Redskins vs. Buccaneers: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

Both losers of two straight games, the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be desperate to right the ship when they face off on Sunday.

Though the biggest story of Washington's season has been Robert Griffin III's scintillating play, the rookie quarterback has seemingly diverted scorn away from a porous defense. Coordinator Jim Haslett will need to get his unit together and fast if the Redskins hope to make a playoff push this season.

While Washington is focusing on improving its defense, the offense is the big deficiency in Tampa Bay. Quarterback Josh Freeman has carried over his struggles from 2011 into this year, completing a paltry 51.3 percent of his passes so far. 

With both teams in search of a much-needed victory, here's a look at everything you need to know about Sunday's game. 

When: Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

Watch: FOX

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Spread: Buccaneers -3 (Bovada)

Considering both teams come into Sunday's contest with a host of personnel problems and equal 1-2 records, this line makes perfect sense.

A three-point spread is the standard line given to the home team when both sides are considered equals, and through three weeks, that seems to be the case.

I just wouldn't expect that trend to continue on Sunday.

While the Bucs have been fine at stopping opposing offenses, they have also been anemic offensively. Even the team's biggest offensive output—Week 2 against the Giants—was catalyzed by turnovers.

On the other side of the field, no team has been able to properly stifle the RGIII-led Redskins offense. Look for that trend to continue on Sunday and the Redskins to win this contest, thus, covering the spread pretty easily.

Over/Under: 47.5 (Bovada)

Looking at the talent on the two sides of the field, this seems like a pretty easy under for me.

Though I expect the Redskins to prevail and cover the spread, it's highly unlikely that they drop 30-plus points on the Tampa defense. Instead, look for Washington's first lower-scoring contest of the season as the offense does just enough to win while not putting the defense in a bad position.

It's wholly possible that this game turns into an aerial attack as both teams flail in pass coverage, but expecting 48 points on Sunday seems like a fool's errand.

Feel safe taking the under here and collecting some free money.

Redskins Injury Report (via CBSSports)

WR Pierre Garcon, Foot, Questionable

WR Brandon Banks, Hip, Questionable

CB Cedric Griffin, Hamstring, Questionable

WR Leonard Hankerson, Back, Probable

S Brandon Meriweather, Knee, Questionable

RB Evan Royster, Knee, Questionable

Buccaneers Injury Report (via CBSSports)

CB E.J. Biggers, Foot, Probable

CB Anthony Gaitor, Hamstring, Questionable

CB Leonard Johnson, Back, Probable

LB Dekoda Watson, Chest, Probable

Big Fantasy Plays

Redskins: QB Robert Griffin III

By this point, everyone should plug RGIII into their starting lineup every week and refuse to pull him until the Redskins' Week 10 bye (barring injury). 

It's not only that Griffin has been better-than-expected thus far; it's that he's been the best fantasy quarterback in the league by far. With 209 yards and three touchdowns on the ground coupled with his surprisingly quick adaption into drop-back passing at the NFL level, Griffin has been every bit the dual-threat Washington hoped for when drafting him.

Though the Buccaneers' defense swallowed up a similarly skilled player in Cam Newton earlier this season, it has also struggled mightily in pass defense.

Expect Griffin to make big plays with one of his two elite skills and to continue his ascent up the fantasy charts.

Buccaneers: WR Vincent Jackson

While the Tampa offense has failed, so far getting many big plays through the air, it may find some solace this week against Washington.

The Redskins have given up 28 or more points in each of their games this season and have especially failed against opposing receivers. Rams wideout Danny Amendola burst into national prominence with a 15-catch game against Washington in Week 2, and Bengals star A.J. Green hung a career-high 183 yards on the team's secondary last Sunday.

Ostensibly, that should mean big things for Jackson, a player who has long vexed fantasy owners with his inconsistencies. After catching five passes for 128 yards against the Giants two weeks ago, the 29-year-old deep-threat seemed lost in the offense seven days later when facing the Cowboys.

Nevertheless, if there is any game for Jackson to have his second breakout performance as a Buccaneer, it's coming against the Redskins.

Key to Redskins Win: Keep Robert Griffin III Upright

If there is one hole you can poke in RGIII's brilliant rookie campaign, it's that the Washington offensive line may wind up putting him on the injury report.

According to the Washington Times' Stephen Whyno and Rich Campbell got knocked down a whopping 28 times last week against Cincinnati, one of which included a big-time concussion scare.

Obviously, getting hit on a regular basis is part of being a dual-threat quarterback and Griffin has been subject to such shots going back to his Baylor days. However, the team has to find a way to protect its quarterback, not only this week, but also going forward.

Eventually, those hits are going to lead to turnovers (see: Michael Vick) and thus lead to the opposition getting easy field position. If that means reining in the offense a little by holding an extra source of protection on the line, then so be it. 

Keeping Griffin safe is necessary for the long and short-term growth of this Washington team.

Key to Buccaneers Win: Find an Offensive Rhythm

As much as the cliched "defense wins championships" saying rings true, a team cannot compete in today's NFL without offensive competency. 

Through three weeks, there has been very little of said competency in the Greg Schiano era. Freeman has seemingly been reined in to the point he refuses to take downfield chances, and Doug Martin has looked no more explosive than LeGarrette Blount thus far. 

That has to change against a Redskins defense that has been nothing short of terrible this season. If not, the prospect of the Bucs as a sleeper team may just go completely down the drain. 

Prediction

It seems that Griffin has reached must-watch status among football fans, and this week should be no different.

Though this won't be the standard high-scoring affair we've gotten used to thus far with the Redskins, look for the scintillating rookie to make some necessary big plays late in the game.

The game will be relatively close, but not enough to make Washington fans sweat.

Final Score Prediction: Redskins 24, Buccaneers 17

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