Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Washington Redskins: Scouting report

Projected starters

BUCS OFFENSE

WR: Vincent Jackson

LT: Donald Penn

LG: Carl Nicks

C: Jeremy Zuttah

RG: Ted Larsen

RT: Demar Dotson

TE: Dallas Clark

WR: Mike Williams

QB: Josh Freeman

RB: Doug Martin

FB: Erik Lorig

DEFENSE

LDE: Michael Bennett

DT: Gerald McCoy

DT: Roy Miller

RDE: Daniel

Te'o-Nesheim

SLB: Quincy Black

MLB: Mason Foster

WLB: Lavonte David

CB: Aqib Talib

CB: Eric Wright

SS: Mark Barron

FS: Ronde Barber

special teams

PR: Roscoe Parrish

KR: Arrelious Benn

PK: Connor Barth

P/KO: Michael Koenen

redskins OFFENSE

WR: Josh Morgan

LT: Trent Williams

LG: Kory Lichtensteiger

C: Will Montogmery

RG: Chris Chester

RT: Tyler Polumbus

TE: Fred Davis

WR: Leonard Hankerson

QB: Robert Griffin III

RB: Alfred Morris

FB: Darrel Young

DEFENSE

LDE: Jarvis Jenkins

NT: Barry Cofield

RDE: Stephen Bowen

OLB: Ryan Kerrigan

ILB: London Fletcher

ILB: Perry Riley

OLB: Rob Jackson

CB: DeAngelo Hall

CB: Josh Wilson

SS: DeJon Gomes

FS: Madieu Williams

special teams

PR: Brandon Banks

KR: Brandon Banks

PK/KO: Billy Cundiff

P: Sav Rocca

Injury report

Bucs: Out — CB Anthony Gaitor (hamstring). Probable — CB E.J. Biggers (foot), CB Leonard Johnson (back), G Carl Nicks (toe), LB Dekoda Watson (chest).

Redskins: Out — CB Cedric Griffin (hamstring). Questionable — WR Brandon Banks (hip), WR Pierre Garcon (foot), T Trent Williams (knee). Probable — WR Leonard Hankerson (back), S Brandon Meriweather (knee), RB Evan Royster (knee).

Stat pack

4:25 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | Radio: 620-AM, 103.5-FM | Line, O/U: Bucs by 2, 47½

Rushing yards

passing yards

total yards

Rushing yards allowed

passing yards allowed

total yards allowed

Bucs

redskins

47.3 (1st)

92.0 (9th)

149.0 (30th) 223.7 (22nd)

243.7 (32nd)

404.4 (6th)

353.3 (32nd)

337.3 (31st)

400.6 (26th)

429.3 (30th)

94.7 (21st) 180.7 (2nd)

The Redskins enter second in the NFL in rushing offense, creating a unique matchup against the Bucs' top-ranked rushing defense. Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III has a lot to do with that. Washington uses creative option-style runs, but the Bucs defended them successfully against Cam Newton and the Panthers in Week 1.

Redskins' top offensive player

Robert Griffin III, the second pick in April's draft, has taken the league by storm after just three games. While he's a dangerous runner, he has been a more efficient passer than expected, completing 67 percent of his attempts with just one interception.

Redskins' top defensive player

With linebacker Brian Orakpo's season over (torn pectoral), veteran linebacker London Fletcher, left, must raise his level of play. Even at 37, he's the team's second-leading tackler.

What the Redskins do best

The running game is rolling. Robert Griffin III already has rushed for 209 yards, most among quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Alfred Morris leads all rookies with 263 rushing yards.

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How you beat the Redskins

Attack their secondary. The unit, led by former Bucs coach Raheem Morris, hasn't fared well. The Redskins have given up more than 300 yards passing to all three quarterbacks they have faced.

Bucs must avoid …

Coach Greg Schiano pointed out how the Redskins' aggressive, pressure-heavy defense pulls out all the stops on third and long. So the Bucs must avoid those situations by being efficient on first and second down. It hasn't happened this season.

Prediction Bucs 26, Redskins 23