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Buccaneers game grades: 2017 Week 5 loss to New England

By David Harrison

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 5: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way off the field following the Bucs' loss to the New England Patriots at an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 5: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way off the field following the Bucs' loss to the New England Patriots at an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 5: Tight end Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hauls in a nine-yard pass from quarterback Jameis Winston while getting pressure from strong safety Patrick Chung #23 of the New England Patriots during the third quarter of an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 5: Tight end Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hauls in a nine-yard pass from quarterback Jameis Winston while getting pressure from strong safety Patrick Chung #23 of the New England Patriots during the third quarter of an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

The Buccaneers wide receivers and tight ends have been a bright spot all season long. Even when the team did poorly, this group of guys out-shined everyone else.

This week however, was a little bit different.

It isn’t something I’d expect to continue, but starting tight end Cameron Brate had four dropped passes in this one, including one which would have been a touchdown.

This is incredibly significant when you consider the Bucs came away with one of several missed field goals on the same drive, and of course lost by just five points.

Brate did end up bringing one in, but it went down as too-little-too-late unfortunately.

Also in the category of not enough, not soon enough, DeSean Jackson and Winston finally connected on a big play.

Not claiming to be a smart guy here, as I know I’m not the only one who’s been rallying for this, but his 41-yard play came on a short pass which Jackson used his athleticism to turn into a splash play.


Jackson and Winston connected just twice for 12-yards entering the final quarter of this game. This is due to the missed deep ball we talked about in the quarterbacks section of this post as well.

In the fourth quarter, Jackson brought in another three passes, including the big one and finished with 106-yards total. Even if he didn’t have any scores, it’s promising the two were able to get over the century mark at least.

Mike Evans didn’t have a bad night, but his fantasy owners probably aren’t going to be celebrating his five catch 49-yard night.

Must Read: Week 5 Immediate Reactions

Given the success Carolina’s larger receivers had against the Patriots defenders, it’s a little disappointing Evans wasn’t more involved.

Four drops, including a potentially game winning score hurts this groups grade, even with Jackson’s first 100-yard game as a Buccaneers player.

GRADE: C

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