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Buccaneers: Week three winners and losers versus Vikings

By Michael Horan

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on from the sidelines 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: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on from the sidelines 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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball for a touchdown over defender Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter of the game on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball for a touchdown over defender Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter of the game on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Losers

Vernon Hargreaves and Ryan Smith

I try to be a patient person when to NFL prospects. When Vernon Hargreaves was constantly getting whipped up and down the field last year, I was quick to point out that cornerback is a difficult transition from college to pro, and that we need to let him grow. Yet, here we are after the first two games of the season, and Hargreaves is still struggling to cover NFL wide receivers. 

The Viking receivers, from the get-go, thoroughly pistol-whipped both Vernon Hargreaves and fellow corner Ryan Smith. With veteran star Brent Grimes out, the responsibility to slow down Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen fell on the two young corners, and they failed spectacularly. Even had things gone better on offense it would have been tough for the Bucs to pull this one out given how much yardage the Bucs bled to Case Keenum and the Vikings passing game. Diggs finished with eight catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns, while Thielen nabbed 5 catches for 98 yards.

God help the Buccaneers if Brent Grimes has to miss extended time.

Jameis Winston

The Buccaneers generally don’t have much of a chance at winning week to week if Jameis Winston appears on this list. He certainly earned it today. Winston’s accuracy was all over the place, and his decision making was about as bad as it’s ever been, and we know how questionable that’s been in the past. We’ve seen worse performances from Winston, but few so disappointing as this one.

Winston’s final line was 28-40 for 328 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Had the Buccaneer defense played better maybe things could have worked out differently, but his interceptions were back-breaking and stole any momentum that the team was building. The worst came late in the game with five minutes remaining. The Buccaneers trailed 34-17 with a faint hope at coming back, but Winston forced a pass to Evans in quadruple coverage that was picked off by safety Harrison Smith.

It was a forgettable game altogether for Jameis Winston, and he simply must get his decision making and accuracy under control if the Buccaneers want to compete with the top dogs in the NFC this season.

Next: DeSean Jackson goes on twitter rant in response to Trump

Who were your winners and losers, Buccaneer fans? Sound off below in the comments and let us know!

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