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Buccaneers: Players to watch against the Falcons in Week 12

By Sean Eck

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 17: Middle linebacker Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers evades tight end Dion Sims #88 of the Chicago Bears after intercepting a pass by quarterback Mike Glennon during the first quarter of an NFL football game on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 17: Middle linebacker Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers evades tight end Dion Sims #88 of the Chicago Bears after intercepting a pass by quarterback Mike Glennon during the first quarter of an NFL football game on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Kwon Alexander

Last season Alexander led the NFL with 108 solo tackles and tied for third in league with 145 total tackles. Added 12 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one interception (returned for a touchdown), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and seven passes defended. He was the only player in the NFL to register at least 130 tackles, 3.0 sacks, five passes defensed and one interception.

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This season since returning from an early-season injury has been everything Buccaneer fans could hope for.  He plays between 95-100% of the defensive snaps every game and is racking up the tackles every game averaging 7.6 tackles-per-game.  While he isn’t the high profile linebacker in the league, he has shown the ability to be one of the best inside three-down linebackers around.

With no Devonta Freeman this week Alexander might have a little bit easier of a job containing the Falcons running backs.  Tevin Coleman as good as he is isn’t the same caliber runningback as Freeman.  Last week he only gained 43 yards on 2o carries.  The real threat from Coleman and the backs for the Falcons is them catching passes out of the backfield.  Alexander needs to on point while catching Coleman early as he has 31 catches for 421 yards and three touchdowns.  For a running back to be averaging 13.6 yards-per-catch is impressive and Kwon needs to lead the charge to hold him in check and force the Falcons to seek other methods of moving the sticks.

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Here are my Buccaneers to watch in Week 12. Which players are you keeping an eye on as the catalysts to a Tampa Bay win?

Let us know in the comments, on social media, or at walkingtheplankpodcast@gmail.com.

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