Vikings at Bucs Depth Chart Preview 2020
Dec 11, 2020 22:15:22 GMT -6
Oracle Bone Diviner, Minniman, and 2 more like this
Post by Danchat on Dec 11, 2020 22:15:22 GMT -6
The Vikings are coming out hot with a 5-1 record the past 6 games, and they catch the Bucs after a bye and 2 losses. Will their momentum be petered, or will the Vikings go toe-to-toe with an NFC contender to prove themselves worthy of a playoff spot?
Line: TB -6.5
Injury Report
Vikings
LB Kendricks Out
HB Mattison Out
TE Smith Jr. Questionable
TE Rudolph Doubtful
Bucs
CB Dean Doubtful
*My Thoughts*
That's a lot of green in that depth chart... you can see where all the hype behind this team is coming from. Tom Brady joined a offense loaded with talent that was squandered by Jameis Winston, and he's done a solid job. He isn't a great fit in Arians' offense, as his ability to go deep has diminished harshly this season, but he's still got a great feel for pressure and will weave in intermediate throws with ease. He has been giving the ball away more often this season (11 picks and 4 fumbles), and the Vikings will have to pressure him. If not, he'll have a downright lethal WR corps to throw to. Evans and Godwin have been banged up this season, but they were the NFL's best WR duo in 2019. Even at half-speed Evans has been hard to cover and is a monster in the redzone with 11 TDs this year. Godwin has the jets to blow by CBs, but has been less explosive than last year. The much maligned Antontio Brown is their 3rd WR, and has been ramping his game up with a 20/168/0 line in 4 games. Even their backup receivers could get open against the likes of Gladney and Boyd. Gronk has been rounding into form lately, and while he's not as fast as he used to be, he's still going to come down with those 50-50 balls more often than not.
The Bucs' O-line has taken a big step forward this year, and I believe this for several reasons. Going from Winston to Brady is a boost, but they've also improved as a run blocking unit, and took (IMO) the best O-lineman in the draft. RT Tristan Wirfs has been a godsend at RT, providing rock solid pass protection and decent run blocking. LT Donovan Smith has rebounded after 4 rather lousy years to start his career, and is now an average blindside blocker. He's always struggled in pass protection. Cappa and Jensen are decent starters, with Cappa yet to allow a sack, and Jensen only giving up about a pressure a game. Marpet is the unit's anchor, providing beastly run support and also has given up 0 sacks and just 10 pressures. The run game has benefitted - former 2nd rounder Ronald Jones has broken out with 820 yards at 5.1 YPC after being a questionable starter last year. They'll give Fournette run as the receiving back, but he's been a clear downgrade from Jones.
Defensively, this unit was quietly breaking out in 2019, and has broken out fully this season. They boast the 7th least yards given up, 2nd most interceptions, and least rushing yards given up. Even after losing Vita Vea to the IR, their D-line is still strong. Suh may not be the pass rusher he once was, but he's a stout run-stuffing 3-4 DE. Gholston has been a long-time run stopper, but this year he's actually grading higher as a pass rusher with 23 pressures (but only 2 sacks). Nunez-Roches has rated poorly in all categories, but the unit doesn't seem to be suffering because of him. McClendon will rotate in frequently and has been a strong run stuffer.
Meanwhile, Tampa's pass rushers have been hard to stop. Jason Pierre-Paul is playing like he's a Giant again, racking up 8.5 sacks and providing 29 run stops. On the other side, the franchise-tagged Shaq Barrett has 6 sacks, 32 pressures, and 25 run stops. Talk about doing it all! As for the interior, Lavonte David has been stopping the run well for a good 9 years now, and finally gets to be a part of a Super Bowl-caliber team. He's been great in coverage as well. 2019 1st rounder Devin White has struggled badly so far in his career, but he has the tools to be a special player with sideline-to-sideline speed. He's been terrible in coverage, though, giving up almost 600 yards and a 89% completion against rate.
Lastly, Tampa has spent a bunch of 2nd and 3rd rounders on their top 5 DBs, and found results. Carlton Davis has been a quality #1 CB with 4 interceptions and a 61.9% completion rate, but has given up 721 yards. Jamel Dean will likely miss the game, and leave nickel CB Murphy-Bunting in the #2 role. He's had a rough year giving up 80.7% of passes to be completed. Ross Cockrell will likely cover the slot, and he's been a quality coverage man, but a terrible tackler. 2nd round rookie Winfield Jr. has made some big plays as a tackler and blitzer, but has a ways to go in coverage. SS Whitehead's play has improved greatly in year 2, allowing just a 87.3 passer rating against.
Prediction: Buccaneers 38, Vikings 25
This is a wake-up call game after facing a bunch of bad teams, and I expect it to go poorly. The Bucs match up very well against the Vikings defense, especially minus Kendricks, and should have their way with them. Offensively, Cook doesn't look like he's running at 100% and the Bucs have shut down most every back they've faced. Cousins should be able to find Thielen and Jefferson for some big gains, but will likely struggle against the pass rush and will have a hard time making up for the defense's shortcomings.
