WFT Wild Card Pre-Game Thread
 

Beat the Cowboys twice, beat the Eagles twice, and won the division. This season has already exceeded most of our expectations.

Knocking Tom Brady out of the playoffs would be the ultimate cherry on top. They will likely win, but any given Sunday, and the NFC East has a good track record against Tom.

Note - It's really weird playing Brady in the playoffs. The world is slightly off with him in the NFC.

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I thought the Steelers would win too. Any given Sunday definitely applies here.

That being said, I consider myself realistic. Realistically, with Alex Smith limited and key guys playing injured, the odds are against us. I won't say never, but everything would have to go perfectly for us to have a shot to win on Saturday.

34-20 TB. As is tradition this year in our losses, we get blown out in the first half, something like 21-0, before we come back in the second half and make it interesting but ultimately lose by 2+ scores. Todd Bowles is gonna physically throw a kitchen sink at Alex Smith.

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Hope for the best and very happy with the potential and future of the team. We need a qb tho..

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[quote=mooby;1272183]I thought the Steelers would win too. Any given Sunday definitely applies here.

That being said, I consider myself realistic. Realistically, with Alex Smith limited and key guys playing injured, the odds are against us. I won't say never, but everything would have to go perfectly for us to have a shot to win on Saturday.

34-20 TB. As is tradition this year in our losses, we get blown out in the first half, something like 21-0, before we come back in the second half and make it interesting but ultimately lose by 2+ scores. Todd Bowles is gonna physically throw a kitchen sink at Alex Smith.[/quote]

We assuredly struggle in the first half if Smith is similar physically to how he was last night. Not only does his inability to run hurt his ability to complete passes, it allows the D to stack the box against our once-potent running game. If we want some balance in our attack, we need a running game and a QB that can make plays when protection breaks down. I am so pleased with what Smith has brought to this team ( he deserves every accolade), but this game at this juncture, demands a quarterback that brings more than 5-yard check-downs. As many have said, we are playing with house money at this point. I hope Rivera plays to win, vice playing not to lose badly. We lose, hands down, if Smith plays, as the offense is too limited. So what do we have to lose, other than finding out if the backup Qb is a Warner or a Sudfield. Put the ball in Heinicke's hands and let the kid play.

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Brady has struggled this year against good defenses. There’s tape out there about how to defend this offense. If Alex can manage the game like he did in the first half this week I think we have a shot. Our secondary is going to have to play the game of their lives though against their WRs.

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We just don't match up well with them on our side of the ball, their defense is fast and physical and we lack the speed outside other than Terry.. It's not impossible but it's also not likely we beat them. Chase and Sweat would have to be mad men out there all night. Great thing is , we have a playoff game to look forward too, it's an awesome feeling.

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[quote=SkinzWin;1272199]Brady has struggled this year against good defenses. There’s tape out there about how to defend this offense. If Alex can manage the game like he did in the first half this week I think we have a shot. Our secondary is going to have to play the game of their lives though against their WRs.[/quote]

I agree with you. If Washington can keep the Bucs off of Smith and he gets a little help from a running game I think your defense can keep Brady in check, you guys have a decent chance.

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The one thing we need to do happens to be the greatest strength of the Buccaneers...we need to run the ball and they have the best rushing defense in the league.

A big positive is their best player on defense Devon White is out...that’s big.

We have to run the ball...not maybe, not a little...we will have to run the ball to win.

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The WFT is going to get a big ass whooping of the year. Our offense is not good enough to compete against Bucs defense, there will be many 3 and outs series which will tire the WFT defense fast.

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Our D is going to have to ball the F out for us to have a shot. Could happen. I think the D also needs to score for us to win. I think Ron will have Alex on a short leash.

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Here's a surprising stat

JD McKissic had 80 catches! 2nd most on the team lol

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[quote=skinsfaninok;1272219]Here's a surprising stat

JD McKissic had 80 catches! 2nd most on the team lol[/quote]

Back in August if you told me he'd have 80 catches I would have believed it. If you told me Logan Thomas would have 72 I probably wouldn't have believed it.

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[quote=MTK;1272221]Back in August if you told me he'd have 80 catches I would have believed it. If you told me Logan Thomas would have 72 I probably wouldn't have believed it.[/quote]

Yeah for sure, he's always been a good scat back

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What would happen if we took out Brady? It could happen.

