5 Thoughts
- You might think that James Winston has to be flawless for the Bucs to win. He doesn't. In the Bucs' five wins this season, he has five interceptions. In the Bucs' five losses, he has 15. Even with Bruce Arians' faulty math, that's too many.
2. Do you think Donovan Smith saw the problem with Ronald Jones' lousy pass protection?
3. If Matt Gay could have kicked straight against the Giants, the Bucs would be a .500 team today.
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4. Last year, Vita Vea was invisible for the season's first half. This year, it was Devin White. But in the second half, both of them became beasts. Remember that with next season's top rookie.
5. If Bruce Arians can get to nine wins with this team, considering its travel, he should get some coach of the year votes.
5 of the Best Comments
(From Bruce Arians' Monday Press Conference)
(On the improvement of his defense): "I think defensively, we’re finally understanding situational football a lot better. Guys’ communication, short-yardage, red zone, third down is becoming really fun to watch and watching the growth. Obviously, [we’ve been] rushing the passer extremely well for the last few weeks, but again on the back end, we’re holding our guys [and] we’re covering our guys. The quarterback’s not having the quick throws. And then, when we are not sacking them, we’re knocking the ball out of their hands and I think Larry Foote does a great of job teaching."
(On Shaq Barrett getting his second wind in the season): "The addition of Jason Pierre-Paul and the way Vita (Vea) is playing and the way (Ndamukong) Suh is playing in the middle, having Carl (Nassib) inside – just having those guys around him, he’s not getting all the attention – the tight end and the chip – so I think that’s helped him tremendously. And, the back end is doing a hell of a lot better – coverage is a lot better. I don’t think it’s stopping anytime soon. I think he’s a hungry young fella that even after he gets paid, it’s going to continue. He’s just continued to work on his craft, getting slipperier and slipperier. I’m going to be shocked if he doesn’t break (Warren Sapp's season record)."
(On the young talent on defense): "That first and second-year bunch on defense – that’s going to be fun for a long time. It’s just going to get better and better. Just add a piece or two or just keep them together. I think the veterans that are over there are not old. Lavonte [David] looks like he’s a four-year guy [with] the way he flies around, and [Ndamukong] Suh’s playing at a high level. So, yeah, just keeping them all together and just continue to grow.”
(On how much confidence a young player gets with his first turnover): "It’s huge. Once you do it, you know you can. Devin [White’s] sacks last week, the interception this week (and) the touchdown will be huge for him and his growth. Sean (Murphy-Bunting) – a second time for him now. All those kids are getting more and more – I see Mike Edwards playing faster and faster. I hope to get Anthony Nelson healthy soon [and] let him get back out there. Somebody just asked me what rookie probably has had the most impact. Of course, I started naming all of them and I forgot about Matt Gay. He’s probably had the most impact of all of them. So, yeah, it’s been a great group.”
(On Ronald Jones missing a blitz pickup): "Yeah, and that was the fumble. We had the game in hand. It was something that had been switched – the way we were going to block something because of their blitzes – and he went to block the guy he used to block, and that wasn’t the plan. He works his ass off and he’s going to get better at it, because we need him running the football. But, you can’t run the football if you can’t protect the quarterback.”
5 of the Best Takes
"In a wide receiver group with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, few would have expected Breshad Perriman to lead the team in receiving yards on the day, but that’s exactly what he did. Not only that, but he looked good doing it, including an impressive bit of toe-drag swag on the sideline on one of his grabs."
-- Pro Football Focus
"The Buccaneers didn’t find much success on the ground despite two touchdowns from running back Peyton Barber. They frequently found themselves with little room to work with, with Barber averaging just 2.6 yards per carry on the day."
-- Pro Football Focus
"Shaquil Barrett continues to get the job done as a pass-rusher. Barrett recorded a pair of sacks (one of which was a strip-sack that was recovered for a touchdown) and had a handful of additional pressures."
-- Pro Football Focus
At the next level of the defense, Devin White had a standout day in coverage. White made a great read on quarterback Nick Foles early in the game to step in front of a pass for an interception – nearly returning it for a touchdown himself – and he did a nice job keeping the play in front of him throughout the rest of the game, keeping underneath catches to just short yardage gains."
-- Pro Football Focus
No matter what happens the next four weeks, Khan has to know standing pat is no longer the answer. The power triumvirate of Coughlin, Marrone and GM Dave Caldwell hit upon the right formula in 2017 when the Jaguars went to the AFC Championship game, but it turned out to be an unsustainable model.
This isn’t anywhere near the same team that came within one play of denying Tom Brady and the New England Patriots a Super Bowl trip. A 9-19 record since then, and being non-competitive in their last four games, should be a clear sign the Jaguars need a new power structure.
Khan can pick whatever time he wants, but a day of reckoning is on the horizon. Blow this thing up.
-- Gene Frenette, Florida Times-Union
Gameballs
Offense: Know that thingamajig in your car's trunk that you never found a use for? Until Sunday, that was Breshad Perriman, the unused tool of the Bucs' offense. But Sunday, he had five catches for 87 yards. Finally, on a day when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin weren't magic, he was. Maybe he'll be useful down the stretch.
Defense: It's hard to outshine a player with two sacks, but Devin White was special. He intercepted a pass. He ran in a fumble for a touchdown. He had seven tackles. He's been an impact player lately.
Special teams. On four punts, Bradley Pinion averaged 48.4 yards per punt.
Grades
Quarterback: You don't always have to dazzle. Sometimes, you just don't have to fizzle. Jameis Winston didn't throw an interception, and he led his team to a win. That's enough. Grade: B.
Running back: Peyton Barber didn't average enough per carry, but he scored twice. That'll do. Grade: B.
Offensive line: Are you kidding? Four sacks and a 2.4 average. Grade: F.
Wide receiver: Perriman lifts the grade. Grade: B.
Defensivee line: How can not love this group? Grade: A.
Linebackers: David and White are terrific. Grade: A.
Secondary. For all the talk about a Jags' "spark," they scored one touchdown. Grade: B+.
Kicking: Solid. Grade. B+.
Unsung Heroes
- Jerome Whitehead. Had four tackles.
2. O.J. Howard. Caught five passes for 61 yards.
3 William Gholston. Had three tackles.
4. Carlton Davis. Broke up two passes.
5. Sean Murphy-Bunting. Broke up two passes.
Winston Stats
Passing Yardage Second
Touchdowns Fifth
Interceptions First
40-plus passes Third
Rating 50th
Random Stats
Sacks Barrett 1st 14.5
Tackles David 19th 91
Receiving Yards Godwin 2nd 1,121
Evans 3rd 1,096
Rushing Jones 29th 482
FGs Gay 5th 23
NFL Power Rankings
Sporting News 21
Bleacher Report 18
Heavy.com 18
Spinzone.com 20
Fansided 18
NFL Mock Drafts
N.J.com 13 Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
NFLmocks.com. 12 Grant Delpin, S, LSU
Withthefirstpick.com. 13 Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
TheSportingNews.com 12 Fulton
CBSsports.com 23 Tua Tagovailovoa, QB, Alabama