Monday Morning QB - 11/14

The Bucs stopped there 1-3 slide to win a very exciting game over the Washington Redskins. Everyone, including myself, thought this game was going to be low scoring. Both teams had top 10 ranked defenses and both offenses were inconsistent. No one anticipated a 36-35 victory by the Bucs.

The Bucs moved the ball well on offense. This may be the game where we look back to see it was Chris Simms coming out party... where things started to click for the young QB. He's still young, he's still going to have bad games (see Eli Manning yesterday against the Vikes), but yesterday the game was all on his shoulders and he pulled it out. Hitting Shepard in the end zone with one minute left to tie the game was amazing. And Alstott, the fan favorite and under utilized FB/HB scored two TDs and the all important game winning two point conversion. It was a great game.


My prediction: Bucs 20, Redskins 17

Score: Bucs 36, Redskins 35

Offense: B. Passing game was great. Running game was below average again, which is a concern. Even hero Alstott only ran for 21 yards on nine carries. But give Gruden credit for getting Alstott more involved into the game.

Defense: D. Could not stop the run, could not get off the field. We did not force a punt in the second half and the Redskins ran for over 100 yards... without a long running play... all in chunks, which means they were consistently able ot run the ball.

Special Teams: D. Awful kickoff return of a TD when the Bucs could have gone into half time dominating.

Coaching: B. Gruden and Simms figured out how to pull out a win. Kiffin has to get the defense better quick. If we can't stop the run against Atlanta next week, we won't win that game, plain and simple.

Outstanding Players: Simms, Galloway and Shephard... oh, and Alstott. They carried the team to victory.

Things That Drove Me Nuts: The defense's inability to get off the field and stop third down conversions. Frustrating.

Bucs Record: 6-3.

Next Opponent: Atlanta may have been looking past the Packers to their game at home against the Bucs next week and they paid the price. The Pack beat the Falcons and Atlanta should be focused for the Bucs game. This is a critical divisional game and it will be a good indicator if the Bucs offense can repeat their success and if the Bucs defense can overcome their failures.