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Buccaneers: Winners and losers from week eleven win

By Michael Horan

Mike Evans, wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Mike Evans, wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – AUGUST 17: Dawuane Smoot of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts to run past Donovan Smith #76 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason game at EverBank Field on August 17, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – AUGUST 17: Dawuane Smoot of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts to run past Donovan Smith #76 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason game at EverBank Field on August 17, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Losers

J.R. Sweezy

The Buccaneers have had some really strong performances from their offensive line this season, but very few of those have involved J.R. Sweezy. The expensive Buccaneer addition from Seattle was supposed to be a run-blocking extraordinaire but hasn’t been able to find any rhythm after sitting out all of last season with a back injury.

It’s not fair to single out Sweezy alone for the struggles of the Buccaneers’ run game, but he’s been the weakest of the bunch for most of the year and looks like a big free agent miss for Jason Licht. The Buccaneers will need to explore options at right guard if Sweezy’s play doesn’t improve over the final six games.

Robert McClain/Ryan Smith

The pass distribution for the Miami Dolphins was somewhat predictable this week. With Brent Grimes covering DeVante Parker most of the day and Vernon Hargreaves out with injury. the Dolphin quarterbacks peppered McClain and Smith with targets. Neither corner was able to contain Kenny Stills (seven catches for 180 yards and a touchdown), or Jarvis Landry (six catches for 95 yards and a touchdown).

Smith was drafted to be the long-term answer opposite Vernon Hargreaves, but it still remains unclear whether that can happen. On the bright side, Landry and Stills are tough match-ups for most back-up corners, and Smith did produce a highlight forced fumble on Landry. If Hargreaves is able to return next week the defense will return to rotating McClain and Smith opposite of Grimes.

Next: Buccaneers week eleven player of the game

Who were your winners and losers from the game, Buccaneer fans? Should Lavonte David or Mike Evans have a place among the winners this week? Sound off in the comments and let us know!

If you’d like to hear more Buccaneers discussion, be sure to check out the PewterCast’s InstantCast show for this week where several callers brought up the topic.  Available on all major podcasting apps.

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