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Overview
This looked like a battle between one of the league's most balanced and explosive offenses and one of the league's most dangerous defenses, but a knee injury to Seattle RB Shaun Alexander could change that. While Seattle will continue to pound the ball between the tackles if Alexander can't go, backup Maurice Morris will have to step up or the offense could sputter.
Tampa Bay is dealing with an injury of its own, as WR Joey Galloway will miss this game with a groin injury. Coach Jon Gruden probably would have attacked a relatively young Seahawks' secondary if he had a healthy Galloway. He may need to rethink his approach now.
When the Seahawks have the ball
Rushing: Seattle will not make a decision until later this week on whether Alexander will play. He could miss this game and possibly another with a bone bruise in his knee. If necessary, Maurice Morris will replace Alexander, and he should get plenty of carries even if Alexander is in the lineup.
Morris isn't as complete a back as Alexander, but he shows good burst around the corner and is a threat in the open field. It will be critical for Tampa Bay's run defense to take good pursuit angles, regardless of who is in the game. That's something they did not do at times last week against Washington. If the front seven gets caught over-pursuing or getting too far upfield, both Seattle backs will cut back much like Washington RB Clinton Portis did on a 64-yard touchdown run last week. Seattle offensive coordinator Gil Haskel will test the Buccaneers' discipline by running counters, misdirection and draws.
Haskel also should look to run at RDE Simeon Rice as much as possible. Rice explodes off the ball, but he weighs 40 pounds less than LOT Walter Jones, and there isn't great depth behind him. Consistently pounding the ball at Rice allows Jones to use that size advantage to wear Rice down over the course of the game and keep him on his heels when the Seahawks drop back to pass.
Passing:
The Buccaneers' cover-2 defense is designed to prevent the big play by giving the corners safety help over the top, but expect Seattle to take some chances downfield early. While taking some shots in the vertical passing game may not result in any long gains, it will make the safeties respect the threat and play deeper. This will open up the underneath routes and the run. In addition, Tampa Bay didn't record a sack last week, and the Seahawks have one of the best offensive lines in the league. QB Matt Hasselbeck should have time to find his secondary receiver or throw the ball away when he doesn't feel comfortable attacking vertically.
Expect No. 3 WR Bobby Engram to have another productive day and bail Hasselbeck out when he gets into trouble. Engram is a crisp route-runner who excels at settling into the soft spots of zones like the Buccaneers' cover-2, and he rarely drops passes that he should catch.
Another way Haskel can keep Rice and Tampa Bay's front seven off balance is to run some screens, as Alexander and Morris are both threats to turn the short gain into the big play. However, Hasselbeck must be careful when dumping the ball off to his backs. OLBs Derrick Brooks and Ian Gold show good closing speed to the ball, and it will be extremely difficult to catch either should one of them intercept a pass in the flat.
When the Buccaneers have the ball
Rushing:
The loss of WR Galloway, who is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a groin injury, could have an even bigger impact on the Bucs' running game than it does on the passing game. Without Galloway, Tampa doesn't have a legitimate deep threat at receiver. RB Charlie Garner and FB Mike Alstott can expect to see plenty of eight-man fronts as a result. Alstott should have the most success when Seattle stacks the line, because he has the size and power to pick up yards after contact. But the Seahawks are awfully young at safety, and Garner has excellent vision. If the safeties get caught up in traffic or overpursuing, they could find Garner behind them.
WLB Isaiah Kacyvenski is starting in place of Chad Brown, who is expected to miss close to eight weeks with a broken ankle. Kacyvenski plays with a great motor, but he lacks Brown's athleticism and ability to make plays in space. Tampa Bay can take advantage by attacking the weak side with Garner. Garner has the elusiveness to make Kacyvenski miss and the speed to go a long way when he gets a seam. The key will be OTs Derrick Deese and Todd Steussie sealing DEs Grant Wistrom and Chike Okeafor. Both Wistrom and Okeafor are active against the run, and they will fight to maintain outside contain.
Passing: Seattle defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes should be looking forward to this matchup. Rhodes has the personnel to play aggressive man-coverage on the outside and bring pressure from all over the field. With Tampa Bay's offensive line still learning to play together and having problems picking up the blitz last week, look for Rhodes to be extremely aggressive.
Although QB Brad Johnson can force Rhodes to back off by finding the open man when he does face pressure, he must be willing to take the sack or throw the ball away when nothing is available. Johnson, who threw an interception and fumbled once last week, cannot give the explosive Seahawks' offense quality field position by turning the ball over.
WR Bill Schroeder will replace Galloway, and there should be a significant drop-off in what the Buccaneers can do with Galloway out. Unlike Galloway, Schroeder doesn't have the speed to challenge somewhat inconsistent DC Ken Lucas downfield. Without the vertical threat to stretch the field, WRs Michael Clayton and Tim Brown will have problems getting open underneath, where they are at their best. In addition, the safeties will be far more aggressive when they see receivers come over the middle, and FS Ken Hamlin times his hits very well.
Scouts' Edge
Tampa Bay's defense will help keep this game close early, but look for Seattle to pull away in the second half regardless of Alexander's status. The Seahawks will sustain some long drives by staying committed to the running game and taking what the defense gives them in the passing game.
Once the Buccaneers fall behind, defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will have to take more chances in an effort to create the big play or force the three and out. Hasselbeck will notice the shift in defenses and exploit man-coverage for big plays, because his offensive line should give him plenty of time to find the open receiver. In addition, Tampa Bay simply doesn't have the weapons at receiver to recover after falling behind.
