Let’s take a closer look at this matchup
The Buccaneers face a tough test on Sunday as they head to Los Angeles for a date with the Chargers. Tampa Bay has won three straight games and now lead the NFC South, but the Chargers are 8-5 and have been a good football team this season.
To preview this game from the other side of things, we sat down with Michael Peterson of Bolts from the Blue to get a closer look at what Los Angeles has to offer in this game.
1. The Chargers come into this game as the only team above .500 the Buccaneers have faced after their bye week. What has propelled the Chargers success so far this season?
“The Chargers wouldn’t be doing much of anything this season if it wasn’t for the defense. We’re entering Week 15 of the NFL season and the Chargers still have the number one scoring defense in the league. That’s such a step forward from the past few seasons when Brandon Staley’s group was allowing almost twice as much per game. What’s remarkable is that the defense has been continuing to perform well despite a number of injuries at most positions. Cornerback, edge rusher, linebacker, safety, you name it. They’ve had dudes signed off the street who come in and make an impact. With the offense as pedestrian as it is this year, the defense is the only reason they are above .500 on the year.”
2. Justin Herbert was a bit banged up in the game last week against Kansas City but was able to finish it. How concerned are you about this and do you think it could have any effect on the game?
“Herbert came off the final injury report entirely and it looks like he should be able to go at close to 100 percent health. The thing is, when he’s not 100 percent, the first thing that gets reeled back is his scrambling ability. The offense is at its best when Herbert can escape the pocket and move the chains with his legs. When he got hurt against the Chiefs, Herbert told reporters after the game that running out of the pocket was the first thing to go when they were forced to rethink the game plan in the second half. If that’s the case for this game, the Bucs defensive front should have a much easier time corralling Herbert in the pocket.”
3. When looking at this matchup, what is one positional group battle you are going to be keeping your eyes on?
“The interior defensive line for the Bucs against the interior offensive line for the Chargers. The three interior linemen for the Bolts have been the weakest link to the offense in my opinion and I don’t foresee them having a great day against Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea. Those two lead the Bucs in sacks and they’re about to have a really good matchup on Sunday. If Vea and Kancey are able to take advantage, it could go a long way for the Bucs in keeping Sunday’s game competitive until the end.”
4. Finish this sentence, the Bucs upset the Chargers if __
“….Justin Herbert is more hobbled than expected and the offensive line cannot keep him protected well enough. I cannot stress enough that Herbert IS the Chargers offense and they have not shown the propensity to go anywhere without him.”
5. How do you see everything playing out and what is your score prediction?
“I’ve chosen to stay cautiously optimistic most weeks and my habit of actually picking against the Chargers seems to have the opposite effect on the actual outcome so we’re going to stick with that approach. I think this game is competitive late into the fourth quarter. The Chargers offense has been very absent outside of some quick flashes (usually in just one of the two halves each week) and it’s mainly been up to the defense to get a well-timed stop or takeaway. I don’t think Mayfield makes any mistakes in this game and the Bucs end up winning on a late field goal.
Let’s call it 23-20 Buccaneers”
Thanks so much to Michael for doing this!