It's that time of year again. Tom Brady is coming off his bye week and the league needs to take notice. Year after year in New England, Brady and the Patriots got better as the season progressed. That was particularly true after the bye week.
Well, that translated to Tampa Bay as well. Last season, Tom Brady and the Buccaneers were 7-5 entering their bye week. They did not lose another game and went on to crush the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
For more insight on the Buccaneers' Week 10 matchup against Washington, listen below:
Here are 4 bold predictions for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Week 10 vs. Washington.
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Buccaneers Week 10 Predictions
4. Tyler Johnson has a big game
Buccaneers wide receiver Tyler Johnson is coming off his best game of the season in Tampa's 36-27 loss at New Orleans in Week 8. Johnson caught 5 of his 6 targets for 65 yards. According to Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud, Antonio Brown still is not practicing and Scotty Miller is still on IR.
Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown continue their long rehab in sweats https://t.co/fIjhJx1CGg
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) November 10, 2021
That leaves Johnson as the team's third receiver. Washington's defense has done a good job this season funneling everything to the inside of the field. If they manage to limit Mike Evans downfield outside the numbers, Johnson could feast over the middle on quick slants and hooks vs zone coverage.
3. Ronald Jones II will see significant snaps
Entering the season, the Bucs were thought to have a committee at running back between Ronald Jones II and Leonard Fournette. After all, it was Jones who had the breakout season last year.
However, fumbling issues, early drops and missed blocking assignments during the first couple of weeks put Jones into Bruce Arians' dog house. I think he finally gets out of it this week.
Washington is in the top 3rd of the league in rush defense. Fournette might struggle to get going early on and Arians will turn to Jones II for a spark. We know he is capable.
2. Buccaneers defense will score twice
The young Buccaneers defense carried the team during the second half last season, culminating in a dominant Super Bowl performance. However, there was one team and one offense that gave them fits during that stretch. It was the Washington Football Team and Taylor Heinicke during the NFC Wild Card round.
Heinicke threw for over 300 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 46 more yards and another score on the ground. Don't think the Bucs defense has forgotten about that.
It was arguably Heinicke's best game as a pro. He made some fantastic throws in that game and at points, seem to outplay the GOAT.
This season, we have seen the Taylor Heinicke that everyone expected in that playoff loss. He has thrown 9 interceptions already this season with a 42.5 QBR. That ranks 26th among qualified quarterbacks.
With the Buccaneers getting healthier on defense, coming off a bye, look for them to feast on a struggling offense. They will get a strip sack and return it for a score, as well as pick Heinicke off and take it to the house in a big win.
1. Tom Brady will struggle in the 1st half
It is no secret that the only way we have seen Tom Brady slowed down offensively is when you can apply pressure, particularly up the middle. Like any team facing Washington, Tampa Bay will game plan for Chase Young off the edge. Whether that means doubling him, or chipping him at the line with running backs and tight ends, it's obvious he will garner special attention.
That allows Jonathan Allen to break free up the middle against a middle-of-the-road interior line for Tampa Bay. Allen has 6 sacks on the season, leading the team. The other starting defensive tackle, Daron Payne is 3rd on the team.
Look for Brady to have to move off his spot early, and go down a couple of times. Of course, he will course correct out of halftime and find ways to hit his receivers and eventually cruise to victory.
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