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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: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS

As rough a game as Winston had for the Buccaneers, his weapons showed their value throughout the game.

When given a chance, the Tampa receivers and tight ends came through for their quarterback, and were the only reason there was a feeling the team could come back despite the big deficit.

It wasn’t until midway through the fourth quarter when the game was truly out of reach, and this speaks volumes about the skill position players the Bucs have running downfield.

We’re going to save the best for last, so let’s start with the biggest star. Mike Evans hauled in seven catches for 67-yards and went without a touchdown.

This may have been the hardest seven catches Evans has had in quite some time, as he was blanketed by defenders all game long.

Being harassed for most of the contest by the Vikings best defender, Xavier Rhodes, didn’t make things easy.

Still, he found a way to be relevant, and didn’t allow the Minnesota defense to get comfortable in their coverages.

The next biggest star in Tampa here is DeSean Jackson, and for good reason. While many hoped his first touchdown catch from Winston would come in the game against the Bears, it came here instead.

More significant to this game at least, his first score should’ve been his second. The interception thrown to Waynes earlier in the game, should have been a score as Jackson had the young corner beat with no help over the top.

In total, it was four catches for 84-yards and the touchdown score.

Cameron Brate had the interception saving catch in the first quarter, and if that weren’t enough to gain him some more Buccaneers fan-followers, he also brought in a touchdown catch while taking a concussion inducing hit from Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo.

Adam Humphries may not have scored, but man did he have a game.

The second highest catch total belonged to the third-year undrafted free-agent as he caught a total of six balls for 68-yards.

He had a solid screen play, and made a series of tough catches which gave the Bucs the little bit of life they clung to in the waning moments of the game.

Can’t blame the receivers here.

GRADE: B+

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