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Buccaneers: Winners and losers following loss to Detroit

By Michael Horan

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers talks to Donovan Smith #76 during warm ups prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers talks to Donovan Smith #76 during warm ups prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 03: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 3, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 03: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 3, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Losers

Jameis Winston

It’s difficult for a team to overcome their quarterback turning the ball over three times. The Buccaneers still managed to keep the game within reach, but Jameis Winston made things difficult on a defense that was already struggling. The Bucs quarterback completed 26 passes on 38 attempts for 285 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. On the season, Winston now has eight interceptions and four lost fumbles on the season, a rate that simply needs to improve in the coming years.

Behind a patchwork offensive line and stuck in a predictable offensive scheme, Winston is struggling to build on his first two seasons in the league. Making things worse is that Winston will likely need to learn a new offense next season. It’s important that Winston prove he can take care of the ball over these last three games, especially against NFC south rivals.

Buccaneer offensive tackles

Winston wasn’t alone in his struggles on offense. As has been the case many times this season, the Buccaneer offensive tackles struggled mightily to protect their quarterback. Winston was sacked three times and rarely got much of a pocket to work with. The Bucs final drive of the first half was halted in its’ tracks by holds and blown blocks by tackles Donovan Smith and Caleb Benenoch.

The Buccaneer offensive line as a whole is a broken unit devastated by injury, and Caleb Benenoch has really struggled to replace Demar Dotson, who was having a strong season before knee surgery. Donovan Smith has been bad more often than good this year, and it’s really tough to say what his future with the Bucs looks like. It goes without saying that he can make or lose quite a bit of money in these final three games.

Next: Buccaneers vs Lions: Immediate Reactions

So Bucs fans, who were your winners and losers from the Buccaneers game? Sound off in the comments, and be sure to check back after next week’s Monday night game against Atlanta for more winners and losers.

"Brent and Ren get the InstantCast going following the Bucs loss to the Lions."

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