Bucs Defense Faces Unique Challenge in Russell Wilson

Seahawks quarterback's rare skill set has him playing at an MVP level this season.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' porous pass defense has been carved up by the likes of Daniel Jones and Kyle Allen so far this season, so it's hard to overstate how excited Russell Wilson should be at the prospect of facing them Sunday.

Tampa Bay's defensive performance so far this season has been one of extremes, as the league's top rushing defense and its worst pass defense.

That should have the Seahawks throwing the ball plenty in Week 9, as they ride their MVP candidate of a quarterback in hopes of maintaining their lead in the NFC West.

For the Bucs, the task of stopping Wilson appears impossible, something multiple players all but admitted throughout the week. They know that simply containing Wilson is the best-case scenario.

"He's tough. He's one of the best in the game," Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles said on Thursday. "He's right up there. Extremely smart. His arm is just as good as his legs. He understands what they do very well. He's a winner; he's proven that, time and time again. He constantly comes at you, and creating pressure for you on defense, so it's gonna be a challenge for us."

NFL sack leader Shaq Barrett knows that against a versatile, athletic passer like Wilson, the Bucs have to rush smart instead of just rushing hard.

"We don't really have to change anything, because we're already rushing like a disciplined pass rush already," Barrett said earlier this week. "We just have to be aware on certain downs, we have to calm it down a little bit, because we don't want him getting out on a 3rd-and-15 and scramble for 15 yards. So, just certain downs we're gonna be more cautious, but we're still gonna get after him."

Wilson heads into Sunday's game leading the NFL with 17 touchdown passes, with just one interception. 

With a struggling secondary but a deep defensive line unit, the Bucs' only hope will be to take advantage of Seattle's sub-par offensive line, creating constant pressure and finishing sacks without letting Wilson break the pocket and extend plays.