Buccaneers: Five Players that Must Step Up in the Second Half

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter looks down against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter looks down against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter hugs Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) after a football game at Raymond James Stadium. The Falcons won 43-28. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter hugs Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) after a football game at Raymond James Stadium. The Falcons won 43-28. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Who has to step up for the Buccaneers to make a run in the second half of the season?

More from The Pewter Plank

Dirk Koetter’s first eight games as head coach of the Buccaneers have been a roller coaster, haven’t they? We have seen the best of times, with solid wins over Atlanta in week one and San Francisco after the bye. The Bucs have even beaten the defending NFC Champion Panthers.

We have also seen the other side. The clock management has been “interesting” on more than one occasion, and we have seen them fall flat on their face against the Super Bowl champs.

Most recently we saw Tampa Bay fall pretty solidly at the hands of the Falcons, marking their first loss against Atlanta in two years. Heck, they can’t even figure out a way to win at home.

What a ride.

At 3-5, it’s going to take work for the Bucs to fight into playoff contention. Here are five players that must step up in order to make it happen.