Buccaneers vs Bengals: Matchups to Watch

Tyler Boyd vs. Buccaneer slot coverage

Last week I wrote about how the Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway could present huge mismatches for the Buccaneers struggling secondary. As it turns out, only half of that was right: Callaway caught just one pass, but Jarvis Landry dominated to the tune of ten catches and the critical touchdown to force overtime.

Operating mainly out of the slot, Landry exposed the weakest part of Tampa’s most vulnerable position, and fellow slot receiver Tyler Boyd will almost certainly do the same this week.

A.J. Green presents obvious issues to every part of the Buccaneers defense, as he lines up in the slot a right amount of time, particularly in the red zone. But between the 20’s it will be a lot of Tyler Boyd, who is enjoying a spectacular breakout season.

Boyd has 40 catches for 482 yards and four touchdowns and has had just two starts out of seven in which he wasn’t heavily involved in the game plan. With the Bucs likely to employ bracket coverage to contain Green, I think Dalton will do the wise thing and pick apart the middle of the field with easy throws to Boyd.

That’s it for the match-ups this week. I think that both teams are pretty even as far as talent goes, and both sides have critical flaws that can be exposed by the other. It should altogether make for an entertaining, high-scoring Sunday! Be sure to check back next week for more match-up breakdowns when the Bucs take on the Carolina Panthers.