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Buccaneers: 5 young players to watch as season winds down

By Ryan Doyle

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 02: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Jameis Winston #3 after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on December 02, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 02: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Jameis Winston #3 after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on December 02, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 16: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is sacked by C.J. Mosley #57 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 16: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is sacked by C.J. Mosley #57 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

QB Jameis Winston

Of course, it all comes back to the quarterback. Jameis Winston still has plenty to prove as the season comes to a close.

With a new coaching staff likely entering the fold, Winston needs to use the final games to show that he deserves the starting job next season. The Bucs are not tied to him past 2019, but he will have the opportunity to carry the team to a pair of victories.

Winston hadn’t lit up the stat sheet like many expected when he returned to the lineup. Aside from a 312-yard performance against the San Francisco 49ers, Winston hasn’t thrown for over 250 yards in a game.

The Ravens held him in check, and the offense has suffered because of it. Now, Winston isn’t to blame for Tampa Bay’s offensive struggles; the line hasn’t blocked well at all. Plus his receivers had plenty of drops last week.

However, Winston can undoubtedly perform better. He completed just over 50 percent of his passes a week ago and still cannot find open receivers down the field consistently. Winston’s avoided turning the ball over of late, but the inconsistency remains.

Winston has the talent to avoid pass rushers and deliver a beautiful ball, but he also tends flat-out miss simple throws over the middle of the field.

A strong finish can provide the fan base and the next head coach with hope that Winston can turn the corner and live up to his status as a number one quarterback.

Next. Buccaneers: 5 potential cap casualties in 2019. dark

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