The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New York Jets in dramatic fashion 29-27 on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. That can only mean it’s time for Carter Brantley’s weekly article “Captain’s Table – Walk the Plank”. Enjoy!
Captain’s Table:
Baker Mayfield!
Surprise surprise it’s Baker Mayfield again. He led the Buccaneers on another inspiring game-winning drive after more shenanigans from the rest of the team. He’s continued to show poise under pressure and rise to every occasion during the start of the season. This is all despite missing three starting offensive lineman and both Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan. Now Mike Evans might be hurt too. I still wouldn’t be surprised if Baker continues to ball out because that just seems to be what he does.
Emeka Egbuka!
Mike Evans is wonderful and he is going to be sorely missed whenever he hangs up his cleats. But my goodness did the Buccaneers seem to hit this pick out of the park and give themselves a wide receiver, one for the near future. Egbuka has been one of the best receivers in football so far making spectacular one-handed catches and even the catches that don’t count probably should have. He’s been a thrill to watch and he is a big reason why Tampa Bay is 3-0.
Chase McLaughlin!
He’s gotten off to an awful start this year with a bunch of my kicks and he even missed one Sunday. But by golly, he also made some huge kicks from 50+ yards, as well as the game-winning kick that gave the Buccaneers their third victory. He was honestly playing for his job Sunday and he rose to the occasion. Shout out to him.
Yaya Diaby!
Diaby racked up the most pressures of any player since week eight of last season. He was absolutely outstanding and while it was just against the Jets and Tyrod Taylor, those guys still get paid too and are still NFL players. He and a bunch of other players on that defense played incredibly well against a weaker beat up opponent.
Jamel Dean!
Finally, the Buccaneers got some takeaways, and none was bigger than Dean’s pick six at the end of the first half. Dean has been the subject of a lot of criticism throughout his time in Tampa Bay but he probably had one of his best games as a Buc on Sunday, with a 90+ PFF grade and no catches allowed as the nearest defender.
Walk the Plank
Injury Bug!
I mean my goodness how much more can the Buccaneers take now Mike Evans is supposedly hurt? This really sucks because this team seems really exciting, fun and, talented. They could be one of the best teams in the NFC, but unfortunately, because of injuries they might fall short. For now it’s important to just enjoy the fact that they are a winning team and are playing incredibly well.
Special Teams!
I know the blocked field goal returned for a touchdown was ugly, but their kickoff coverage was equally bad if not worse. It allowed the jets to hang around in the game longer than they should have by getting the ball and such advantageous field position to start every drive. It cannot happen and it needs to be fixed this week. Otherwise the Bucs will absolutely lose to the Eagles and other good teams that they have to play throughout their schedule.
NFL Refs!
That was a catch. Period. End of story. I still don’t really understand how it wasn’t ruled that way but oh well the mighty NFL is not meant to be understood.
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