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Buccaneers vs Lions: Week 14 game-changing players

By Bailey Adams

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: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way through the smoke onto the field at the start of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way through the smoke onto the field at the start of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Gerald McCoy

There could be some worry about players coasting their way to the end of the season, considering Tampa Bay no longer has much to play for. However, no one needs to worry about that with Gerald McCoy. He is one of a few players on the defense that we can be sure about in terms of giving 100 percent effort. Despite injuries and ineffectiveness along the rest of the line, McCoy is still managing to make in impact week in and week out.

There is no doubt that McCoy will continue to live in the opposing team’s backfield, even if he’s getting double-teamed up the middle. He has five sacks and nine tackles for loss this season, doing so without pressure off the edge. No. 93 is someone who will get after Matthew Stafford on Sunday and plug up the middle of the line in the run game. As difficult as it is to be double-teamed, he continues to find a way to get free and make plays.

The 29-year-old, as much as anyone, has to be disappointed with how this season has unfolded. However, as one of the team’s biggest leaders, he will have a lot of responsibility when it comes to getting his teammates ready to go for Sunday’s game. The defense absolutely cannot come out flat and play disinterested, or else Detroit will run away easily. McCoy and his guys need to come out strong, get off the field on third down and give the Tampa Bay offense a chance.

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