The Tampa Bay Buccaneers passing attack is, on paper, one of the most talented in the NFL with weapons for days. And even though Emeka Egbuka has been a bit of a disappointment this season and his fellow young breakout star Jalen McMillan has been hurt again, the Bucs passing attack has shown signs of big play ability.
But the two biggest playmakers so far have really been the expected No. 4 and 5 receivers, rookie Ted Hurst and the even deeper sleeper, Tez Johnson. Last week, Johnson only got one real opportunity to make a difference against the Dallas Cowboys, but he really helped open up the game for the Buccaneers by soaking up a 64-yard catch, taking full advantage of the Cowboys blowing yet another defensive assignment.
Whlie the Pittsburgh Steelers defense will be a tougher challenge for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels in Week 6, they are still vulnerable to giving up the big plays down the field and don't have the greatest depth at cornerback.
Tez Johnson has the hot hand for Buccaneers offense
So while the Steelers can handle a struggling Emeka Egbuka and even keep tabs on star man Chris Godwin Jr. and Ted Hurst, they are not going to have an easy time containing Tez Johnson, especially since his big play abilitynis exactly what the Steelers defense should be worried about on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Johnson has taken just 10 targets this season and turned them into a whopping 138 yards, averaging an incredible 27.6 yards per reception and 13.8 yards per target. Those kinds of numbers need to be taken advantage of, and Daniels has a bigger arm than what he has been able to show. And with more confidence after an accurate and poised win in Dallas, Daniels should be able to unload and find Johnson down the field even more against the Steelers.
So far, the Steelers pass defense is actually in the bottom half of the NFL with 6.5 net yards per pass attempt allowed, and their pass defense is their worst unit out of all of theirs on the team. Again, that's something Johnson can take advantage of, and the Buccaneers need to follow up on that play against the Cowboys by sending him more targets on Sunday. Johnson isn't their biggest name, but he is shining and has earned more looks.
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