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Rivera said they have to consider rotating Alex Smith and Taylor Heinicke on Saturday. Playing an aggressive defense contributes to that thinking...

Keim

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[quote=SFREDSKIN;1272235]What would happen if we took out Brady? It could happen.[/quote]

He gets the ball out to quick, he's amazing in the pocket too.

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[quote=SFREDSKIN;1272235]What would happen if we took out Brady? It could happen.[/quote]

You know the refs won't let that happen.

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Washington head coach Ron Rivera said he could rotate Alex Smith and Taylor Heinicke against the Bucs on Sunday.
Smith, returning from a calf injury that kept him sidelined for two weeks, had limited mobility last week against the Eagles. It was clear he hadn't fully recovered from the calf issue. Rivera said the Football Team "definitely" had to consider rotating Smith with Heinicke




What!!!???

Re: WFT Wild Card Pre-Game Thread
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;1272237]He gets the ball out to quick, he's amazing in the pocket too.[/quote]

He gets flustered under pressure, it has been proven over the years. Their OL is ok, Young and Sweat are going to make him nervous. They do have good RB’s in Jones and Fournette (depends if he wants to play, instead of half assing it).

Re: WFT Wild Card Pre-Game Thread
 

Keim says:

Rivera has emphasized that he's not saying he will rotate the QBs, but something he will consider. Under what circumstances? Not quite sure yet...

Re: WFT Wild Card Pre-Game Thread
 

[QUOTE=skinsfaninok;1272236]Rivera said they have to consider rotating Alex Smith and Taylor Heinicke on Saturday. Playing an aggressive defense contributes to that thinking...



Keim[/QUOTE]That is what I think gives the team the best chance.

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I think u must start Alex and see how it goes. Gotta run the ball regardless who is QB, see if you can control the LOS and move the chains, posses the ball.

If we get behind and Alex is struggling...then pull him for a guy who has the ability to push the ball down the field.

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[quote=CRedskinsRule;1272242]That is what I think gives the team the best chance.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk[/quote]

I agree.

I watched the Bucs game against the Giants, one of their losable wins, and I think to have a shot we need to things :

-Our D to ball out, as has been said, and I think [I]Brady can be rattled a little bit[/I] if we bring lots of pressure.

-Our O to be able to take some shots downfield, because I think [I]their D's weakness is their secondary[/I]. So if sprinkling in a bit of Heinkicke to take some shots helps us move the ball, I'm all for it ! Especially if Alex isn't 100%.

Plus, we know we need every thing we can get to have a shot, so why not make it a little bit harder for them to gameplan on defense ?

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They have a good defense, and this WFT offense has been putrid of late. I don't see that getting better, especially if Alex is as immobile as he has looked recently. I don't see how they pull this off unless the defense scores - probably more than once, or at least gets multiple turnovers.

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I'm with Chico. Start Alex and see if the offense is able to move the ball - hopefully the defense keeps it close. If the defense can keep it close, stay with Alex, but if it feels like it could be getting away from them, I think they have to put in Heinicke just to make them defend the mobility of the QB.

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I hope they DON'T go in with the mindset of see how it goes with Alex. The game plan and mindset should be to intermix Heinicke from the start and make sure to mix up his playcalls along with Alexs. If they know Alex will only run and throw short you gain zero advantage by mixing in Heinicke. Our coaches are smart enough to know that, but will they apply it. Thats the question.

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[quote=FrenchSkin;1272244]I agree.

I watched the Bucs game against the Giants, one of their losable wins, and I think to have a shot we need to things :

-Our D to ball out, as has been said, and I think [I]Brady can be rattled a little bit[/I] if we bring lots of pressure.

-Our O to be able to take some shots downfield, because I think [I]their D's weakness is their secondary[/I]. So if sprinkling in a bit of Heinkicke to take some shots helps us move the ball, I'm all for it ! Especially if Alex isn't 100%.

Plus, we know we need every thing we can get to have a shot, so why not make it a little bit harder for them to gameplan on defense ?[/quote]

Antoine Windield and Whitehead are pretty good.

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[quote=CRedskinsRule;1272248]I hope they DON'T go in with the mindset of see how it goes with Alex. The game plan and mindset should be to intermix Heinicke from the start and make sure to mix up his playcalls along with Alexs. If they know Alex will only run and throw short you gain zero advantage by mixing in Heinicke. Our coaches are smart enough to know that, but will they apply it. Thats the question.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk[/quote]

I think the coaches will develop a passing gameplan for each qb based on their strengths and the situation of the game. I’d like to see Foster active for this game, we need speed

You know what I saw when Heineken entered the game, 4 vertical routes...down the field seem routes. Haven’t really seen that all year. And damn it if Heinicke wasn’t winding up and throwing it.

