Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Auto Racer Jeffrey Earnhardt Excited to Make MMA Debut

Texans - Bucs: Three key matchups when Tampa Bay is on defense

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 09:   Mason Foster #59 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after he recovered a fumble during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California.  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Here are my three key matchups for the Bucs defense on Sunday. 

Mason Foster vs Arian Foster
Foster v Foster. This will be a key matchup both in run defense and in the passing game. Against the Saints, Mason Foster chased after Darren Sproles on passes while he couldn't stop much in the run game. If the Bucs want to stop the Texans offense, that has to change. Foster has to get off of blocks and stop Foster, while he can't afford to let him run wild on receptions. 

The alternative, of course, is to go to mostly zone coverage - but that would turn this matchup to Mason Foster vs Owen Daniels. I'm not sure which is better for the Bucs. 

Star-divide

Brian Price vs Houston offensive line
The key to stopping the Texans running game is to get penetration. The best player to do that on the Bucs defense may be Brian Price, who was drafted as a penetrating defensive tackle to disrupt the pass and run game. Price has been slowed by injuries in his career so far, but has shown flashes of his disruptive ability. 

If the Bucs want to stop the Texans' run game, they need more than flashes. They need consistent disruption out of Brian Price and even Albert Haynesworth

Tanard Jackson vs Rushing offense
While Tanard Jackson has been a boon to the Bucs' pass defense, he has looked bad in run defense. He has consistently missed tackles and hasn't looked sharp filling holes in the run game. 

Comment 3 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

No one on defense has looked sharp lately.

Not expecting much from the defense either!

East Coast Fan

by Bucfan on Nov 12, 2011 4:49 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

Andre Johnson is out Sunday

That should help the secondary.

by flash_kiley on Nov 12, 2011 5:27 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to Bucs Nation, SBNation's home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Your one stop for Buccaneers info, opinions and more.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Images__1__small
The Tampa Bay area is high on something.
Tampa_bay_buccaneers_old-320x480h_small
The Nostradamus effect for the NFC East.
Deviltricky_small
Soldier of mis-fortune?
Tampa_bay_buccaneers_old-320x480h_small
The Nostradamus effect for the NFC south
Small
All-time NFL Draft on MtD
Small
First three draft pick positions 2013.
Derrick-brooks-pic_small
Assessing the Buccaneers offense part 1, The Quarterback.
065_small
Blount versus Martin
Images__1__small
A post to make our Bucs down time a little more easier.
Small
Ronde to FS could help our defense immensely......

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Follow us on Twitter


General Managers

Nfl_tampa_bay_buccaneers_1_small Buc Wild

Footballav_small Sander

Head Coaches

Wku_1__small LeeCaz

Assistant Coaches

Green_bay_packers_v_tampa_bay_buccaneers_qaxeamkamowl_small jarldg

Ryan_and_the_boys_small T-Jack

Australianraven_small RookTakesYou

Me_small KRoa

Jason_sports_small_head_small JCDeLaTorre