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Buccaneers: Players to watch against the Lions in week 14

By Sean Eck

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a catch in front of Robert Alford #23 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a catch in front of Robert Alford #23 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 29: Justin Evans #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after defending a pass in the second quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 29: Justin Evans #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after defending a pass in the second quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Justin Evans

Evans once again played on 100% of the defensive snaps joining Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David as the only defensive players to play on every down last week.  He has run away with the safety job and is playing better then the Buccaneers organization could have hoped for a rookie.

Safety is one of the most challenging positions on the defense to slide into as a rookie, and while Eans has had his growing pains, he is continuing to improve.  He currently leads the NFL rookies in interceptions with three and has 58 tackles on the season.  Two of the last three games have yielded an Evans interception.

Must Read: Lions to look out for in Week 14

This week he has to face Matthew Stafford who is on his way to a 7th consecutive 4000+ yard 20 touchdown season.  Stafford will be mixing up play calls in an attempt to confuse the rookie and has one of the best pump fakes in all of the NFL.

The most significant problem for Evans this week though might be the speed of the Lions wide receivers.  Both Marvin Jones and Golden Tate can use their speed and get behind the safeties.  The whole Buccaneers unit have to prepare for this and Evans is the most susceptible target as a rookie.

Evans will have to be at the top of his game for the Buccaneers to have a chance not only in pass coverage but in helping hold the Lions running game to their under 100 yards per game average.

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