The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Buccaneers: Five players to watch when Tampa Bay hosts Jets Week 10

By Sean Eck

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 8: Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 8, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 8: Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 8, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Outside linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 21 yard fumble recovery against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Outside linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 21 yard fumble recovery against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Lavonte David

Last year David tied for the league lead with 17 tackles for loss, the most among linebackers. Added 87 tackles, 5.0 sacks, one interception (returned for a touchdown), four passes defensed, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His four forced fumbles tied for seventh in the NFL. This season he has already forced four fumbles, but other than that he has not been the same caliber of player.  This might be because the Buccaneers as a whole have struggled or that he is just now getting healthy after missing two games earlier in the year.

Since 2012- current David has 507 solo tackles which are the most in the NFL during that span.  This is a crucial component to the Buccaneers Success.  David will have to be at the top of his game and add to that total if the Buccaneers want to have a chance to win.  He will be tackling mostly Matt Forte and Bilal Powell as the Jets could be looking to control the clock and keep their defense fresh and off the field.

David has been one of the best players in the NFL at forcing and recovering fumbles, tying for the fifth-most forced fumbles and tying for the second-most fumble recoveries in the NFL since 2012. Neither Jets running back have fumbled the ball this season, and David could be the one to put a blemish on their perfect season.

Home/Bucs News