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Not sure we've ever seen rotating QBs on the pro level work out very well.

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[quote=MTK;1272251]Not sure we've ever seen rotating QBs on the pro level work out very well.[/quote]

Bruce Arians "When Alex Smith plays, they are 5-1 we are not playing Dwayne Haskins here"

Ouch

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I can't help wondering if the key may actually be mixing in more blitzes. Brady is good at handling the blitz with a good OL, but they'll be prepping to play us facing mainly 4 man rush and reliant on the secondary covering well enough to give pressure time to arrive. If we blitz more all of a sudden, will they cope with it? Or is that taking too much risk on the back end with the likes of Evans, Brown etc. getting open quickly?

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Dustin Hopkins in the last 6 games:

13 of 14, or 93%

Was good to see Rivera let him work through his shit this year. Ended the season good on 79% of his kicks, only slightly below his career mark of 83%.

Random thought I guess, but thought important to note that we should think of confidence in our kicker as high going into this playoff game.

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[quote=AnonEmouse;1272253]I can't help wondering if the key may actually be mixing in more blitzes. Brady is good at handling the blitz with a good OL, but they'll be prepping to play us facing mainly 4 man rush and reliant on the secondary covering well enough to give pressure time to arrive. If we blitz more all of a sudden, will they cope with it? Or is that taking too much risk on the back end with the likes of Evans, Brown etc. getting open quickly?[/quote]

Definitely blitz. I mean, they have been blitzing here and there. Brady is smart though, just have to pick your opportunities wisely and make sure it is well disguised.

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[QUOTE=MTK;1272251]Not sure we've ever seen rotating QBs on the pro level work out very well.[/QUOTE]New Orleans?

With qbs getting older and more protection it may become more of a useful tool.

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[quote=Chief X_Phackter;1272255]Definitely blitz. I mean, they have been blitzing here and there. Brady is smart though, just have to pick your opportunities wisely and make sure it is well disguised.[/quote]

Historically there will be ideas to draw from about how to attack Brady. The only thing I know is that we have to attack, if we sit back he will pick us apart. If we're gonna blitz we're gonna have to disguise our asses off. He's already very good at getting the ball out quick, so coverage will have to be tight from the snap.

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[quote=CRedskinsRule;1272260]New Orleans?

With qbs getting older and more protection it may become more of a useful tool.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk[/quote]

Miami did it somewhat well this year too.

Smith is very immobile though, if he takes the majority of the snaps he's gonna have to get the ball out quick. The longer a play goes the worse it will be for him.

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Start Alex and give him the 1st quarter to see how he looks. If he can't move and we're stagnant, put in Heinicke.

We're trying to win a playoff game here. Feelings don't matter. Can't afford to get down big against this team.

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If Alex Smith is no healthier than he was in Philly, we can't do what we need to do to win. As has been said here many times, we are indeed playing with House money in the first season of our team build. So, F it! What we need to do is throw caution to the wind on offense, go deep repeatedly, throw in some planned QB runs and RPO's, and break out some trick plays from page 342 of the playbook. Why? because we can't beat them playing straight up. No, we can't. Nobody is that lucky.

If Alex wants to play in this game, let him start and play his type of game. He deserves that. But if he struggles due to his injury, we need to go to plan B soon enough to win, if we're lucky enough to win that day.

This is probably a stupid idea but it is better than Hitler's plan to invade Russia.

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[quote=sdskinsfan2001;1272264]Start Alex and give him the 1st quarter to see how he looks. If he can't move and we're stagnant, put in Heinicke.

We're trying to win a playoff game here. Feelings don't matter. Can't afford to get down big against this team.[/quote]

I don't even "give" him the first quarter. Like you said, we are trying to win a playoff game, and deep shots help. My first play from scrimmage would be Heinicke on a bomb. My second play would be Alex and a bomb off of play action. From there let Alex run a fairly conservative offense and bring Heinicke in to run the same offense, with more routes that have bomb potential. (The assumption is Alex's calf and mobility will be at it's best in the first series).

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One thing I noticed during our 4 game winning streak is that Moses is much better on the left side. I wonder how Lucas would do on the right?