Buccaneers: 3 players that need to step up in Week 7
By Ryan Doyle
The Buccaneers face a must-win game against the Cleveland Browns. If Tampa Bay plans on snapping its three-game skid, these players need to have a strong performance.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) will be looking to get back on track against the Cleveland Browns (2-3-1) this week.
Tampa Bay came just short of a comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons this past week. The defensive struggles were just too much to overcome. The embarrassing display on defense forced the Bucs to make a drastic coaching change.
The Buccaneers fired defensive coordinator Mike Smith on Monday in a rare mid-season switch. Linebackers coach Mark Duffner will take up the reins and hope to turn around the league’s worst defense.
Fortunately for the Buccaneers, the Browns don’t feature a high-powered offense. Cleveland averages just 21.3 points per game and rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield is prone to mistakes.
There shouldn’t be too much concern regarding Tampa Bay’s offense. Jameis Winston put together a solid four touchdown performance against the Falcons. The Browns defense may be on a different level, but the Bucs have welcomed all challengers thus far.
It’s time to right the ship. Cleveland is a beatable team, and if the Buccaneers are going to make noise this season, they need to win this week. With a new coordinator, the defense needs to show that they can give the offense a chance to win a ball game.
If the Bucs are going to snap their three-game losing streak, the following players need to step up.