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Buccaneers game grades: 2017 Week 3 loss in Minnesota

By David Harrison

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 31: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks into his headset from the sidelines during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins on August 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 31: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks into his headset from the sidelines during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins on August 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drops back to pass the ball in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drops back to pass the ball in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

QUARTERBACKS

The Buccaneers need quarterback Jameis Winston to start taking steps towards being the franchise leader they think he can be.

We all need him to, for the sake of fandom, sanity, or both.

This week, he didn’t take any steps towards the objective. Instead he took two and half big ones backwards.

The first half step back came in the first possession of the game for the Bucs. On third down, and in scoring position, Winston was under pressure.

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Growing as an NFL passer means he throws it away and keeps his team’s field goal shot alive.

Instead, this young quarterback threw a duck with the Vikings’ Brian Robinson bearing down on him.

Initially, it looked like an interception, but tight end Cam Brate saved him, and Tampa walked way with a field goal. This made it 3-7, Minnesota.

Later, with the Buccaneers driving again, Winston underthrew DeSean Jackson leading to a Trae Waynes interception.

The pass halted an otherwise strong drive, and took points off the board as the Bucs were in at least field goal range.

Finally, in the fourth quarter, Winston and star receiver Jackson certainly weren’t on the same page as Andrew Sendejo picked off another pass from the Tampa quarterback.

A third and final interception came in the fourth quarter, but by then, Winston is just trying to make anything happen.

Look, I’m not happy about throwing into triple coverage either, but if you’re going to do it, it should be to Evans.

There were a couple good moments, but not enough.

GRADE: D

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