Week 4- Redskins Bucaneers Preview
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-2) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-2)
When: Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Watch: FOX5
Listen: SportsTalk980 and Sirius XM Radio: 91
Spread: Tampa Bay (-3)
DISCUSS THIS IN OUR REDSKINS FAN FORUM!
The Redskins back on the road again. Washington will be away from home on Sunday for the third time in four September games. Both teams are in desperate need of a win, dropping two straight after winning their openers. While much praise has been heaped upon rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, the Redskins are having trouble outscoring opponents. The Redskins have scored 99 points this season, their best three game output since 2005. Washington has allowed a league high ten touchdown passes and 442 yards per game-more than 337 through the air.
The Redskins will continue to rely on running back Albert Morris, but have added veteran Ryan Grant for depth. The team is hopeful that injured left tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Pierre Garcon will be able to play. On defense, Washington continues to try to adjust to the loss of defensive end Adam Carriker and linebacker Brian Orakpo. Washington is also dangerously thin at cornerback with rookie Jordan Crawford projected as the nickel back.
Tampa quarterback Josh Freeman has struggled with the worst completion percentage in the NFC. While the Redskins pass defense has been horrible, Tampa is even worst- last in the NFL. Rookie running back Doug Martin leads the Bucaneers ground game with free agent acquisition Vincent Jackson the top receiver. Tampa took a hit on defense on Sunday, losing defensive end Adrian Clayborn for the season.
The Redskins have dropped seven of their last eight visits to Tampa, including playoffs. The Bucs have won the last six regular-season home matchups. The game features the two iron men of the NFL, Redskins linebacker London Fletcher and Bucaneers defensive back Ronde Barber, each of whom has appeared in 227 consecutive games.
NOTES
REDSKINS: QB ROBERT GRIFFIN III leads NFL rookies & ranks 6th overall with 103.5 rating, completing 60 of 89 (67.4 pct.) for 747 yards with 4 TDs vs. 1 INT. Leads NFL QBs with 209 rush yards & 3 TDs. His 3 rush TDs are tied for most by any player…RB ALFRED MORRIS leads NFL rookies with 263 rush yards & ties for 1st among all players with 3 rush TDs. Redskins are only team with 2 players with 3 rush TDs (Griffin & Morris)…In only game vs. TB (10/3/11 with Ind.), WR PIERRE GARCON had 2 catches for 146 yards (73 avg.) & 2 TDs (87 & 59 yards). WR LEONARD HANKERSON aims for 3rd in row with 50+ rec. yards. WR SANTANA MOSS aims for 3rd in row vs. TB with TD catch. TE FRED DAVIS led team with 7 catches & 90 yards last week. Offense has scored 8 TDs in red zone, tied for 2nd most in NFL…LB ROB JACKSON had 1st career INT-TD last week. CB DE ANGELO HALL has 5 INTs in past 7 vs. TB. LB LONDON FLETCHER had 11 tackles & FR in last meeting…BUCCANEERS: Since 2010, QB JOSH FREEMAN is 1 of 2 QBs with 7,500+ pass (7,534) & 600+ rush (616) yards (AARON RODGERS). Is 1-0 vs. Was. & had 109.8 rating. When Freeman has 95+ rating, Bucs are 10-4 (.714)…Rookie RB DOUG MARTIN is 2nd among NFL rookies with 214 rush yards…WR VINCENT JACKSON avg. 20.4 yards per catch (10 for 204), 3rd highest in NFL (min. 10 rec.). Since 2008, Jackson avg. 18.1 yards per catch (211 rec., 3,823 yards), best in NFL (min. 200 catches). WR MIKE WILLIAMS has TD catch in 2 of past 3. Since entering NFL in 2003, TE DALLAS CLARK has 46 TDs, 3rd most by NFL TE…Club’s rushing defense is best in NFL (47.3 yards per game). Buccaneers lead NFL in red zone defense with 18.2 TD pct. (11 poss, 2 TDs allowed). Team is tied for 2nd in NFL with 6 INTs. TB has 6 different players with INT, most in NFL. DB RONDE BARBER is only player in NFL annals with 25+ sacks (28) & 40+ INTs (44). DT GERALD MC COY tied career-high with 2 sacks last week & added FF. DE MICHAEL BENNETT had 2 sacks with FF last week & has 5 sacks in past 6 games.
