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

By David Harrison

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)
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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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 24: Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 24: Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

James Yarcho

If the Buccaneers beat the Vikings it will be because the offense is able to utilize all the weapons they have at their disposal effectively. The big match-up that we’ve all been talking about is Mike Evans vs. Xavier Rhodes. Is Rhodes is able to continue his elite level of play, Evans may be in for a tough day.

Unlike last season, he’s not the only option out there. DeSean Jackson, Cam Brate, Adam Humphries, even Chris Godwin and O.J. Howard will see opportunities to make plays in mismatches with the focus being on Evans. Jackson will garner some double teams should the Vikings feel Rhodes can take care of Evans without any help, but that still leaves Brate, Humphries, Howard, and Godwin – all of which are capable of turning this game on its head.

As I said on the Walking The Plank Podcast, I believe Cam Brate will be the favorite target of Jameis Winston on Sunday. He and Winston have a rapport and Jameis trusts him in crunch time. Those third down passes that are usually headed Evans’ way could be headed towards Brate instead. Humphries has a knack for finding the sticks and ensuring he gets a yard past them.

That’s the key. Move the chains and get into the red zone. Once the Bucs are in the red zone, inside the fifteen, inside the ten, all bets are off. As good as Rhodes is, I’ll take my chances with a jump ball to Evans in the end zone against any corner in the league. Just need that chance. It’ll all boil down to whether or not Winston can take advantage of the other match-ups in this game and not default back to force feeding Evans all day.

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