Talk about a game with escalating stakes! Both the Bucs and Seahawks sit at 3-1 after the first four weeks. The Seahawks are fighting to keep pace in the tough NFC West, while the Bucs are looking to halt any potential losing streak before it begins. With challenging matchups against the 49ers and Lions looming, this might be their best chance to secure a win. Here’s what each team needs to do to come out on top.
BUCS WIN IF…
Bucs on Offense:
I hope the Bucs were glued to the screen watching Thursday night’s Rams vs. 49ers showdown—two brilliant offensive minds (McVay and Shanahan) going head-to-head. Their offensive styles have many similarities to ours, especially with Liam Coen’s influence from his time with McVay. Bucs OC Josh Grizzard learned under Coen last year, and I’m hoping to see him take some risks and spread the ball around like we saw in that game. Despite injuries, the 49ers found ways to succeed by letting Mac Jones throw early and designing quick-release pass plays.
The Seahawks boast one of the top three run defenses in the NFL and can pressure the quarterback effectively on third downs. This means if we stubbornly run the ball on first downs without success, we’ll likely find ourselves in long third-down situations, making for a tough day in Seattle. Grizzard can help manage these scenarios. I want to see a variety of screens—get Rachaad White and Sean Tucker involved in the open field with linemen in front of them. Quickly get the ball to Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Tez Johnson outside and let them make plays in space. And how about bringing back the delayed screen to the tight end? Move the ball around and then take your shots downfield while allowing White and Tucker to find their rhythm as the game progresses. Most importantly… START FAST!
Bucs on Defense:
This could be the game where we rack up multiple sacks—and yes, maybe even multiple interceptions. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold isn’t afraid to throw the ball downfield, and he connects on a lot of those attempts. But in the NFL, the longer the ball is in the air, the more opportunities our athletes have to make a play. We have some guys who can capitalize on that.
The Seahawks have struggled with consistency in their running game this season. I’m hoping the Bucs can generate pressure with their front four during passing situations on third downs. Vita Vea should have some advantageous matchups that he can exploit on the inside. Let’s build on the defensive success from the second half against the Eagles. And don’t forget… START FAST!
SEAHAWKS WIN IF…
Seahawks on Offense:
Given the Seahawks' struggles with the run game this year and the strength of the Bucs’ run defense, it wouldn’t be wise for Seattle to try establishing the run early. Instead, they should replicate the Eagles’ strategy from last week. The Bucs don’t always match personnel on defense, especially on first down. The Eagles took advantage of this by spreading the field and hitting Saquon Barkley with a pass out of the backfield on their first play for a first down. Seattle should exploit our stubbornness by throwing the ball on first down until the Bucs adjust. If the Seahawks can do this, they have a good chance of scoring early, especially since the Bucs haven’t kept points off the board on their first defensive drive all season.
Seahawks on Defense:
The Seahawks’ defense is impressive and often underrated. They fly around the field, and if they can slow the Bucs down early and build a lead, the Bucs’ offense may struggle. This is not a defense you want to face while playing from behind.
FINAL WORD:
The Bucs are banged up and will be missing some key starters, but in the NFL, injuries are part of the game. This will be a tough matchup even if we were at full strength. Seattle is solid in all aspects and could take advantage of our special teams issues. Still, I believe the Bucs have a shot—especially if they can come up with an interception or two.
Prediction: Bucs win 27-23.
Pressure on Darnold. Godwin showing up. Line protects Baker. Baker protects the ball.
Here's the hard reality of Godwin. He's coming off a major injury and also at 29/30 he's at the "age cliff" for wide receivers. That's not just 2+2, that's 2 squared! That doesn't mean he's can't play at all, but I wouldn't expect him to return to the same production that he had in his peak years. Guys like Evans and Davante Adams are the exception, not the rule. If Godwin can get back to the Godwin of old then that will be a testament to his amazing dedication, but if he doesn't that's no knock on him.
Its a young man's game. Licht needs to keep up the good drafting because the NFL league is a meat grinder.
And yes I'm just testing to see if any of you meatheads know any math at all.
I think CG will be better this week, getting back into game speed, conditioning is getting better, Egbuka is going to be the target for Seattle’s defense, that opens up a really smart WR2.
