Week 15: 5 Bold Predictions
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to take on the injury riddled Detroit Lions, looking to make it four straight victories. Here are five bold predictions.
Prediction 1: Bucs are positive in the turnover margin for a change!
The Buccaneers have been plagued by Jamies Winston interceptions all season, but today that will change. Jameis will throw one pick, but the defense will get two turnovers back to put the Bucs at a net +1 in the turnover margin.
A Shaq Barrett sack/fumble will be one of them. Followed up by a an interception by Jamel Dean. Dean will be matched up with Detroit star receiver Kenny Golladay for most of the afternoon giving Dean plenty of chances to add to his impressive second half of the season.
Prediction 2: Barrett BREAKS the Buccaneers single-season sack record
As mentioned in prediction #1, Barrett will have 1 sack/fumble caused. That would tie him with Hall of Fame defensive lineman Warren Sapp for the single-season record.
Barrett will add to his day by combining on a sack to take that half sack into the record books along with a massive payday (hopefully from the Bucs) in 2020.
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Prediction 3: Ronald Jones ends up with more carries than Peyton Barber for a change…
The Bucs will come out firing trying to get a couple score lead to start the game. Leaving Rojo with less opportunities to pass block and more opportunities to show what he can do on the ground.
The Lions are coached by a Belicheck disciple who knows how to scheme a defense, but the Lions have struggled stopping the run. Peyton Barber will steal some carries from Rojo, but barring a fumble or a missed blitz pick up, Rojo will end the day with more carries AND yards than Barber.
Prediction 4: Chris Godwin ends the day with 100+ yards and 2 TD’s
Wait, isn’t Chris Godwin a lock to be a top 3 receiver in yards this year? Yes. Isn’t he the Bucs number 1 target now that Mike Evans is gone? Yes as well.
But don’t be fooled by Matt Patricia and the gameplan of having team’s number one option double covered all game. With a stud like Darrius Slay shadowing Chris, it will be a tough feat for sure.
However, the play-action game will help spring Godwin. To break the 100 yard plateau he’s gonna have to make 1-2 long catches which he’s mainly done after the catch this season than through the air. I predict he breaks off one 40+ yard pass and then do some dirty work over the middle on third down and red zone.
Prediction 5: Bucs win by more than TWO scores
The Bucs are playing a third string quarterback today so it should be a piece of cake, right? Well yes, but the Bucs have shown most of the season that no matter who is playing quarterback, it will be a tightly contested contest.
Kyle Allen, Teddy Bridgewater, Daniel Jones, and Ryan Tannehill are all back-up quarterbacks who have beaten the Bucs this season. With rookies Kyler Murray and Gardner Minshew impressing against the Bucs defense this season as well.
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David Blough isn’t a world beater, but if given protection, he has shown enough toughness in his starts to be able to grind out a close-one. Barrett, Vita, and JPP will provide enough pressure this game to force some key stops and turnovers to allow the offense to take care of business in the domed Ford Field.
Final Score Prediction:
Buccaneers- 34, Lions- 17