The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneers can succeed while Jameis Winston sits

By Derek Quesenberry

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 5: Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches a replay on the screen from the sidelines after being hurt in the first half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 5, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Buccaneers 30-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 5: Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches a replay on the screen from the sidelines after being hurt in the first half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 5, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Buccaneers 30-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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The Buccaneers are desperate for a winning season. With jobs on the line and Jameis Winston serving his suspension, the pressure is at its peak. Could Tampa Bay find a way to survive without him?

I may just be an optimist, but I still feel The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can pull this off. The Bucs begin the season with a brutal three-game stretch, they start the season in New Orleans, then at home against the Eagles and the Steelers on Monday Night football. The Bucs won’t be favored in any of these games, but this is the NFL. The best of the best play in this league and anything can happen.

As the Bucs start off the season I can already hear the analysts saying the Saints will be out for blood after the brutal playoff loss against the Vikings.

I look at it from another perspective. Maybe New Orleans hasn’t recovered from that loss. When a team loses in dramatic fashion like that, those feelings don’t just evaporate. 

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Look what happened to the Seahawks after they lost the Super Bowl on the one-yard line. Seattle was on the verge of becoming a dynasty, now the Legion of Boom has been dismantled.

Maybe the Bucs come out strong and surprise the Saints, who are also without running back Mark Ingram to start the season. If Tampa can throw the first punch, there may be some lingering effects from their devastating divisional round loss.

Tampa Bay will play their first game at home the following week. The Bucs will host the defending Super Bowl champs, the Philadelphia Eagles. Tampa needs to come out strong in this game and show that they compete with the best. Also, keep in mind Carson Wentz is easing into his return from ACL surgery. 

Perhaps Wentz won’t be quite ready for live action. Or if he is active, he may not be back mentally and play timid. Or is it possible the Eagles suffer from the notorious “Super Bowl Hangover?” I would bet money the Bucs have this game circled on the schedule. What better way for opposing teams to take you seriously than beating the defending champions.

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When the Bucs take on the Steelers on Monday Night Football and step into the spotlight of primetime TV they need to prove to everyone that this team is different. In years past the Bucs have gotten thoroughly embarrassed on primetime games, that can’t happen again without Winston in the fold. 

This will be the last game of Jameis Winston’s suspension and if the Bucs can get the win analysts will be all over it. The Buccaneers would finally be discussed on the NFL Network. The national media will start to question, could Tampa make a run with Winston returning?

It truly is a shame some fans have already given up on this season. The offseason is a time for excitement and anticipation. As free agency comes and goes, then the NFL Draft comes around and fans can’t help but get excited and think this is our year.

Anything can happen in the NFL, that’s what makes it the best sport in the world. There is no reason to think The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can’t surprise everyone. 

Every year there is a team that exceeds expectations, there is also a team that massively disappoints. For all we know, the Buccaneers can flip the script and impress, rather than let the fan base down. Tampa Bay has a tough schedule to start the season but there is only one division game in the first three weeks. If the Bucs can win at least one game while Winston is out, which I think is totally possible, they will be in solid shape. Especially if that win comes against the Saints.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing for their jobs this year. If they have another losing season people will get fired. Bucs fans have been through a lot, don’t we deserve something to brag about?

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