Monday Morning QB - 9/19

The Bucs home opener was as I had hoped. The Bills have a very good defense, a good running game and a new QB. The Bucs were able to establish the run against the Bills, which is a great achievement. It took two quarters to wear the Bills down, but by the third quarter the Bucs started to take control.

My prediction: Bucs 20, Bills 13

Score: Bucs 19, Bills 3

Overall, the game was ugly-sexy... not high scoring, a lot of running, a lot of defense. Old school win.

Offense: B. Running game was established for the second week in a row. C. Williams is a special running back. He hurt is ankle in the second quarter, but came back to continue to dominate. I hope his injury isn't severe. Griese was inaccurate early, which hurt moving the ball effectively.

Defense: A. Amazing defense. Complete domination. If you can hold a team to 1 first down in the first half, you're doing something right.

Special Teams: B+. Punting the ball to the 1 yard line... three plays later a safety. No missed field goals or PATs.

Coaching: B+. A conservative game plan against a quality team. The Bucs were determined to run a lot and keep throwing to a minimum against the Bills D. The Bucs defense completely dominated the Bills offense, shutting down their running game and making QB Losman look lost.

Outstanding Players: Cadillac. Barber. O-Line. Brooks. D-Line.

Things That Drove Me Nuts: Griese missing an open Joey Gallaway and Alex Smith on passes in the first half that would have resulted in big gains.

Bucs Record: 2-0.

Next Opponent: Next week, the Bucs head off to Lambeau Field, to take on the 0-2 Packers. A critical game for both teams. There is a HUGE difference between being 2-1 and 3-0. The same goes for the Pack, were they can salvage something, as there is an equally HUGE difference between being 1-2 and 0-3.

Another outstanding running game and dominating defense.