3 young Buccaneers that can step up in the NFC Championship game
By Rob Leeds
All the Buccaneers need is one great catch per game
Tyler Johnson had the best catch of the Buccaneers’ entire season in last week’s matchup with the Saints. Johnson ran a perfect route and made an incredibly athletic play to wrangle in a ball that was a little too far outside, and the rest was history.
After single-handedly extending the drive that ended with points with that one catch, Johnson was quiet for the rest of the game, but the damage was already done. Johnson doesn’t need five or six catches to impact the game for the Buccaneers; he has proven he can do it with only one.
While Johnson comes in at fifth on the depth chart, this game in the colder weather could be the perfect time for him to step up again. Mike Evans has limited cold-weather experience, and Antonio Brown is questionable for the game. Johnson’s cold weather experience at the University of Minnesota and prior performance could boost his chances to see the field this week.
The Buccaneers don’t have to force seven or eight targets to Johnson for him to work magic, but two or three would be more than enough to keep the offense rolling.
Tom Brady has already proven that he has plenty of trust in the rookie, so it is time for the coaching staff to put Johnson in more situations to make big plays.