Buccaneers’ Winston not medically cleared, Fitzpatrick to start vs Falcons

Buccaneers fans didn’t have to wait long to find out Jameis Winston will not be their starting quarterback Week 12 in Atlanta.

Following the announcement by head coach Dirk Koetter, it’s clear the Buccaneers will be looking for a third straight victory under veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick in a critical divisional match-up.

The team finally got their first road win of the year after falling short against the Vikings, Cardinals, Bills, and Saints previous to their Week 11 win over the Dolphins.

Winning in Miami also gave the Bucs their first winning streak of 2017, a streak they’ll look to push to three against Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons.

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Despite being 4-6 at this point, Tampa Bay still has four games in their last six against divisional opponents, and one later this year against the suddenly dysfunctional Green Bay Packers.

While Fitzpatrick is undefeated as a starter for his team this season, both wins have come against less-than-stellar opponents. A point not lost on most fans. A victory against last year’s NFC representative in the Super Bowl would likely spark some life in a season deemed dead in the water a few weeks ago.

It won’t be easy by any means, but getting the news this early in the week allows the journeyman in his 13th NFL season the full week of preparation without having to look over his shoulder to see if Winston would return.

Fitzpatrick has thrown for 820 yards in five appearances for the Buccaneers and has two games with at least 275 yards passing and two touchdown passes. Meanwhile, the Falcons have allowed five quarterbacks to throw for more than 250-yards against them, with four throwing multiple touchdown passes in their contests as well.

This all before they faced the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football in Week 11.

How does this news sit with you, the fans of the Buccaneers? How confident are you in Fitzpatrick, and does the news Winston hasn’t yet been cleared to work out present bigger problems for the franchise moving forward?

Comment, find me on Facebook, Twitter, or email me at walkingtheplankpodcast@gmail.com to discuss this or anything Buccaneers related.

If you’d like to hear more Buccaneers discussions, 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.