This looked like a battle between one of the league's most balanced and explosive offenses and one of the league's most dangerous defenses, but a knee injury to Seattle RB Shaun Alexander could change that. While Seattle will continue to pound the ball between the tackles if Alexander can't go, backup Maurice Morris will have to step up or the offense could sputter.
Tampa Bay is dealing with an injury of its own, as WR Joey Galloway will miss this game with a groin injury. Coach Jon Gruden probably would have attacked a relatively young Seahawks' secondary if he had a healthy Galloway. He may need to rethink his approach now.
When the Seahawks have the ball
Rushing: Seattle will not make a decision until later this week on whether Alexander will play. He could miss this game and possibly another with a bone bruise in his knee. If necessary, Maurice Morris will replace Alexander, and he should get plenty of carries even if Alexander is in the lineup.
Morris isn't as complete a back as Alexander, but he shows good burst around the corner and is a threat in the open field. It will be critical for Tampa Bay's run defense to take good pursuit angles, regardless of who is in the game. That's something they did not do at times last week against Washington. If the front seven gets caught over-pursuing or getting too far upfield, both Seattle backs will cut back much like Washington RB Clinton Portis did on a 64-yard touchdown run last week. Seattle offensive coordinator Gil Haskel will test the Buccaneers' discipline by running counters, misdirection and draws.
Haskel also should look to run at RDE Simeon Rice as much as possible. Rice explodes off the ball, but he weighs 40 pounds less than LOT Walter Jones, and there isn't great depth behind him. Consistently pounding the ball at Rice allows Jones to use that size advantage to wear Rice down over the course of the game and keep him on his heels when the Seahawks drop back to pass.
Passing:
The Buccaneers' cover-2 defense is designed to prevent the big play by giving the corners safety help over the top, but expect Seattle to take some chances downfield early. While taking some shots in the vertical passing game may not result in any long gains, it will make the safeties respect the threat and play deeper. This will open up the underneath routes and the run. In addition, Tampa Bay didn't record a sack last week, and the Seahawks have one of the best offensive lines in the league. QB Matt Hasselbeck should have time to find his secondary receiver or throw the ball away when he doesn't feel comfortable attacking vertically.
Expect No. 3 WR Bobby Engram to have another productive day and bail Hasselbeck out when he gets into trouble. Engram is a crisp route-runner who excels at settling into the soft spots of zones like the Buccaneers' cover-2, and he rarely drops passes that he should catch.
Another way Haskel can keep Rice and Tampa Bay's front seven off balance is to run some screens, as Alexander and Morris are both threats to turn the short gain into the big play. However, Hasselbeck must be careful when dumping the ball off to his backs. OLBs Derrick Brooks and Ian Gold show good closing speed to the ball, and it will be extremely difficult to catch either should one of them intercept a pass in the flat.
When the Buccaneers have the ball
Rushing:
The loss of WR Galloway, who is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a groin injury, could have an even bigger impact on the Bucs' running game than it does on the passing game. Without Galloway, Tampa doesn't have a legitimate deep threat at receiver. RB Charlie Garner and FB Mike Alstott can expect to see plenty of eight-man fronts as a result. Alstott should have the most success when Seattle stacks the line, because he has the size and power to pick up yards after contact. But the Seahawks are awfully young at safety, and Garner has excellent vision. If the safeties get caught up in traffic or overpursuing, they could find Garner behind them.
WLB Isaiah Kacyvenski is starting in place of Chad Brown, who is expected to miss close to eight weeks with a broken ankle. Kacyvenski plays with a great motor, but he lacks Brown's athleticism and ability to make plays in space. Tampa Bay can take advantage by attacking the weak side with Garner. Garner has the elusiveness to make Kacyvenski miss and the speed to go a long way when he gets a seam. The key will be OTs Derrick Deese and Todd Steussie sealing DEs Grant Wistrom and Chike Okeafor. Both Wistrom and Okeafor are active against the run, and they will fight to maintain outside contain.
Passing: Seattle defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes should be looking forward to this matchup. Rhodes has the personnel to play aggressive man-coverage on the outside and bring pressure from all over the field. With Tampa Bay's offensive line still learning to play together and having problems picking up the blitz last week, look for Rhodes to be extremely aggressive.
Although QB Brad Johnson can force Rhodes to back off by finding the open man when he does face pressure, he must be willing to take the sack or throw the ball away when nothing is available. Johnson, who threw an interception and fumbled once last week, cannot give the explosive Seahawks' offense quality field position by turning the ball over.
WR Bill Schroeder will replace Galloway, and there should be a significant drop-off in what the Buccaneers can do with Galloway out. Unlike Galloway, Schroeder doesn't have the speed to challenge somewhat inconsistent DC Ken Lucas downfield. Without the vertical threat to stretch the field, WRs Michael Clayton and Tim Brown will have problems getting open underneath, where they are at their best. In addition, the safeties will be far more aggressive when they see receivers come over the middle, and FS Ken Hamlin times his hits very well.
Scouts' Edge
Tampa Bay's defense will help keep this game close early, but look for Seattle to pull away in the second half regardless of Alexander's status. The Seahawks will sustain some long drives by staying committed to the running game and taking what the defense gives them in the passing game.
Once the Buccaneers fall behind, defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will have to take more chances in an effort to create the big play or force the three and out. Hasselbeck will notice the shift in defenses and exploit man-coverage for big plays, because his offensive line should give him plenty of time to find the open receiver. In addition, Tampa Bay simply doesn't have the weapons at receiver to recover after falling behind.