Prediction:The Redskins crushed Tampa Bay in the preseason 30-3 at Fed Ex Field. The Skins outgained Tampa by 300 yards, but we all know the preseason is a different animal. Washington should be able to score plenty of points on Sunday, the game may be decided by the two teams weaknesses. Will the Bucaneers anemic offense be able to exploit the struggling Redskins defense? Washington has allowed receivers to have big days in losses to St.Louis and Cincinnati. Vincent Jackson is a big physical receiver and Tampa will certainly try to get him going early. Expect the Redskins to outscore Tampa, lets just hope that if the game is close that RGIII avoids injury when the Bucs come at him on the kneel down. Washington 34 Tampa 27
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REDSKINS |
BUCCANEERS |
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SERIES LEADER |
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9-8 |
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STREAKS |
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5 of past 7 |
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COACHES VS. OPP. |
Shanahan: 3-2 |
Schiano: 0-0 |
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LAST WEEK |
L 38-31 vs. Bengals |
L 16-10 at Cowboys |
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LAST GAME |
12/12/10: Buccaneers 17 at Redskins 16. Tampa Bay stops Washington’s 2-point try with 9 seconds remaining. K Connor Barth converts 3 FGs for Buccaneers. |
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LAST GAME AT SITE |
11/25/07: Buccaneers 19, Redskins 13. Tampa Bay scores 16 unanswered points as K Matt Bryant hits 4 FGs & RB Ernest Graham rushes for TD. Bucs defense forces 6 turnovers. |
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BROADCAST |
FOX (4:25 PM ET): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan, Krista Voda SIRIUS: 92 (Was.), 91 (TB). XM: 228 (TB). |
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STATS
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PASSING |
Griffin III (R): 60-89-747-4-1-103.5 |
Freeman: 41-80-491-4-3-71.4 |
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RUSHING |
Morris (R): 61-263 (3C)-4.3-3 (T1L) |
Martin (R): 63-214-3.4-1 |
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RECEIVING |
F. Davis (TE): 11-142-12.9-0 |
Jackson: 10-204-20.4-1 |
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OFFENSE |
404.3 |
243.7 |
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TAKE/GIVE |
+6 (2L) |
+4 (T3L) |
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DEFENSE |
429.3 |
400.7 |
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SACKS |
Kerrigan: 2.5 |
Bennett, McCoy: 3 |
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INTs |
4 tied: 1 |
6 tied: 1 |
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PUNTING |
Rocca: 45.9 |
Koenen: 42.8 |
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KICKING |
Cundiff: 27 (12/12 PAT; 5/6 FG) |
Barth: 24 (6/6 PAT; 6/6 FG) |
Former Buccaneers on Redskins:
Executive VP/General Manager Bruce Allen (2004-08)
Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan (2004-05)
O Line Coach Chris Foerster (1996-01, same position)
TE Coach Sean McVay (2008, Offensive Assistant)
DB Coach Raheem Morris (2002-05, 07-11)
WR Dezmon Briscoe (2011)
Former Redskins on Buccaneers:
Running Backs Coach Earnest Byner was the Redskins’ running backs
coach from 2004-07 and played with the organization from 1989-93.
Assistant Jimmy Raye was the Redskins’ offensive coordinator in 2001.
 Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers  |
||||
| Name | Position | Injury | Practice Status | Game Status |
| WAS | ||||
| Pierre Garcon | WR | -- | Limited Participation in Practice | -- |
| Trent Williams | T | -- | Did Not Participate In Practice | -- |
| Evan Royster | RB | -- | Limited Participation in Practice | -- |
| Leonard Hankerson | WR | -- | Full Participation in Practice | -- |
| Cedric Griffin | CB | -- | Did Not Participate In Practice | -- |
| Brandon Meriweather | S | -- | Limited Participation in Practice | -- |
| TB | ||||
| Dekoda Watson | LB | -- | Limited Participation in Practice | -- |
| Anthony Gaitor | CB | -- | Did Not Participate In Practice | -- |
| Leonard Johnson | CB | -- | Full Participation in Practice | -- |
| E.J. Biggers | CB | -- | Full Participation in Practice | -- |
| Carl Nicks | G | -- | Limited Participation in Practice | -- |
What lies ahead? A peek at the October schedule:
| Sunday, October 07, 2012 1:00 PM ET | Atlanta Falcons |
| Sunday, October 14, 2012 4:25 PM ET | Minnesota Vikings |
| Sunday, October 21, 2012 1:00 PM ET | @New York Giants |
| Sunday, October 28, 2012 1:00 PM ET | @Pittsburgh Steelers |
