Jaguars: 5 Questions about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By David Levin
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to control their own destiny as the playoff picture continues to fade and the end of the NFL season draws closer.
Just like Brandon Simes of The Pewter Plank wrote this week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to win their second straight game as they face the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend from TIAA Bank Field.
The Jaguars, who have lost three straight games and have been outscored 101-33 in those meetings have also surrendered 200-plus yards rushing in each contest. It has made for a very tense week here on the St. Johns River as speculation about the team’s future, the coaching staff and the front office have overshadowed what’s about to happen on Sunday.
"“This season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been a disappointment but there have been plenty of positive things to think they might have a bright future,” Simes writes. The remainder of this season will be much like a tryout for some players on the roster. Last week against Falcons the team showed some real potential.”"
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The same can be said for the Jaguars, a team barely holding onto playoff hopes and trying to keep themselves from drowning the remainder of the season. While EVP Tom Coughlin criticized the team’s efforts over the past three games, he did say he saw potential in the roster to get back to the franchise’s 2017 form.
We may be holding our breath a bit on that one if the defense cannot stop the run and the team cannot avoid costly penalties.
The staff here at Black and Teal had a chance to sit down with Cory Kinnan of The Pewter Plank, the website on FanSided.com for everything to know about the Buccaneers. Here is what he had to say regarding Sunday’s game.
What has been your impression of the play at quarterback? Will this be Jameis Winston’s final season in Tampa? That is still up in the air. Obviously, he [James Winston] has six games left without a new deal, but there have been no indications that the coaching staff is losing faith in or commitment to him. For better or for worse.
While he is second in passing yards and top five in passing touchdowns, he also leads the league with 20 picks; just with his play, there is really no way to tell how the organization will handle him, but I wouldn’t bet against him being back in Tampa next season.
What makes having Bruce Arians as coach of the Buccaneers better for the organization? Quite frankly not much thus far other than the players seem willing to run through a wall for him. His [Bruce Arians] personnel and game management have been suspect this season, and he has not lived up to the lofty expectations that many thought he would achieve in his first season.
Which rookie has stood out for you this season and why? The rookie class has been semi-underwhelming this season, but have come along over the past couple of weeks. Devin White finally looks like a first-round pick, but the most impressive guy has been third-round cornerback from Auburn Jamel Dean.
He is by far the biggest player in the secondary and has led the team in pass break-ups over the past three weeks, despite only playing in two.
How does this team stop Leonard Fournette this weekend? The Buccaneers run defense has been surprisingly stout this year as they rank atop the league in that category.
Vita Vea has played like an absolute monster in the interior this year, which has allowed linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David to thrive under Todd Bowles’ defense this year.
However their pass defense has not been good, so to answer the question: the Buccaneers stop Leonard Fournette this weekend if the Jags cannot provide a threat through the air.
The Buccaneers win on Sunday if? The Buccaneers win on Sunday if Jameis Winston limits his turnovers to two. This offense with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin is explosive, but they have lacked rhythm, mainly due to turnovers.
Next. Jaguars face the Buccaneers: 3 Bold Predictions. dark
So if Jameis can keep the football out of the hands of the bad guys, then the Bucs could be looking at a favorable outcome.