Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Washington Football Team vs. Buccaneers Wild Card playoff preview, score prediction

By Jacob Camenker

Dec 20, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) and Washington Football Team nose tackle Daron Payne (94) lead their team onto the field prior to their game against the Seattle Seahawks at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) and Washington Football Team nose tackle Daron Payne (94) lead their team onto the field prior to their game against the Seattle Seahawks at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Oct 13, 2019; London, United Kingdom; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians and Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera shake hands after an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 37-26. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2019; London, United Kingdom; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians and Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera shake hands after an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 37-26. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Score prediction

This game should be closer than people think. Many are expecting the Buccaneers to run away with this game, but Washington’s defense is the great equalizer. They can exploit Brady’s greatest weakness and if that happens, this should be a one-score game.

Yes, the offense could implode and Washington could lose big even if they hold Tampa Bay to 20-25 points. But it’s not a foregone conclusion that they will be crushed.

In his career, Ron Rivera has a 2-0 record against Bruce Arians. He may be able to counter Arians’ offensive scheme with his defense and the clash of two of the stronger minds in football should be fun to watch.

It also just so happens that the last two teams to make the playoffs with a losing record, the 2010 Seattle Seahawks (7-9) and the 2014 Carolina Panthers (7-8-1, coached by Ron Rivera) won their playoff games. Granted, the Panthers got to play the Ryan Lindley-led Cardinals in that game, but the Seahawks knocked off the Drew Brees-led Saints in a shootout.

Washington probably won’t be lucky enough to win given the issues that the team has at quarterback. But if the defense shows up, they should keep this close and give the Bucs a scare. That would at least be something for Rivera and Co. to build on into the 2021 regular season.

I may be predicting a loss here, but fear not Washington faithful. No matter what happens on Saturday, the future is bright for this squad.

Three trades that could upgrade WFT's QB position. dark. Next

Score Prediction: Tampa Bay 22, Washington 17

Home/Commanders News