The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Mike Evans and O.J. Howard will bounce back for Buccaneers

By Jamil King

Mike Evans, wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Mike Evans, wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 2
Next
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Tight end O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball as he is defended by linebacker Tae Davis #58 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Tight end O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball as he is defended by linebacker Tae Davis #58 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Immense talent, early season struggles

Last season the Panthers held Evans to five catches for 64 yards in the two meetings combined for the Buccaneers, but do not be alarmed. This week Evans gets a soft match-up with a New York Giants secondary that has been getting torched the first two weeks of the season. Quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Josh Allen have been able to get their receivers involved heavily against this team, and the Bucs should continue that trend as Winston will look to his playmaking receivers.

Howard has been a surprise, not just Tampa fans, but also national media after he was expected to have a monster, breakout year in his third season in the league. Everyone knew about how Arians didn’t utilize the tight end spot much in Arizona, but Arians also never had a tight end with the talent of Howard.

With the Bucs, he inherited athletic freak in Howard and a true vertical threat to be utilized. Through the first two games, though, the returns on Howard are not great as he has seen just four percent of his snaps end up with a target.

The good news for him is that through these two games, he has seen the field a ton, doubling the amount of snaps veteran tight end Cameron Brate has played. What was truly astonishing was to see Howard come away with zero touches in week two after his awful opening game that included a red zone fumble and a dropped pass that ended in an interception.

Even last season the Panthers had his number, much like Evans, but with his size and speed, you expect Howard to overcome in ideal matchups. Arians has said that Howard will get his chance and that they will not just force the ball to particular guys just to get them involved; this is largely evidenced by Chris Godwin feasting as the defenses are giving Evans and Howard their primary attention.

Coming up, Juice will get his chance to thrive and make plays for the pewter and red. Last season the Giants allowed 959 yards receiving to tight ends, and the Los Angeles Rams allowed 1075 yards to the position, the next two opponents for the Buccaneers.

He should be able to get the ball rolling Sunday, however with an awful Giants secondary in play and in two games against the Giants, Howard has caught seven passes for 141 yards and one touchdown. Expect a similar output tomorrow when the Daniel Jones-led Giants enter Raymond James Stadium.

Home/Bucs News