Jaire Alexander
While the Buccaneers were disrespected horrifically in Pro Bowl and All-Pro voting, Jaire Alexander may have been the biggest snub in the All-Pro category. Alexander makes an extremely compelling case as the best corner in football, even if the stats don’t show it.
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Players with larger personalities like Jalen Ramsey always tend to steal the hearts of the voters in these categories. While Ramsey played well and had better stats than Alexander, stats don’t tell the whole story. Alexander has so few stats because his receivers are rarely open, and he gets very few opportunities for pass breakups or picks.
Tampa Bay and Mike Evans overcame another matchup with Marshon Lattimore, but Alexander will be the best corner the Bucs have faced in the playoffs by a mile. The Bucs will need to do everything in their power to spread the ball out and avoid the areas that Alexander is patrolling.
The good news for the Bucs is that their wide receiver depth has been one of their main selling points this season. Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson have earned the chance to get additional reps this weekend, and both fall outside the leading trio for the Bucs.
Even if Alexander tries to shadow Evans, the Bucs still have Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown in favorable matchups, as well as a bevy of other reliable options.
Tom Brady just has to remain smart with the football and limit turnover opportunities, but that comes with not targeting Jaire Alexander whenever possible.
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