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Buccaneers at Cardinals: Five game-changing players for Week 6

By Bailey Adams

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts as a 47-yard interception for a touchdown by defensive back Robert McClain was upheld on review during the second quarter of an NFL football game 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 reacts as a 47-yard interception for a touchdown by defensive back Robert McClain was upheld on review during the second quarter of an NFL football game Chicago Bears on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 16: Kicker Patrick Murray of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicks an extra point against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 16, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 16: Kicker Patrick Murray of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicks an extra point against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 16, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Patrick Murray

Last week, the Buccaneers really saw how a kicker can change the game. Well, really, they’ve seen that far too many times in the last few years. Nick Folk missed three field goals in a five-point loss to the Patriots. Earlier this week, Tampa Bay brought in Patrick Murray to hopefully solve the team’s kicking woes. If he can connect on his field goal chances on Sunday, it will put everyone’s minds at ease just a bit. Not only that, but he could certainly factor into the final score.

Murray was solid for the Bucs back in 2014. He has struggled with injuries since then, but is back to full health now. In that 2014 season, he went 20-for-24 on field goals. From 40-plus yards out, he was 11-for-13, including 5-for-6 from 50-plus yards out. If he can keep that consistency in his second stint with the team, it will be a huge deal. It feels like the Bucs are cursed at the kicker position. If Murray can break that “curse,” the organization should probably go ahead and put up a statue of him at One Buc Place.

The value of the kicker position can’t be overstated. Sure, 2-2 is nice enough, I guess. But the Bucs could really be 3-1 heading into a softer part of their schedule if they just had a more competent kicker. Dirk Koetter is definitely fed up with the struggles by now, considering his frustrations with it early in training camp. In Koetter’s words: “you’re a kicker. You’ve got to make your kicks.” If Murray can do so, he will be a big game-changer on Sunday.

Next: Yarcho's Pick Six: Buccaneers kick themselves down

Who do you think will change the outcome of Sunday’s game, Bucs fans? Let us know in the comments, on Twitter or on Facebook.

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