Sam Bradford might start at quarterback for the Vikings against the Buccaneers on Sunday, but if his knee injury keeps him out the Vikings can at least know that Case Keenum has a history of torching Tampa Bay.
As bad as Keenum was against the Steelers last week, he’s been amazing against the Bucs each of the last two seasons while playing for the Rams.
- 2016: 14-of-26 for 190 yards, 2 TD
- 2015: 14-of-17 for 234 yards, 2 TD
Those are nice stat lines, but the Tampa Bay Times points out that Keenum beat them with the deep ball.
“Put it this way: Since the start of the 2015 season, Keenum has three touchdown passes of 43 yards or longer against the Bucs — 43 to Tavon Austin and 44 to Brian Quick last year, and 60 yards to Kenny Britt in 2015. Three such TDs in two games, and the rest of the NFL, in a combined 31 games, has matched that number — three total.”
Yes, Keenum has as many 40-plus-yard touchdown passes against the Bucs the last two seasons as the rest of the NFL combined.
Until proven otherwise, Keenum is Tampa Bay’s kryptonite.
“It’s hard to say, it’s a different team. Every year is a different team. I’m on a different team now. It’s hard to compare years,” Keenum said Wednesday when asked about his success with the deep ball against the Bucs. “Like I said, with this defense coming in, it’s a great defense and we’ll have to be at our best to do well.”
What’s more is that Tampa Bay’s defense is hurting. Their injury report Wednesday was loaded with defensive players.
- DT Gerald McCoy (ankle) did not practice
- LB Kwon Alexander (hamstring) did not practice
- DT Chris Baker (illness) did not practice
- DE Jacquies Smith (illness) did not prctice
- CB Brent Grimes (shoulder) was limited
It would be a big blow to the Bucs if McCoy and Alexander can’t play Sunday.
The only really bad play Keenum made against the Bucs last season was a pick-six, which was taken back for a touchdown by Alexander.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocGbp8hD2G0
