Buccaneers vs Broncos: Five Game-Changing Players

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter looks on during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter looks on during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate (84) catches the ball for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate (84) catches the ball for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Cameron Brate

When Cameron Brate won the starting tight end job over Austin Seferian-Jenkins in training camp, some were surprised. Brate followed up with a strong camp, but a quiet start to the regular season. That quiet start ended in week three against the Rams. Just days after the release of Seferian-Jenkins, the Harvard grad caught five passes for 46 yards and two touchdowns.

His effectiveness in the red zone is what makes him a threat to change the game on Sunday. With a lot of attention focused on Mike Evans and the emerging Adam Humphries, Brate will be a big target this week. That will especially be the case in the red zone, where he has done most of his damage throughout the last two seasons.

Tampa Bay’s receivers will see some tough matchups this week, with former Buc Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. lining up on the other side. With that in mind, it might be a good idea for Jameis Winston to look Brate’s way a little more. The two developed a nice connection during training camp, so it would be big for the Bucs if they can translate that chemistry to game action this Sunday against the Broncos.