Jobangebote » Bucs vs Steelers: Five keys to victory

Tampa Bay might be the most surprising team in the NFL through the first two weeks of the 2018 season. After knocking off New Orleans in a high-octane affair in week one Womens Deone Bucannon Jersey , the Buccaneers responded by taking down the defending champs last Sunday.It won’t get any easier in week three with Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers coming to town. Despite missing Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers offense is still elite, currently ranked No. 2 in the league behind who else, Tampa Bay. It’ll be interesting to see if Ryan Fitzpatrick can stay hot against a Pittsburgh defense that struggled against the pass a week ago. The Bucs have the weapons on offense to light up the scoreboard for the third straight week against a defense that has allowed 31.5 points per game.1. Finding success on the groundThough Tampa Bay has blitzed its opponents up through the air during its first two games, the Buccaneers haven’t found much success on the ground.As a whole, the offense has averaged 77.5 rushing yards per game on only 2.7 yards per attempt. Tampa Bay may have to get more creative with its play calling to open up the run.Will we see Ronald Jones get a chance to spark this offense in week three?2. Taking advantage of a weak secondaryPittsburgh got blindsided last week in a high-scoring loss to Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes was on fire, completing 23 of his 28 passes for 326 yards and six touchdowns. With the success Tampa Bay has had through the air in its first two wins, Fitzpatrick and the receiving corps will be the players to watch on Monday night.The former Harvard star has been incredible early in 2018, completing 78.7% of his passes for 819 yards with eight touchdowns compared to just one interception. If the deep balls continue to connect, expect another explosive performance from the Bucs offense.3. Pass protectionDespite the Steelers allowing 31.5 points per game and having some breakdowns in the secondary, this team has rushed the passer well.Pittsburgh has amassed eight sacks during its first two games, netting four in each contest. On the other side, Tampa Bay has only allowed two sacks in its first two games.After holding off a stout Philadelphia Eagles defensive line last week, the Bucs offensive line is up for another challenge. 4. A big game from the defensive lineTampa Bay is heading into its contest against Pittsburgh severely limited on the defensive line. Starting defensive tackle Beau Allen and First-Round pick Vita Vea have both been ruled out for the game.That means Gerald McCoy and Jerel Worthy are the only healthy interior linemen for the Buccaneers. We’ll likely see defensive ends William Gholston and Will Clarke get some burn on the inside to help keep McCoy as fresh as possible.This is going to be a grinding effort from this defense and it all starts up front. Tampa Bay is going to need the entire defensive line to step up this week. 5. Limiting intermediate playsDespite starting 0-2 Ronde Barber Jersey White , Pittsburgh has still performed well on offense. The Steelers are tied for first in the NFL with 58 first downs, with 42 coming through the air.Tampa Bay has surrendered 376.5 passing yards per game to New Orleans and Philadelphia. Starting cornerback Brent Grimes was a full participant on Saturday and he could provide a big boost to the Bucs secondary.Grimes missed the first two games with a hamstring injury. Safety Chris Conte is also expected to play despite a knee injury. With a short-handed defensive line and a young defensive backfield, it is vital for Tampa Bay to limit Pittsburgh’s intermediate plays to try and prevent them from racking up first downs. The Jacksonville Jaguars are not quite ready to roll.Final roster cuts are looming, and several young players competing for jobs have given coach Doug Marrone and his staff a lot to think about."The next 48 hours we're going to have to make some tough decisions," Marrone said after fourth-stringer Tim Cook ran for two touchdowns to help the Jaguars close the preseason with a 25-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night."Some of these young guys have played really well, and tonight was a good example," Marrone added. "They made a couple plays and we were able to come back and win."Cook scored on runs of 1 and 3 yards. Carroll Phillips picked up a fumble by rookie quarterback Austin Allen and ran it back 28 yards for another TD as Jacksonville used a 19-point third-quarter to turn a 10-3 halftime deficit into a 12-point lead.Regulars for both teams sat out the finale Thursday night in mostly empty Raymond James Stadium. A total of 34 players did not dress for the Jaguars, including every starter on offense and defense.Tampa Bay's starters had the night off, too, as did suspended quarterback Jameis Winston, who must sit out the first three games of the regular season for violating the league's personal conduct policy.Winston had a sharp preseason, completing 73 percent of his passes for 388 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He will be eligible to return to practice and play in Week 4, when Tampa Bay travels to Chicago."''That's the most challenging part M.J. Stewart Jersey ," said Winston, who'll miss the Sept. 9 opener at New Orleans, as well as home games against defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia and Pittsburgh."I believe these guys will go out and execute, and we're going to get some wins," Winston added. "I can't wait to get back."Bucs coach Kirk Koetter said Winston has handled training camp and the impending suspension about as well as could have been expected."It's a situation that was handed down, and he's done what we've asked him to do," Koetter said. "And his play on the field, the most important thing of all is play on the field, was excellent."Ryan Fitzpatrick will fill in as the starter, with Ryan Griffin backing up the 14th-year pro, one of just four players in NFL history who've thrown TD passes for seven franchises.The Jaguars, meanwhile, will head into their season opener against the New York Giants with heightened expectations after going 10-6, winning the AFC South and coming within one victory of reaching the Super Bowl last winter.With starter Blake Bortles sitting Thursday night http://www.buccaneerslockerroom.com/authentic-jordan-whitehead-jersey , Cody Kessler and rookie Tanner Lee split playing time at quarterback for Jacksonville.Griffin, a fifth-year pro who has yet to take a snap in a regular-season game, completed 17 of 27 passes for 151 yards and one TD in the opening half for Tampa Bay. Rookie Justin Watson scored the Bucs' lone touchdown on a 2-yard reception in the first quarter.STAT SHEETKessler completed 4 of 6 passes for 32 yards for the Jaguars. Lee went 11 of 22 for 164 yards and no interceptions. Meanwhile, Jacksonville rushed for 151 yards, with Brandon Wilds gaining 88 yards on 17 carries and Cook finishing with 51 yards on 16 attempts.ROOKIE STRUGGLESThe Bucs drafted RB Ronald Jones II in the second round in hopes of sparking an anemic rushing attack. However, the rookie wasn't very productive in the preseason. He carried 10 times for 4 yards Thursday night, finishing the preseason with 22 yards on 28 attempts. Jones also had one reception for 37 yards in four games. Koetter conceded there's concern about not being able to get Jones going in games. "I can't give you a good answer for it," Koetter said, adding he has seen flashes from Jones in practice.NATIONAL ANTHEMPlayers on both sidelines remained standing for the national anthem after observing a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of last weekend's shooting during a video game tournament shooting in Jacksonville.INJURIESJaguars: None announced.Buccaneers: CB Amari Coleman left in the second half and was being evaluated for a concussion.NEXT UPJaguars: Season opener at New York Giants on Sept. 9Buccaneers: Begin three-game stretch without Winston, opening season at New Orleans on Sept. 9.