NFC Game Of The Week
Seattle Seahawks at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seahawks: I’m still eating that slice of humble pie that I served myself a few weeks back when I talked about them. When you count them out, they continue to win games. First, I couldn’t be happier for Geno Smith. He really was written off and continues to play with that chip on his shoulder. This is by far the best I’ve ever seen him look as an NFL Quarterback. The Seahawks have won four games in a row and are doing it with a balanced offensive attack. They run the football as effectively as they’ve been throwing it and that element has been missing in their game. Think back to when they were getting to Super Bowl all those years ago during the Legion of Boom days. Their identity consisted of two things which is running the football and playing stingy defense and they did each of those things at the highest level. I get flashbacks of those teams when I watch this Seattle group this year. Their defense has improved in more ways than imaginable in 2022. They get after the passer consistently and they get off the field, something they weren’t doing the last few years. They’ve been one of the best defenses in the league over the past four weeks. I know Nick Sirianni, Brian Daboll and Robert Saleh’s names have been in the running for Coach of the Year, let’s enter Pete Carroll into that conversation as well. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year. On Sunday morning, they will face the greatest Quarterback ever in Germany.
Bucs: If you’ve been around the game forever, one rule remains intact. Never give Tom Brady any time to comeback and march down the field because if you do, he will make you pay for it and that’s exactly what happened on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. They became one of the many teams who learned that lesson when facing the future Hall of Famer. Everyone is saying the Buccaneers saved their season which I think is a bit of an overreaction. Look at how much every team has underperformed this year in the NFC South. If anything, this division reminds me a lot of the 2020 NFC East when all four teams in that division were struggling and a team with a losing record won the division and made the playoffs that year (Washington). That same exact scenario could happen this year in the South. Even at 4-5, the Buccaneers reclaimed first place. They’re still having a tough time moving the football down the field. I look at the Offensive Line which has been a glaring issue, especially the interior of the line. Because of the lack of push, it’s been a struggle for them to establish the running game. Next, I see too many of these receivers dropping wide open passes. Some of the throws have been on Tom because he’ll underthrow a guy here and there or even overthrow a pass, but this offense doesn’t scare defenses as it did last year. Because of those inconsistencies on the offensive side, it has put a ton of pressure on the defense to get stops and stay on the field. They’ll look to win back to back games for the first time since September.
Seahawks X-Factor: Kenneth Walker III– At one time, the Buccaneers were the best in the league at stopping the run. When teams tried to get their running game going, the Bucs became that stone wall nobody could run through. I haven’t seen that this year. Look what the Ravens did to them a few weeks ago. I would rave about Kenneth last year when he was at Michigan State. He was the favorite to win the Heisman at one point. Kenneth reminds me of a more explosive version of Kareem Hunt. He’s been one of their key pieces on offense this year.
Buccaneers X-Factor: Chris Godwin– He’s their most important offensive player. Chris is Julian Edelman that can take the top off the coverage. This is who Brady likes to target in the short passing game and over the middle of the field. He’s tough in the open field because he’s tough to bring down with the ball in his hands. He’s earned the nickname “Mr. YAC” because of his ability to move after the catch. I expect Chris to see a lot of single coverage with Mike Evans drawing some double teams in this game.
Final Thoughts: For the first time ever, an NFL game is being played in Germany. There’s a first for everything! When you saw this game on the schedule, Tampa Bay was supposed to be leaps and bounds better than Seattle, right? Both are in first place in their divisions, but Seattle has a better record and nobody saw that coming. The Seahawks play with such great balance and they’ll need to play with that same intensity. Geno just needs to play his game as he’s done all year long. Control the clock, convert your third downs and play the style that’s got you in first place. Can the Bucs offense get it going? It’s been a struggle for them and this Seattle defense won’t make it easy. Look for the Seahawks to bring that pressure up the middle and get Brady off his spot. Get him in long yardage situations and push him back.
Predictions: Seahawks 24, Buccaneers 20
