Buccaneers Round table: How the Bucs will beat Minnesota in Week 3

Buccaneers Round table: How the Bucs will beat Minnesota in 2017 Week 3

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Defensive back Robert McClain #36 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs into the end zone followed by teammates cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy #93 on his 47-yard interception for a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

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Michael Horan

If the Buccaneers win on Sunday, it’ll be because they got the supporting cast of pass catchers to play well.

Last week against the Chicago Bears it was mostly the Mike Evans show, with a few big plays mixed in from DeSean Jackson and the others.

While Evans had 7 catches for 93-yards and a touchdown, no other Buccaneers receiver or tight end had more than four catches or forty yards.

For the Bucs to have success against the Vikings they must expose the vulnerable cornerbacks that play opposite Xavier Rhodes, one of the best corners in all of football.

Must Read: Buccaneers Talk: Vikings preview and more

Rhodes will likely shadow Evans all day, so it will be on Jackson, O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate and the three or four other capable pass catchers to produce big plays.

In their blowout loss to the Steelers last week, the Vikings fell victim to Martavis Bryant while Rhodes followed Antonio Brown around.

Bryant had three catches for 93-yards and a touchdown, with third receiver Eli Rogers pitching in four catches for 43-yards.

The Vikings are excellent in run defense, and with Doug Martin out again it might turn into a pass-heavy attack for the Buccaneers.

We should expect to see several deep bombs to Jackson this week, and for the Buccaneers to win, they’ll need to connect on them.

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