I think Shep will be solid, but Tez may be getting enough of the offense by now to become more trustworthy as an X factor. He was moving on a couple plays last week, and Baker wasn’t even considering him, because he hadn’t earned it - but last weeks tape won’t lie. I’m expecting a couple legit Tez shots this week (and we NEED a decent option).
Our defensive secondary/ILB’s scare me, expect some more rush packages (late).
Tez played 32% of the snaps and got one target. What was he in there for? Sure if Ko Kieft gets one target that's understandable, but if Tez is in there and not being used at all then what are they doing? You can't even be a good decoy if you don't get targetted at least occasionally. Griz has to dial up a couple plays for him, or Baker has to get some glasses so he can find the little guy. Something. What is the thought process when Griz runs him out onto the field and doesn't dial up any plays for him?Tez may be getting enough of the offense by now to become more trustworthy as an X factor.
What is the thought process when Griz runs him out onto the field and doesn't dial up any plays for him?
not sure being targeted once equals "didn't dial up any plays," but look forward to seeing what he does this week
An article a week or so ago caught my eye that explained why Tez hasn’t been getting noticed, it’s because he hadn’t caught up to the playbook/concepts. Pro QB’s don’t trust rookies for a reason, and getting rid of the ball in an average 2.68 seconds means you’re looking for specific reads of guys Baker knows have earned his notice in those reads - sure Baker forced some balls to Chris - but the trust there is a given and Bake seems to be trying to get CG back into quickly. Those targets came at the expense of Tez’s targets.Tez played 32% of the snaps and got one target. What was he in there for? Sure if Ko Kieft gets one target that's understandable, but if Tez is in there and not being used at all then what are they doing? You can't even be a good decoy if you don't get targetted at least occasionally. Griz has to dial up a couple plays for him, or Baker has to get some glasses so he can find the little guy. Something. What is the thought process when Griz runs him out onto the field and doesn't dial up any plays for him?Tez may be getting enough of the offense by now to become more trustworthy as an X factor.
Just saying that I feel Baker has been seeing the tape from last week and may try him on some early targets.
Lets just call it a feeling.
Of course if you only put a player in when he's going to get the ball then the defense will be on red alert. But one target out of 23 plays makes no sense given that he's a liability as a blocker. If Griz is putting in there for a third of the snaps he has to have more than one target in mind. So perhaps Baker doesn't have the rapport built yet but in that case why is he in the game?What is the thought process when Griz runs him out onto the field and doesn't dial up any plays for him?
not sure being targeted once equals "didn't dial up any plays," but look forward to seeing what he does this week
It does feel like Tez is a hope for our coaching staff. He endeared himself to the team and coaching staff through his relationship with Bucky, his mentor in Mike “Tez is my guy!” I realize he is young but, we had Trey Palmer who is a third year guy, who has plenty of speed. Not sure why we didn’t see him through a little bit. I hope I am wrong but Tez seems to be a long term WR project.
Tez played 32% of the snaps and got one target. What was he in there for?
AJ Brown played 97% of the snaps against Dallas and got one target.
What was he in there for?
Good question. But Brown is 226 pounds and Johnson is 154 pounds. So he can't be utilized for blocking. If you're going to put him in there you need to use him enough to make the defense a little worried about him. Maybe they were and maybe they just covered him all the time. I don't know I didn't watch the film.Tez played 32% of the snaps and got one target. What was he in there for?
AJ Brown played 97% of the snaps against Dallas and got one target.
What was he in there for?
So perhaps Baker doesn't have the rapport built yet but in that case why is he in the game?
entirely possible.
WT referenced the article about him just picking up the offense. I also saw an article (maybe same one) that described him as the deep threat. He's not a burner though so I see him as more of a YAC guy BUT if he's coming in as the deep threat he may be running a lot of stretch routes? Not sure because haven't focused on him
Like I said, I look forward to seeing how it goes from here
If you're going to put him in there you need to use him enough to make the defense a little worried about him. Maybe they were and maybe they just covered him all the time. I don't know I didn't watch the film.
As usual, this checks out.
Good question.Tez played 32% of the snaps and got one target. What was he in there for?
AJ Brown played 97% of the snaps against Dallas and got one target.
What was he in there for?
LOL, well . . . I am pretty sure ZERO defenses are gaming planning Tez whereas Eberflus basically took both Eagles receivers out with 100% zone coverage. Brown was even bracketed. If you look at the stats you'll see the Eagles TE and RBs catching all the check downs.
