Buccaneers vs Lions: Week 14 game-changing players

The Buccaneer O-Line

So, this is the first time I’ve ever done this, but it’s necessary. The entire Tampa Bay offensive line is a game-changing unit this week. If it has a performance similar to the one it had in Green Bay, we might not be seeing too much of Jameis Winston. The third-year quarterback made his- perhaps ill-advised- return last week and got roughed up in a big way. The o-line allowed him to get sacked seven times and hit thirteen times. That’s not a successful recipe for any quarterback, especially one that is healing from a shoulder injury.

The biggest problem with the offensive line’s performance against the Packers was that everyone could see it coming. The Bucs were missing Ali Marpet and Demar Dotson, who are their two best linemen. Those two are on injured reserve, so we’ll see the same line this weekend. On more than one occasion, Clay Matthews came through the line untouched to get a hit on Winston. That just cannot happen if Tampa Bay wants to be successful.

Next: Buccaneers Pick Six: Implosion in Lambeau

Run blocking was solid for this group on Sunday, which allowed for a big day out of Peyton Barber. However, the pass blocking was so bad that the Bucs just could not play complementary football. They need to be able to do that in order to have success, and that comes down to the offensive line. The performance from the big guys up front will decide Sunday’s outcome more than anything else.

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Who do you think will most impact the outcome of Sunday’s game, Bucs fans? Let us know in the comments, on Twitter or on Facebook.