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Buccaneers Fantasy Football options for Week 3 against the Vikings

By Douglas O'Connor

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws against the San Diego Chargers during the first half at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws against the San Diego Chargers during the first half at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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After a Week 2 fantasy football misfire I look to bounce back as the Buccaneers travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings.

The Buccaneers may not have done what I thought they would in fantasy football for Week 2, but this week gives us all another shot at fantasy success. Let’s look at the picks.

Start

Jameis Winston

I don’t expect much from the Buccaneers running game this Sunday in real life or fantasy football. The Vikings defense is good enough to keep their team in games. These two factors will have Winston throwing the ball more, especially in the second half.

Minnesota has the athletes in the secondary to keep up with any of the Bucs receivers, so singling one out to have a big fantasy game is a total crap shoot. Look for Winston to spread the ball around getting it to his weapons not named Evans or Jackson. Cameron Brate, Adam Humphries, Chris Godwin and O.J. Howard will get more targets this week as Vikings defense tries to keep everything in front of them and lean heavily on their pass rush to end Buccaneer drives. If Winston is accurate with the ball and takes what the defense gives him he will be able to move his offense down the field.

Box Score: 27-36 for 291 yards and 2 touchdowns

Must Read: Beckwith gets another turn

Sit

O.J. Howard

Although Howard saw the field a ton during week one vs Chicago, not surprisingly he was used mostly as a blocker, giving him zero fantasy football value. There will be a week when Howard splashes and has a 70 yard, 2 touchdown game, but not this week.

The Vikings front-four might be most talented pass rushing group the Bucs face all season. Hence keeping Howard in as a 6th offensive lineman to keep Winston upright will be his first priority.  The Bucs offense has enough weapons without Howard to move the ball if Winston gets time and O.J. is key in giving it to him. Not to say that he will be ignored in the passing game all together. It’s just not his week to shine offensively.

Box Score: 2 catches for 37 yards 0 touchdowns

Sleeper

DeSean Jackson

I wrote earlier that picking a Bucs receiver to have a big game against the vikings this week is a crap shoot, but isn’t that what a sleeper pick is all about?

Jameis Winston went deep to Jackson three times in week one with 0 completions, but it only takes one for a 3 reception 50 yard game to turn into a 4 reception 104 yard game with 1 touchdown. Mike Evans will be a must start every week, but his match up with Xavier Rhodes, a big, long, physical corner is a tough match up. Possibly sending more balls Jackson’s way. After week ones misfires I’m confident that Winston to Jackson deep ball was a point of emphasis during practice. Buccaneer head coach Dirk Koetter has gone on record saying that DeSean Jackson is in Tampa to take the top off of the defense. This could be the week that it happens.

Box Score: 7 receptions for 133 yards 1 touchdown

Next: What are the Vikings' Strengths and Weaknesses?

This is my outlook on how the Buccaneers players should fare in fantasy football this week. Give them a look, and let me know how you think these guys will produce in Week 3!

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