, so establishing the run will be key. Winston has the ability to make big plays of all sorts and pull his team out of holes, but with a young offensive line that is far more comfortable blocking for the run, the Bucs are best suited to run the ball and set up pass plays with play-action fakes. Even the smallest of leads allows them to stick with a winning formula.TACKLE BETTERThe Bucs might not be the worst tackling team in the NFL, but if you trust ProFootballFocus stat trackers, they are definitely among the worst. Only six teams have missed more tackles than the Bucs, who have missed 50, according to PFF. And all six of those teams have played one more game than Tampa Bay. Not that anyone needs stats to prove Tampa Bay is struggling with one of the game’s most fundamental tasks. In every game, missed tackles allowed their opponents to turn what should have been a short gain into a large one. Now, the same can probably be said of most teams, but it’s not like the Bucs are being forced to miss by running backs or pass catchers making Houdini-like moves. More often than not, they’re in position to make plays, but they’re simply not making them.REDUCE PENALTIESOnly five teams have committed more penalties than the Bucs, who have been called for 48, and all have played one game more than the Bucs. Some penalties are simply unavoidable. But many of the Bucs’ penalities, 20 of the 48, came before the snap, which means they were avoidable. In the Redskins, the Bucs face yet another in a long line of beatable teams, which makes this another in a long line of winnable games. If Tampa Bay is going to get back to playing .500 or better football, it has to reduce the number of self-inflicted wounds it suffers. Penalties are a part of the game, but the fewer the Bucs suffer as a result of their own mistakes, the better off they’re going to be.**FIVE QUESTIONS WITH ...Bucs defensive end Howard JonesQ: Growing up in Woodbridge, Virginia, how special is Sunday’s game at Washington?A: It’s pretty cool. My family is really loving it. I’ve got mom and dad, aunts and uncles and nephews coming out to the stadium. It’ll be their first time seeing me play as a pro, so it’s an exciting time for me.Q: How did you end up at tiny Shepherd University in West Virginia?A: Mostly, it was my grades, but it turned out to be a great school for me. Playing there proved that no matter where you go, if you’re playing well, someone will find you. Looking back, I have no regrets about going there.Q: At 238 pounds, how tired are you of being described as “undersized?”A: I laugh at it now. It definitely puts more of a chip on your shoulder, so you just shrug it off and prove you can play the game. I heard it all the time going into the draft about how I was a tweener between defensive end and outside linebacker. I’ve learned your best answer is to go out there and get the job done.Q: Who is your favorite comedian?A: It was Bernie Mac. I never saw him on a stage, and now he’s gone, but I’ve always appreciated how funny the man was.Q: The speed limit is 70 mph. How fast is Howard Jones going?A: Probably about 69. I’m not going to be in the left lane. I’ll just be chilling, driving Miss Daisy out on the open road.**KEY MATCHUPTampa Bay defensive line vs. Redskins G Brandon ScherffScherff, a rookie first-round draft pick, has struggled, especially as a pass protector. Scherff’s short arms and sub-par strength, things that scouts were concerned with leading up to the draft, allow defenders to get into his body and beat him in the passing game. The result has been a string of quarterback pressures, including seven last week in a loss to the Jets. The Bucs have the defensive linemen to keep that streak going. By mixing up their rushing schemes and creating matchups that pit DT Gerald McCoy, DE Jacquies Smith or DL William Gholston against Scherff, the Bucs could take advantage of two of this rookie’s few weaknesses.**THE VIBEThe bye week came at a perfect time for the Bucs. It allowed rookies such as Winston, LT Donovan Smith, RG Ali Marpet and LB Kwon Alexander to take a much-needed breather. It also allowed key starters such as LG Logan Mankins and CB Johnthan Banks to heal from injuries. The Bucs aren’t 100 percent healthy, but they are as close as any team can be in Week 7. They’re also brimming with confidence after imposing their will offensively in a 38-31 win against the Jaguars two weeks ago. The bye gave Tampa Bay a chance to rectify some problems in the secondary, so the Bucs are in position today to put together one of their most complete games of the season. With a chance to get back to .500 at stake, incentive shouldn’t be a problem, either.**The PicksROY CUMMINGS: Bucs, 23-20Bye week allows Bucs to say bye-bye to their losing record.IRA KAUFMAN: Redskins, 20-16Washington’s dormant ground game comes to life, just in time.