Any thoughts?
Line: TB -6.5
Injury Report
Vikings
LB Kendricks Out
HB Mattison Out
TE Smith Jr. Questionable
TE Rudolph Doubtful
Bucs
CB Dean Doubtful
*My Thoughts*
That's a lot of green in that depth chart... you can see where all the hype behind this team is coming from. Tom Brady joined a offense loaded with talent that was squandered by Jameis Winston, and he's done a solid job. He isn't a great fit in Arians' offense, as his ability to go deep has diminished harshly this season, but he's still got a great feel for pressure and will weave in intermediate throws with ease. He has been giving the ball away more often this season (11 picks and 4 fumbles), and the Vikings will have to pressure him. If not, he'll have a downright lethal WR corps to throw to. Evans and Godwin have been banged up this season, but they were the NFL's best WR duo in 2019. Even at half-speed Evans has been hard to cover and is a monster in the redzone with 11 TDs this year. Godwin has the jets to blow by CBs, but has been less explosive than last year. The much maligned Antontio Brown is their 3rd WR, and has been ramping his game up with a 20/168/0 line in 4 games. Even their backup receivers could get open against the likes of Gladney and Boyd. Gronk has been rounding into form lately, and while he's not as fast as he used to be, he's still going to come down with those 50-50 balls more often than not.
The Bucs' O-line has taken a big step forward this year, and I believe this for several reasons. Going from Winston to Brady is a boost, but they've also improved as a run blocking unit, and took (IMO) the best O-lineman in the draft. RT Tristan Wirfs has been a godsend at RT, providing rock solid pass protection and decent run blocking. LT Donovan Smith has rebounded after 4 rather lousy years to start his career, and is now an average blindside blocker. He's always struggled in pass protection. Cappa and Jensen are decent starters, with Cappa yet to allow a sack, and Jensen only giving up about a pressure a game. Marpet is the unit's anchor, providing beastly run support and also has given up 0 sacks and just 10 pressures. The run game has benefitted - former 2nd rounder Ronald Jones has broken out with 820 yards at 5.1 YPC after being a questionable starter last year. They'll give Fournette run as the receiving back, but he's been a clear downgrade from Jones.
Defensively, this unit was quietly breaking out in 2019, and has broken out fully this season. They boast the 7th least yards given up, 2nd most interceptions, and least rushing yards given up. Even after losing Vita Vea to the IR, their D-line is still strong. Suh may not be the pass rusher he once was, but he's a stout run-stuffing 3-4 DE. Gholston has been a long-time run stopper, but this year he's actually grading higher as a pass rusher with 23 pressures (but only 2 sacks). Nunez-Roches has rated poorly in all categories, but the unit doesn't seem to be suffering because of him. McClendon will rotate in frequently and has been a strong run stuffer.
Meanwhile, Tampa's pass rushers have been hard to stop. Jason Pierre-Paul is playing like he's a Giant again, racking up 8.5 sacks and providing 29 run stops. On the other side, the franchise-tagged Shaq Barrett has 6 sacks, 32 pressures, and 25 run stops. Talk about doing it all! As for the interior, Lavonte David has been stopping the run well for a good 9 years now, and finally gets to be a part of a Super Bowl-caliber team. He's been great in coverage as well. 2019 1st rounder Devin White has struggled badly so far in his career, but he has the tools to be a special player with sideline-to-sideline speed. He's been terrible in coverage, though, giving up almost 600 yards and a 89% completion against rate.
Lastly, Tampa has spent a bunch of 2nd and 3rd rounders on their top 5 DBs, and found results. Carlton Davis has been a quality #1 CB with 4 interceptions and a 61.9% completion rate, but has given up 721 yards. Jamel Dean will likely miss the game, and leave nickel CB Murphy-Bunting in the #2 role. He's had a rough year giving up 80.7% of passes to be completed. Ross Cockrell will likely cover the slot, and he's been a quality coverage man, but a terrible tackler. 2nd round rookie Winfield Jr. has made some big plays as a tackler and blitzer, but has a ways to go in coverage. SS Whitehead's play has improved greatly in year 2, allowing just a 87.3 passer rating against.
Prediction: Buccaneers 38, Vikings 25
This is a wake-up call game after facing a bunch of bad teams, and I expect it to go poorly. The Bucs match up very well against the Vikings defense, especially minus Kendricks, and should have their way with them. Offensively, Cook doesn't look like he's running at 100% and the Bucs have shut down most every back they've faced. Cousins should be able to find Thielen and Jefferson for some big gains, but will likely struggle against the pass rush and will have a hard time making up for the defense's shortcomings.
Any thoughts?
... and neither is this Chris guy.