Buccaneers: Players to watch against the Falcons in Week 12
By Sean Eck
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick has been consistent, but unimpressive in time as the starter for the Buccaneers this season. Sporting a 58% completion ratio and only averaging 231 yards passing per game in his two starts Fitz will need to step it up if the buccaneers want to have a chance in what could be a high scoring affair.
While Fitzpatrick hasn’t been lighting up the scoreboard, he has shown good awarness in the pocked. Opposing teams have gotten to him only once in each of his two starts. Whether that is just the veteran presence or the offensive line play has improved that mugh over the past two games is up for debate. Either way, fitzpatrick need to be aware as he faces a top-five pass rush in the NFL.
The other big thing that Fitzpatrick has to do is get the ball downfield. Mike Evans has four, and DeSean Jackson has five catches for over 25 yards this season. The Falcons have shown the ability to be beaten by the deep ball this year. Forcing them to respect the deep ball this week could not only go for a big play, but it could open up the run game. With Fitzpatrick at the helm, the Buccaneers are only averaging 71.5 rush yards-per-game and only 2.55 yards-per-rush. The Buccaneers cannot expect continued success with the inability to move the ball on the ground.