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Buccaneers at Dolphins: Five game-changing players for Week 11

By Bailey Adams

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: A view of a football during a preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sun Life Stadium on September 3, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: A view of a football during a preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sun Life Stadium on September 3, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Patrick Murray of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gets a hold from punter Bryan Anger #9 as he kicks a 49-yard field goal while getting pressure from cornerback Buster Skrine #41 of the New York Jets during the third quarter of an NFL football game on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Patrick Murray of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gets a hold from punter Bryan Anger #9 as he kicks a 49-yard field goal while getting pressure from cornerback Buster Skrine #41 of the New York Jets during the third quarter of an NFL football game on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Patrick Murray

The Buccaneers went through so many kicking woes in recent years that it felt like there was a curse. Maybe there was. But these days, fans can feel a lot more confident in the man they have kicking field goals. Patrick Murray returned to Tampa Bay on Oct. 15 and since then, he has been solid. He is seven-for-eight this season, with two of those makes coming from 40-49 yards out and two more from 50-plus. The Buccaneers offense struggles to finish sometimes, but with Murray in over Roberto Aguayo and Nick Folk, it’s usually a little more comforting to walk away from a drive with three points instead of zero.

In week ten, there was a legitimate case for Murray as the team’s player of the game. He connected on three field goals, keeping the Bucs in it when they couldn’t find the end zone. He is five-for-five on extra points as well, which shouldn’t be a huge deal (but it is, all things considered). There seems to be a growing confidence in Murray, which has to help the offense relax at least a little bit. If Sunday comes down to a field goal, the Bucs should feel good about Murray in that spot.

Even if Sunday’s game doesn’t come down to one score, Murray is someone that can help widen a game. Making field goals and simple extra points can be the difference between a close game and a comfortable one. With Murray, there is comfort when he trots out onto the field. That is far different than the feeling one got when Aguayo or Folk headed out for a kick.

Next: Buccaneers: Players met privately before Jets game

Who do you think changes the game on Sunday, Bucs fans? Let us know in the comments, on Twitter or on Facebook.

Check out the latest Walking The Plank Podcast below – recapping the Jets win, previewing the Dolphins, and discussing the Winston timetable.

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