If not for some of the worst coaching in the NFL the Skins would be considered one of the best teams in the conference. Against both the Giants and the Packers the Skins led at half time but choked away the lead because of Joe Gibbs’ conservative game plan. To compound matters it is not clear cut who is calling the plays 100% of the time for the Skins. Al Saunders is their offensive coordinator (and the highest paid one in the NFL at that) but it appears that sometimes Gibbs calls plays. To make things even more confusing the Skins also have a third coach (Joe Bugel) who may or may not be calling plays as well. The Skins this season have been a victim of their own coaching so nothing is certain if Washington has a lead at halftime.
BY THE NUMBERS (DVOA explained here)
Buccaneers
Offense: ppg, 19.5 (#19) – DVOA, 15.4% (#5)
Defense: ppg, 15.1 (#2) – DVOA, -7.1% (#9)
Skins
Offense: ppg, 20.0 (#17) – DVOA, 0.9% (#17)
Defense: ppg, 22.1 (#17) – DVOA, -5.0% (#11)
The Skins breakdown as an average team, which is fitting for their 5-5 record. The Skins offense has found success running the ball with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts but until last week Jason Campbell had struggled throwing the ball. Partly because of Campbell’s inexperience at quarterback and partly because Gibbs loves to pound the rock the Skins have been a running team. Fortunately Washington has a very good defense to pair with their average offense. Fortunate for the Bucs the Spitter will be out for this game making the Skins secondary much more vulnerable to the passing game, as Terrel Owens proved en route to scoring 4 touchdowns last week.
BY THE PLAYERS
Clinton Portis/Ladell Betts/Jason Campbell versus Bucs Front Seven
It has to be mentioned that this is the seventh time these two teams have met in six years with the last three games all in Tampa. Some one in the NFL scheduling office must really not like Washington. When the Skins have won they done so behind Clinton Portis who is the leading candidate for the comeback player of the year award considering he is the sixth leading rusher with 802 yards on the ground. Betts and Campbell are both dangerous on the ground as well with 212 and 165 rushing yards respectively. Middle ‘backer Barrett Ruud has been one of the keys to the Bucs defensive renaissance this season and he will have a busy day playing the run.
If the Bucs can limit the Skins ground game they will win this game. If not it will come down to late game heroics a la Mike Alstott two years ago.
