Buccaneers vs. Redskins: What's the Game Plan for Washington?

The Washington Redskins' strong start to the season seems like a distant memory. Doesn't it?

A 2-2 start has been undone by turnovers and a change in fortunes in the running game on both sides of the ball. Not to mention, the team's long-documented woes on the road.

Washington's 34-20 Week 6 defeat at the hands of the New York Jets brought the team's road record under head coach Jay Gruden to a dismal 1-10.

Returning to the friendly confines of FedEx Field, the Skins will meet up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 with revenge on their minds.

Tampa earned one of its two victories in 2014 at Washington's expense, a 27-7 blowout.

The NFC East crown is still within reach for the Skins. But with road treks looming against the undefeated Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots, the team is in a must-win spot.

How will it respond? Let's find out. Here is the Week 7 game plan for Washington.

Offensive Game Plan

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Six games into the 2015 campaign, it's evident Kirk Cousins is the same quarterback. Put the ball in his hands, he'll turn it over. His four two-interception games this year speak to this.

With that said, the running game has to get back on track for Washington. 

Really, in light of the team's recent showings, an average performance would be welcome at this point. The team has just 85 rushing yards combined the past two weeks.

As luck would have it, though, Tampa will bring the NFL's 25th-ranked run defense into this bout.

Additionally, Matt Jones is slated to make his return to the lineup after a one-game hiatus. This is in addition to the return of star tackle Trent Williams and tight end Jordan Reed. Reed alone will make the Bucs respect Washington's play-action game.

Success may not come right out the gate for the Skins. But with a staunch commitment to the run—in the neighborhood of 40-plus carries—the Bucs defense will wilt late.

Defensive Game Plan

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After a torrid start, Washington's reinvigorated defense has fallen back to earth in recent weeks. Namely, against the run.

Once at the top of the league leaderboard for rushing defense, the Redskins are currently 23rd against the rush.

What happened, right?

Well, let's start by recapping the backs the team held in check to start the season.

Washington's strong numbers against the run to start the year were built against the likes of Tre Mason, Lamar Miller, Rashad Jennings and an underutilized DeMarco Murray.

Matched up against two of the league's top backs, Devonta Freeman and Chris Ivory, the past two weeks, the Redskins were simply ran over. The team allowed a combined 397 yards on the ground.

Next up, Doug Martin, the NFL's seventh-leading rusher in yards per game.

To end its struggles, it'll start along the defensive line for Washington. With the defensive line failing to penetrate or occupy blockers, opposing offensive linemen have been able to reach the team's linebackers on the second level in recent weeks.

In light of this, run blitzing could be an option defensive coordinator Joe Barry utilizes to stem the tide. Aiding his cause will be the Bucs' rather predictable running game. Per ESPN.com, over 62 percent of Martin's runs come on first down.

Then there's Tampa's play calls out of the I-formation. Martin has 25 carries out of the said formation. The important number here is the passing attempts, though, or lack thereof. According to ESPN.com, Jameis Winston has yet to attempt a pass out of this formation in 2015.

Can you say run key?

On to the pass defense. Turning over Winston has to be the team's chief priority. To add to Winston's interception tally—currently at seven—Washington should utilize more zone coverage.

When defenses have fewer than three defenders on the defensive line, Winston is simply ineffective. In addition to a lackluster completion percentage (56 percent), the majority of his negative plays have come against this front. He's been sacked 11 times and thrown all seven of interceptions against this look.

In comparison, Winston has been sacked just six times against the blitz.

The Redskins already aren't a big blitz team to begin with. Looking at these numbers, Barry can sleep easy knowing he won't have to leave his comfort zone much to coral the Bucs offense.

Key Players and Matchups

Bashaud Breeland vs. WR Mike Evans

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As a rookie, Mike Evans ran roughshod over Washington's maligned secondary. Taking advantage of blown coverages—and believe it not, linebackers in coverage—Evans compiled seven receptions, 209 yards and two scores.

In 2015, Evans finds himself in a sophomore slump. Through four games, he has just 13 receptions for 174 yards. Let's not get it twisted, though, this isn't a Sammy Watkins situation. He's second on the team with 33 targets, 17 of which came in one game.

With Chris Culliver and DeAngelo Hall slated to miss this contest, Bashaud Breeland is the Redskins' No.1 corner by default. Even with that said, his performance the past two weeks has been noteworthy.

He's posted an interception in back-to-back weeks, in addition to forcing a fumble. With Will Blackmon getting safety help over top to deal with Vincent Jackson, Breeland will have to hold his own in this matchup.

LB Trent Murphy/Preston Smith vs. OT Donovan Smith

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Pressure breeds mistakes. This is especially true in regards to rookie quarterbacks. But as we detailed above, to get pressure on Winston, Washington doesn't need to manufacture heat.

With the youth Tampa Bay has up front, there are one-on-one matchups for the Skins pass-rushers to exploit. Chief among them is the matchup between rookie tackle Donovan Smith and Trent Murphy/Preston Smith.

Smith, a second-round pick out of Penn State, has had his slip-ups in pass protection this season.

Case in point, Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars:

"

Scouting report on Donovan Smith in pass pro = go inside. Dude looks like he's sleeping https://t.co/M4HplLArd7

— Brandon Thorn (@VeteranScout) October 12, 2015"

Murphy and Smith have only produced three sacks in six games. But in light of Smith's shortcomings in pass protection, the duo should live in the backfield in Week 7.

Prediction

Scoring and running the football have been problem spots for the Redskins of late. 

But consider the Bucs as the elixir to this problem. Tampa is 31st in the NFL in scoring defense and 25th against the run. Despite its recent bye week, it is still in the bottom third of the league in giveaways (10).

With inexperience and a dearth of talent standing as the main reasons for Tampa's shortcomings here, there's little reason for Washington not to capitalize on this matchup. 

Even in their injured state, the Redskins have been able to force turnovers. The team has forced six the past two weeks alone. 

Given favorable field position, Washington's offense will be able manufacture just enough points to hold off a late Tampa Bay rally.

Prediction: Redskins 23, Buccaneers 20

Injury statuses courtesy of ESPN's John Keim.