NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Vincent Jackson Is Key To Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 11 Win

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a rough 2014 season to say the least. At 1-8, the Bucs are last in the NFC and have had their playoffs hopes crushed long before November even hit. The toughest part is that the Bucs’ record could be very different, but they haven’t been able to win close games. Tampa Bay has five losses that were by six points or less. This week the Bucs travel to face the Washington Redskins, and wide receiver Vincent Jackson is the key to Tampa getting their second win of the season.

Jackson has always been a reliable receiver and is without a doubt Tampa Bay’s best, but he’s had a subpar season to this point. Jackson has 518 yards in nine games and is on pace to fall short of 1,000 yards receiving for the first time as a Buccaneer.

It has been tough because opposing defenses usually pay close attention to Jackson, which is a result of Tampa Bay lacking in offensive playmakers. Regardless of who’s guarding Jackson on Sunday, quarterback Josh McCown has to find ways to get him the ball. Jackson has combined for a hefty 25 targets in the last two games but only has 14 catches out of those targets.

What’s even more surprising is that Jackson hasn’t found the end zone since Week 4. This should be the week that Jackson makes a few big plays and scores a touchdown. The Redskins don’t have a particularly good secondary and are last in the NFC with only three interceptions all season.

Jackson will also be looking for his second 100-yard receiving game of the season and his first since Week 5. The Bucs are going to need a lot of production from Jackson in order to win the game. Tampa Bay’s defense is nearly averaging 400 yards against per game, so the offense needs to score points and maintain some long drives. Jackson will be the key receiver McCown looks for in critical third-down situations.

The emergence of rookie receiver Mike Evans will also help Jackson have a big day against Washington. The Bucs certainly don’t have many offensive weapons, but Evans has been getting better each week and has given the Bucs a formidable one-two punch at receiver. Teams can no longer just account for Jackson; Evans has played well enough to draw plenty of attention from the defense, and that bodes well for Jackson.

The Buccaneers also haven’t had a consistent running attack this season, so expect the offense to lean on their receivers and McCown’s arm. Jackson will be the key to the Bucs capturing their second win and ending a five-game losing streak.

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