Buccaneers vs Bears: Five game-changing players

DeSean Jackson

In the previous slide, we looked at Marcus Cooper’s potential impact in covering Mike Evans. But the Bucs can get production elsewhere, especially with the additions they made in the offseason. I’ll even quote myself:

"It’s feasible to think that the Bucs can still get by without a big day from Evans, but they may have to alter their game plan a bit if Cooper shows up in a big way."

One of the reasons Tampa Bay could still get by is the addition of DeSean Jackson. The veteran receiver signed with the Bucs in the offseason to play with Jameis Winston, and his decision to sign instantly made the offense more diverse. Winston was forced to throw the ball to Evans too often last year. It worked out more often than not, but it made the offense one-dimensional at times. Now, with Jackson in the mix, the deep ball is much more of a threat. His speed will give Tampa Bay another reliable option in the passing game.

If Evans can’t break free for the big plays that we usually see, Winston can now turn to other options. With Jackson on the other side, the third-year quarterback may be able to cut down on his turnovers by a considerable amount. He won’t have to force as many throws, which will be a major help. And the big-play, home run threat of D-Jax will be something that Chicago has to pay attention to. If he can take the top off of the defense, the Bucs will be able to get the offense clicking much quicker.

Next: Buccaneers and their fans in line for a statement game

Who do you think can change the outcome of Sunday’s game, Buccaneers fans? Let us know in the comments, on Twitter or on Facebook.