Can Tampa Bay Continue It’s Offensive Assault Against New Orleans?

Has there been an more effective offensive unit in the last two weeks than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? In last week’s victory over the Los Angeles Rams, they scored on eight of their 13 possessions. Two of the possessions were Tampa running out the clock and one was an end of half kneel-down.l imp

In the last eight quarters of football, there hasn’t been a better quarterback than Jameis Winston. Winston has thrown for 765 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s averaging 15 yards a completion and he had 17 completions last week for first downs.

The one thing that stands out about last week’s 55 point effort is that Mike Evans had a pretty quiet game. A week after torching the New York Giants’ secondary for three touchdowns, Evans only caught four passes for 89 yards.

You would think in a game where Winston throws for four touchdowns, that his all-pro wide receiver would have a game similar to he had in the previous week. But with Evans drawing the attention of Rams’ star corner Aqib Talib, Chris Godwin had a field day with Marcus Peters. Godwin caught 12 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

Godwin was all over the field and no matter what Sean McVay’s defense tried to do, it wasn’t stopping the Buccaneers’ other main target. With the passing game working on all cylinders, it gave running back Ronald Jones lanes to maneuver.

Jones finished with 70 yards rushing an a touchdown but his spark in the running game gives Tampa Bay another wrinkle in head coach Bruce Arians’ attack.

 

Now How Can They Attack New Orleans Defense?

New Orleans and Los Angeles have similarities in how their defense is built. Both teams have very good defensive lines and have star pass rushers. They both force pressure to allow their cornerbacks to make plays.

The Saints’ Marcus Lattimore will draw Evans in the headline matchup of the day. Lattimore normally does a solid job on Evans but don’t be surprised if he makes a play or two.

The other matchup of Eli Apple and Godwin is the going to be the difference in the game on Sunday. Godwin is third in the league with 386 receiving yards and will use his route running ability to give his quarterback chances to make plays.

New Orleans is 26th in the league in pass defense and Winston should be dreaming of picking apart this defense. Now if Tampa Bay gets the Winston of the last two games instead of the Winston that they got in week one, the Buccaneers will have every chance to win on the road in New Orleans.

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