Intriguing Game- NFL, Week 15
Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bengals: There’s nobody else right now that’s playing as well as they have as of late. What I admire is how they’re letting the play do the talk. I haven’t seen a coach, player or anyone from that organization say, “we’re the team that came out of the AFC last season”. Instead, they’re showing people their actions. After a very average start to the season, they’re doing exactly what they did around this time last year and that’s build momentum during a stretch run. Many threw the towel in on them after Ja’Marr Chase went down with his hip injury. Let’s talk about the difference he makes for the Cincinnati Bengals. First, he’s Joe Burrow’s number one receiving option for a reason and the chemistry between these two reminds me so much of Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, two Hall of Famers. Just as Peyton found Marvin when he needed a play, that’s exactly what Joe does with Ja’Marr. The one thing that they don’t get credit for is how sneaky physical they are. You saw it against the Titans a few weeks ago with how they were able to shut down Derrick Henry and the Titans rushing attack and look at the challenges they present for the Kansas City Chiefs as they’ve had their number and beat them three times in a single calendar year. This offense can score on you and the defense makes key stops. With the Ravens so up and down, this is who I see winning the AFC North. On Sunday, they will travel to Florida for a showdown with an up and down Tampa Bay team.
Buccaneers: I haven’t been impressed with them since earlier in the year. There’s nothing they’ve done to make me say, this is a group that can win the whole thing and they’re a group to avoid going down the stretch. If anything, they’ve been consistently inconsistent, and I’ve noticed this throughout the year. I love Tom Brady and without question, he’s the greatest Quarterback living and the greatest ever to step on the field. At this point, he’s not the guy that can take a game over with his arm. You can’t win with him throwing the football 40 times or more. Outside of their opening game against the Dallas Cowboys, the best I saw them look was when they played the Seahawks back in November, because then, I saw an active group and they got back to running the ball. The Tampa Bay offense has been so up and down this year. Too often, I’ve seen guys who are productive just make mental mistakes on the field. Mike Evans would drop wide open passes, Tom is overthrowing the ball left and right, then, the Offensive Line has struggled to protect consistently and get any type of push. If you’ve watched any of their games this year, defenses attack them from the interior, and it’s been difficult for them to run the ball because of the lack of push. Looking back at the game against the Saints, they didn’t look good in that contest, they were gift wrapped that game. The AFC champs come to town for a showdown on Sunday.
Bengals X-Factor: Trey Hendrickson– He is incredibly underrated. I remember when he was a situational player with the Saints, now, he’s a full-time starter and it’s been fun to watch his development over these last few years. Trey has a tremendous first step off the snap of the ball. It’s the combination of his speed off the edge to rush the passer and the quickness to stuff the running game. Trey plays with an old school mindset. He’s a pure bull rusher that can collapse the pocket.
Buccaneers X-Factor: Devin White– He’s the man in the middle for this Tampa defense. It’s the explosiveness he plays with on each play. He’s about 245 pounds and runs a 4.3, wow! What I like about Devin’s game is the ability to always play downhill and get to the ball. His speed and how he gets from point a to point b make him the fastest Linebacker in the league. He stops the run and gets after the Quarterback. This is a guy the Bengals must know where he is always.
Prediction: Back in January of this year, I was asked who Joe Burrow reminded me of. I said a young Tom Brady and what I meant was he’s never phased by anything and it’s how he worries about making the next play. Sunday will mark the first meeting between the two Quarterbacks. This is a must-win game for the Buccaneers. I have one piece of advice for Todd Bowles. Do not blitz Burrow consistently because he can get rid of the ball quickly and will make you pay for it. That won’t end well for you. The Bucs must also get that running game going to help Brady. I also need to see more discipline from Tampa as penalties have really hurt them. The Bengals will keep everything underneath for Tampa’s offense. Look for them to attack that Offensive Line and get after Brady.
Prediction: Bengals 28, Bucs 19
