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Buccaneers vs. Falcons: Week 17 matchups to watch for

By Brandon Simes

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 21: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass during the second half of the game against the Houston Texans on December 21, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 21: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass during the second half of the game against the Houston Texans on December 21, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /
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Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers will finish off 2019 with a home game against the Falcons. Here is a preview of the matchup and some players to watch.

The Buccaneers season will ultimately come to an end this Sunday after their battle with the Falcons is over. Although this game will still have a lot of meaning for many of the players on both sides. Both Atlanta and Tampa Bay have had many injuries and there are players fighting to prove they belong on an NFL roster. Players like Jameis Winston are trying to prove that they have a future on the team. Winston has struggled this season to throw the ball to the correct team and last week he did just that when he threw four interceptions.

Ultimately Jameis Winston is under the microscope and he will need to show the coaching staff that he can limit his turnovers and make better decisions. On the other side of the ball, the Bucs secondary has many players trying to show the team that they can be apart of the future of the franchise.

Jamel Dean is one cornerback who has shown promise but needs to be more consistent and needs to continue to show growth. Pass rusher Shaquil Barrett has led the league in sacks for most of the year and how has 16.5 sacks but he is now two and a half sacks behind New England Patriots pass rusher Chandler Jones who currently has 19 sacks. If Barrett can take back the lead in the final week, it will give Bucs fans something to hang their hat on this offseason.

This offseason will be one in which the Bucs will be looking to shake up the roster and get some more talent to add to some of the playmakers they have on offense in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The team will have decisions to make on the offensive line, defensive line, running back, in addition to the quarterback position. Many of the players on the roster this season will be fighting this week to prove they belong in the team’s future plans and maybe even that they belong in the league.

This week the opponent will be the Atlanta Falcons who are in the same boat as the Bucs this season, their coach Dan Quinn is fighting for his job and the team is still fighting hard for him, Matt Ryan and Julio Jones have continued their success this season and Atlanta’s offense has looked good as of late. Julio has 1,316 receiving yards this season which is third in the league.

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Running back Devonta Freeman is coming off a solid performance in which he rushed for 53 yards and had two touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bucs secondary and defensive line will get a good test and have an opportunity to show the coaching staff that they have some talent.

Although this game may appear to be a meaningless week 17 game, for many players this Sunday will be a key game in deciding the fate of their future in the NFL.

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