Buccaneers vs Lions: Week 14 game-changing players

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 12: Players warm up prior to kick-off between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Jets on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 12: Players warm up prior to kick-off between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Jets on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Players warm up prior to kick-off between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Jets on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Players warm up prior to kick-off between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Jets on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

The Buccaneers (4-8) return to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, playing in front of the home fans for the first time since Nov. 12. The Detroit Lions (6-6) will be in town for the first time since 2011. Here, we break down five players who could change the outcome of the game.

With an overtime loss to the Packers in week thirteen, the Buccaneers assured that they will finish with a record of .500 or worse. This spring will be an interesting time for the Bucs. They could be making changes with the coaching staff and front office, while trying to piece together a playoff roster. That doesn’t even begin to take into account the impending investigation involving their starting quarterback. But for now, they still have four more games to play.

The rest of this season should be a time of evaluation, but there will also be opportunities to play spoiler. One of those comes this Sunday, as the Lions need a win to keep themselves in the playoff picture. They are losers of two straight, but the rest of their schedule is favorable. Sunday’s game is an important one for Detroit, as a win would get its record back above .500 and set the team up well for the final stretch.

Which players have the ability to change the outcome of Sunday’s game?

Schedule