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Buccaneers vs Panthers: Five game-changing players for Week 8

By Bailey Adams

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks with head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers following the Buccaneers's 17-16 win over the Panthers at an NFL game on January 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks with head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers following the Buccaneers's 17-16 win over the Panthers at an NFL game on January 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: DeSean Jackson #11 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 Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: DeSean Jackson #11 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 Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

DeSean Jackson

The Buccaneer offense managed to get going this past week. It put up 27 points on what was the best scoring defense in the league. Veteran DeSean Jackson played a part in that, catching five passes for 73 yards. Jameis Winston did finally find him on a deep ball, one that would’ve gone for 50 yards if not for a holding penalty. It seems like Tampa Bay is finally finding ways to get Jackson involved, as he has caught five passes for 70-plus yards in two of the past three weeks. He is always a deep threat- if Winston can get it to him- but is also finding other ways to contribute.

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Mike Evans and Cameron Brate are constant threats, which allows D-Jax to get some support. His speed is a huge weapon. Not only can he be an asset for the deep ball, but his work in open space has provided the Bucs with some big plays in the last few weeks. Winston has targeted Jackson at least six times in every game this year. He only has two touchdowns this year, but the fact that he can make plays from any spot on the field makes him dangerous.

The Carolina defense has allowed the eighth-most passing yards in the league, the fifth-highest completion percentage and the sixth-highest passer rating. That could allow Winston and his receivers to team up for a big day on Sunday. Plus, Jackson is somewhat of a Panther-killer in recent years. Over two games in 2015 and 2016, he caught 12 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown. Watch for him to be a big factor in Sunday’s big divisional matchup.

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