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Buccaneers vs Panthers: 5 Bucs to watch in Week 8 of 2017

By David Harrison

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Kendell Beckwith #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Kendell Beckwith #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 22: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks towards the sideline during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 22: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks towards the sideline during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Jameis Winston

Of course, the quarterback is going to be a player to watch for the Buccaneers. He’s going to be one for every game, every season, for the rest of the existence of the NFL.

As the only player who touches and can advance the ball on every down, Winston is the catalyst for everything the Bucs do.

Divisional games are just a bit bigger for quarterbacks though.

These defenses know you. The players have seen you before, and the coaches have schemed against you.

The first game is still a tough game, because there’s experience behind what your opponent is trying to do.

For Winston, in his first two years, it’s been all or nothing against the Carolina Panthers.

In 2015, it was two losses. Six combined interceptions and two touchdown passes.

2016 brought two wins, still just two scores, but only one interception to go with them. So it seems the quarterback got smarter than the defense the second trip around the block.

Time to see if the Buccaneers leader can take the next step to becoming one of the better quarterbacks in a talented division.

A big game from him means his team is in position to win. If history repeats itself, a win here means a win later, right?

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