The Rise of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
After getting bombarded to the Atlanta Falcons on a Thursday Night in early November, it seems as if the sleeping giant has been awake ever since. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are riding a 4-game win streak ever since a 3-5 start. They are now 7-5 on the year and currently hold the #6 seed in the NFC.
Because of their winning streak, they have been rewarded a Sunday Night football game for week 15 at the Dallas Cowboys. The prime time game that week was supposed to be the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals.
The defense has played a lot better by only giving up 53 points in the last 4 games. They have also forced more turnovers as well. On the year so far, the defense has 29 sacks, 11 interceptions, and 3 defensive touchdowns.
On the offensive side of ball, Jameis Winston is playing with swagger right now and the rest of the team is following. Winston has 3,180 passing yards along with 23 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Mike Evans has 76 catches for 1,058 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns.
Ever since Vincent Jackson went down, Tampa Bay has struggled to find a solid number 2 target. So Winston has started trusting tight end Cameron Brate more. He has 47 catches for 528 yards receiving and 6 touchdowns.
Doug Martin has been out most of the season with injury, but he still leads the team in rushing with 313 rushing yards.
The New Orleans Saints (twice), Dallas Cowboys, and Carolina Panthers are the remaining games on their schedule. It is very possible they make the playoffs as a 9-7 or 10-6 team.
