The Buccaneers will need everyone to step up if they are playing without Antonio Brown.
As some fans are frantically starting to see, the Buccaneers could likely be without Antonio Brown this Sunday when they face the Rams. L.A. is one of the best teams in the league right now, and losing a top receiver like Brown will hurt.
The Bucs aren’t completely lost without Brown, as they still have their top guys in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski, but they will still need personnel from across the team to step up in the event that Brown is not cleared by game time.
Tampa won’t have too much to worry about as long as the following Buccaneers step up in the most crucial moment of the season so far.
Byron Leftwich
There has been a ton of good from Byron Leftwich so far this season, but there has also been some bad. The pass is clearly the most effective way to run the offense in Tampa, so that shouldn’t change too much for this matchup with the Rams.
Establishing the run against a team like this won’t help much, and Leftwich can’t let the potential loss of Brown cause him to call the game too conservative.
Leftwich needs to keep airing the ball out, even if the depth receivers are on the field.
Scotty Miller
As the next man up after Brown, Scotty Miller should finally start to get some real touches this weekend if Brown is indeed out. Miller played well for the Bucs last season before Brown arrived, and he did well with his limited touches down the stretch.
Miller gives the Buccaneers a more than reliable replacement option for Brown in a key game, especially when he should get some favorable matchups with the top corners shadowing Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Tom Brady
Asking one of the best players on the team to step up may seem like a tall task, especially when Brady has been on a tear to start the season, but even he will have to play better than he already has this season if the Bucs are to best the Rams.
Between a great pass rush and a dominant secondary, Brady will already have his work cut out for him, but he needs to remain calm and play his game, even if he is missing one of his favorite receivers.
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