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Three keys to a Washington Football Team victory vs. Buccaneers

By Jacob Troutman

Jan 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown catch against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown catch against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Montez Sweat (90) sacks Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nate Sudfeld (7) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Montez Sweat (90) sacks Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nate Sudfeld (7) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Pressure Tom Brady

The Washington Football Team has a clear strength on their team: Their defensive line. Washington’s defensive line has gotten red hot at the right time and is a big reason they went 5-2 down the stretch.

Here is another nugget that should give Washington faithful some hope: Tom Brady and the Buccaneers have struggled against good defenses, especially great pass rushes. Four of their five losses have come to some of the better defenses in the league. They got swept by the Saints, lost to the Bears, and the Rams defensive line clearly made Brady uncomfortable in a Monday Night football loss. Also, the Bucs lost to the Chiefs.

Four of the five games Tampa lost can be attributed to Tom Brady and the offense struggling against good defense and a good pass rush.

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To be frank, to truly give Washington a shot the defensive line is going to have to be special. Chase Young and Montez Sweat need to swarm Brady. Jonathan Allen needs to continue his elite play as of late. And Daron Payne needs to be Daron Payne and stop Ronald Jones. A Ryan Kerrigan sack in what may be his last hoorah with Washington would be pretty awesome as well.

The defensive line getting pressure not only clearly makes the immobile Tom Brady uncomfortable but it prevents Arians from doing what he wants. Make the big play. As I noted Bruce Arians loves to beat you deep.

Generating pressure when you just send four can help the defensive backs in the backend. They won’t have to cover for as long.

To truly give the Washington Football Team a chance, the defensive line is going to have to be really good. Pressure Tom Brady. If not, he will pick you apart.

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