Bruce Arians Warns Buccaneers They aren’t Playing a 7-9 team, They are Playing Alex Smith

Published 01/06/2021, 7:24 PM EST

Bruce Arians-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers sealed a spot in this year’s playoffs with a majestic win over 44-27 win over NFC South opponents, Atlanta Falcons, in Week 17. They secured the NFC fifth seed spot. In doing so, Tom Brady and Co. set up a tie against NFC East winners, Washington Football Team.

Ron Rivera’s boys ensured a spot in the playoffs with a narrow 14-20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. There was major controversy involved in that game. Philly coach Doug Pederson was criticised for ‘throwing away’ the game after benching rookie Jalen Hurts in the second half. But what went largely unnoticed was the performance of veteran quarterback Alex Smith.

NFL Playoffs Update: Cleveland Browns Dealing with Major COVID-19 Outbreak

Article continues below this ad

Bruce Arians wary of Alex Smith threat ahead of NFL Playoffs

Alex Smith is a WINNER.
Washington this season:
5-1 when Alex Smith starts
2-8 when Alex Smith doesn't start pic.twitter.com/6Zg8O40C5h
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) January 4, 2021

Since making a return to the NFL in 2020, QB Alex Smith has been used sparingly by Washington. Coach Rivera started the season with Dwayne Haskins as first-choice and Keenan Allen as a backup. Smith was third on the QB depth chart in the American capital. But he is expected to start on Sunday night at FedEx Field.

The Washington-based franchise will welcome a motivated Buccaneers outfit in the Wild Card Playoff round. But experienced NFL coach Bruce Arians is well aware of the threat posed by Alex Smith.

Article continues below this ad

“We’re not playing a 7-9 team. We’re playing a 4-1 team. When Alex Smith plays they’re a 4-1 team. We’re not playing Dwayne Haskins. We’re playing Alex Smith,” Arians told ESPN.

Despite finishing the season with a 7-9 record, Washington have looked solid when Smith is on the field. The exit of Dwayne Haskins proves that Rivera is a no-nonsense coach. He will place his faith on former number one pick, Alex Smith, on the weekend.

Article continues below this ad

With a defense led by pumped-up rookie Chase Young, Tom Brady’s Buccaneers have a game on their hands in January. Can they live up to expectations or do we have another upset on the cards?

“No Job is too big” – Heisman Trophy Winner DeVonta Smith Gives Inspirational Advice to College Kids

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Daniel Arambur is an NFL writer and content strategist for EssentiallySports.With more than 1,000 articles, he is one of the senior writers in the NFL cohort at ES. A mass media graduate from the University of Mumbai, Daniel has found the perfect blend of vocation and passion in the sports content niche.

Bruce Arians Warns Buccaneers They aren’t Playing a 7-9 team, They are Playing Alex Smith

Bruce Arians wary of Alex Smith threat ahead of NFL Playoffs

Trending

Jerry Jones Accused of Working Against Dak Prescott’s $60M Deal as Cowboys Refuse to Load Up Offensive Weapons

Despite ‘Losing Raiders’ Dressing Room’, Josh McDaniels’ Leadership Approach Inspired Davante Adams With ‘Realest Advice’

“It Was Trash”: Davante Adams Calls Out Jordan Love Critics After They Tried to ‘Bury’ Aaron Rodgers’s Back up at Packers

“Make Em Pay”: Caleb Williams Lights a Fire Under Brenden Rice to Force Antonio Brown’s Reincarnation for Chargers

Kyle Shanahan Tired of ‘Limited WR’ as Deebo Samuel Could Leave 49ers Instead of Brandon Aiyuk, as Per John Middlekauff