The Pewter Plank
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5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers to watch vs. Los Angeles Rams

By JT Squillante

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with wide receiver Mike Evans #13 after connecting with Evans for a 42-yard touchdown pass during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with wide receiver Mike Evans #13 after connecting with Evans for a 42-yard touchdown pass during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 22: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after sacking Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 22: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after sacking Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

OLB Shaq Barrett

This is an obvious one as he has been the most dominant defensive player in the league thus far. Shaq has an NFL leading eight sacks on the year and is fresh off a four sack performance against the New York Giants.

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He has dominated every offensive tackle or tight end that has lined up against him, and the Bucs are going to need another monster game this Sunday. Rams quarterback Jared Goff can be lethal when protected well, but has also proven to struggle a great deal under pressure.

If the Bucs, led by Shaq Barrett, can keep Goff on his toes and under duress it can do wonders to help a secondary that has so far been poor. I don’t think it’s possible for Shaq to get five sacks but I also did not think he could top his three sack performance from a few weeks ago and he has.

Right now, there seems to be no ceiling with him and no signs of slowing down for the newcomer this season. Rams head coach Sean McVay has great schemes so he will surely design ways to slow down Shaq but with that leaves opportunities for others along the defensive line, which brings me to my next player to watch.

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