2012 Fantasy Football, Week 13 Game Previews: Tampa Bay at Denver
Week 13 Game Previews
Bucs @ Broncos
The Bucs had their 4-game winning streak broken last week at home vs. Atlanta, while the Broncos won their 6th straight game. Despite sitting at 6-5, the Buccaneers are certainly a playoff caliber team, having lost those 5 games by only a combined 23 points. The Broncos are 8-3 with their losses coming off a combined 22 points.
The issue for the Buccaneers in this game is that their biggest strength, stopping the run, is one of the Broncos biggest weaknesses. The Broncos won’t be looking to run the ball, they will be throwing all day, and the Buccaneers secondary has been atrocious at best so far this season. Like always for the Buccaneers, their ability to even attempt to slow down the pass hinges on Michael Bennett, Gerald McCoy, and the rest of the Bucs D-Line to put pressure on the QB.
Key Matchup: Tampa RE Da’Qwan Bowers vs. Broncos LT Ryan Clady
I obviously expect Clady to win this matchup, as he’s turned into one of the best pass-blocking tackles in the NFL, but if Bowers can create enough noise, it will allow McCoy to shoot the 3-gap a little easier, as he’s usually doubled teamed in the middle.
Since Buccaneers stud LB Lavonte David (who is a must-start now for IDP tackle-heavy leagues) can stop the run all by himself, it will be up to backup LB Adam Hayward who is filling in for LB Quincy Black who is on IR with a neck injury, to cover either TE Jacob Tamme or TE Joel “Salad” Dreessen (both TE might be decent options in deeper leagues this week).
Obviously Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas will have field days against the Bucs secondary, but don’t be shocked if WR3 Brandon Stokley finds paydirt this weekend.
On the other side of the ball, once again the matchup to watch will be in the trenches.
Key Matchup: Broncos RE Elvis Dumervil vs. Bucs LT Donald Penn
I assume many people remember the battle between Donald Penn and Jared Allen back on Thursday Night Football back in late October; Penn has been all-star caliber LT for the past couple of years and this battle in the trenches will likely set the tone for the Bucs passing game.
Key Matchup: Broncos CB Champ Bailey vs. Bucs WR Vincent Jackson
Jackson and Bailey certainly have plenty of history given Jackson’s 7 seasons with the Chargers. Since 2008, Jackson has 21 catches for 281 yards vs. the Broncos and 1 TD. Given that Bailey loses a step of his speed each year, Jackson has a very reasonable chance for a big game. That said, given the familiarity with each other, the wily veteran Bailey could get the better of him. If it sounds like I’m fence riding, it’s because I am. Jackson is in my Top-15 this week, but not my Top-10.
Key Matchup: Bucs RB Doug Martin vs. Broncos LB Wesley Woodyard
Much like Bucs LB Lavonte David (who won November’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month award), Wesley Woodyard is a one-man running game wrecking crew. Woodyard has been stuffing the stats sheet as of late, with 49 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 stuffs, 2 INT’s, a forced fumble, and 4 passes defended in his last 5 games.
Injuries:
Denver Broncos:
CB Tracy Porter was listed as Out on November 26th, Questionable on the 27th, and Probable on the 28th. Nobody has a damn clue if he’s playing or not.
Tampa Bay:
CB Eric Wright- Out, Suspended for violating leagues drug policy
Fantasy Start/Sit:
Start every Broncos WR (including Brandon Stokley)
Start Broncos LB Wesley Woodyard in IDP Leagues
Start Bucs LB Lavonte David
Start Bucs safeties Mark Barron and Ronde Barber
Start Bucs TE Dallas Clark in deeper leagues
Prediction:
Broncos 31 Bucs 27
Written exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com by Josh Kay. Send all your PPR questions to Josh on Twitter @JoshKay_Fantasy.
Bucs @ Broncos
The Bucs had their 4-game winning streak broken last week at home vs. Atlanta, while the Broncos won their 6th straight game. Despite sitting at 6-5, the Buccaneers are certainly a playoff caliber team, having lost those 5 games by only a combined 23 points. The Broncos are 8-3 with their losses coming off a combined 22 points.
The issue for the Buccaneers in this game is that their biggest strength, stopping the run, is one of the Broncos biggest weaknesses. The Broncos won’t be looking to run the ball, they will be throwing all day, and the Buccaneers secondary has been atrocious at best so far this season. Like always for the Buccaneers, their ability to even attempt to slow down the pass hinges on Michael Bennett, Gerald McCoy, and the rest of the Bucs D-Line to put pressure on the QB.
Key Matchup: Tampa RE Da’Qwan Bowers vs. Broncos LT Ryan Clady
I obviously expect Clady to win this matchup, as he’s turned into one of the best pass-blocking tackles in the NFL, but if Bowers can create enough noise, it will allow McCoy to shoot the 3-gap a little easier, as he’s usually doubled teamed in the middle.
Since Buccaneers stud LB Lavonte David (who is a must-start now for IDP tackle-heavy leagues) can stop the run all by himself, it will be up to backup LB Adam Hayward who is filling in for LB Quincy Black who is on IR with a neck injury, to cover either TE Jacob Tamme or TE Joel “Salad” Dreessen (both TE might be decent options in deeper leagues this week).
Obviously Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas will have field days against the Bucs secondary, but don’t be shocked if WR3 Brandon Stokley finds paydirt this weekend.
On the other side of the ball, once again the matchup to watch will be in the trenches.
Key Matchup: Broncos RE Elvis Dumervil vs. Bucs LT Donald Penn
I assume many people remember the battle between Donald Penn and Jared Allen back on Thursday Night Football back in late October; Penn has been all-star caliber LT for the past couple of years and this battle in the trenches will likely set the tone for the Bucs passing game.
Key Matchup: Broncos CB Champ Bailey vs. Bucs WR Vincent Jackson
Jackson and Bailey certainly have plenty of history given Jackson’s 7 seasons with the Chargers. Since 2008, Jackson has 21 catches for 281 yards vs. the Broncos and 1 TD. Given that Bailey loses a step of his speed each year, Jackson has a very reasonable chance for a big game. That said, given the familiarity with each other, the wily veteran Bailey could get the better of him. If it sounds like I’m fence riding, it’s because I am. Jackson is in my Top-15 this week, but not my Top-10.
Key Matchup: Bucs RB Doug Martin vs. Broncos LB Wesley Woodyard
Much like Bucs LB Lavonte David (who won November’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month award), Wesley Woodyard is a one-man running game wrecking crew. Woodyard has been stuffing the stats sheet as of late, with 49 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 stuffs, 2 INT’s, a forced fumble, and 4 passes defended in his last 5 games.
Injuries:
Denver Broncos:
CB Tracy Porter was listed as Out on November 26th, Questionable on the 27th, and Probable on the 28th. Nobody has a damn clue if he’s playing or not.
Tampa Bay:
CB Eric Wright- Out, Suspended for violating leagues drug policy
Fantasy Start/Sit:
Start every Broncos WR (including Brandon Stokley)
Start Broncos LB Wesley Woodyard in IDP Leagues
Start Bucs LB Lavonte David
Start Bucs safeties Mark Barron and Ronde Barber
Start Bucs TE Dallas Clark in deeper leagues
Prediction:
Broncos 31 Bucs 27
Written exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com by Josh Kay. Send all your PPR questions to Josh on Twitter @JoshKay_Fantasy.
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