{"id":5841,"date":"2016-11-10T14:36:05","date_gmt":"2016-11-10T19:36:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=5841"},"modified":"2016-11-10T14:36:05","modified_gmt":"2016-11-10T19:36:05","slug":"tampa-bay-buccaneers-week-ten-keys-to-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/11\/10\/tampa-bay-buccaneers-week-ten-keys-to-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week Ten Keys to Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/strong> come into Week\u00a0Ten with nine days of rest, unlike last week when they played\u00a0after just four days off. The result was a 43-28 blow out loss to the Atlanta Falcons<\/strong> at home on Thursday Night Football<\/strong> that followed the 30-24 overtime loss at home against the Oakland Raiders<\/strong>. The Buccaneers will try to end their two-game losing streak at home against the Chicago Bears<\/strong>. The Bears will also have the luxury of extended rest following their bye week. They’ll be confident after their upset win over the Minnesota Vikings<\/strong> on Monday Night Football<\/strong> on Halloween<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week Ten Keys to Victory<\/h2>\n

Defense Helps Out Wounded Offense<\/h3>\n

Quarterback Jameis Winston<\/a><\/strong> is likely to play with a knee injury and wide receiver Mike Evans<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0was just released\u00a0from the league’s concussion protocol. The Bucs have been through five different running backs. They are without\u00a0Vincent Jackson<\/a><\/strong> for the year and Russell Shepard<\/a><\/strong> is out for the game. Two quality offensive lineman in Joe Hawley<\/a><\/strong> and Kevin Pamphile<\/a><\/strong> are questionable. The defense has to take the pressure off the ailing offense<\/a>, something they have struggled to do the last two games against the Raiders and the Falcons. It will be tough, because the Bears offense could be improving.<\/p>\n

Watch Out for Jordan Howard<\/a><\/h3>\n

The Bears’ season had been rather lifeless prior to the game against the Vikings. However, they may have received a shot of energy that could change their season. Rookie running back Jordan Howard had a breakout performance with 26 rushing attempts for 153 yards and a touchdown, along with four catches for 49 yards. All were statistical\u00a0highs in his brief career, and these numbers came\u00a0against a physical defense in Minnesota.<\/p>\n

The Buccaneers need to be prepared for a heavy dose of the 22-year-old and, they may have the talent to stop him. They have one of the most complete linebacking units in the NFL<\/strong> starting with rookie middle linebacker Kwon Alexander<\/a><\/strong>, who leads the team with 61 tackles. Alexander did leave his last game against the Falcons with a shoulder injury and that could limit his impact in this\u00a0contest. Even if Alexander’s not fully healthy, he will be accompanied by All-Pro<\/strong> outside linebacker Lavonte David<\/a><\/strong> and nine-year linebacker Daryl Smith<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Opportunity for Defensive Line<\/h3>\n

The defensive line for the Buccaneers has been a major disappointment through the first half of the season. They have struggled to stay healthy. Defensive end Robert Ayers<\/a><\/strong> has played only four games this year, which is the same number as defensive tackle\u00a0Clinton McDonald<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

They’ve added depth to surround one of the game’s best nose tackles in Gerald McCoy<\/a><\/strong>, including\u00a0Ayers, McDonald and John Hughes<\/a><\/strong> (from the Cleveland Browns\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0not\u00a0Shermer, Illinois<\/a>), as well as three draft picks including Noah Spence<\/a><\/strong>, Channing Ward<\/a><\/strong> and DaVonte Lambert<\/a><\/strong>. Unfortunately, it hasn’t helped the Bucs’ passing defense, which is tied for fourth in the NFL in passing touchdowns allowed and second in yards gained per pass attempt<\/a> at 8.3 allowed. They are also in the bottom half of the league in sacks.<\/p>\n

However, now the line has been as healthy as they’ve been all year. It’s an excellent chance for the supporting cast of William Gholston<\/a><\/strong> and Akeem Spence<\/a><\/strong> to help McCoy and prove themselves against an underrated offensive line. The Bears have two proven guards in Kyle Long<\/a><\/strong> and Josh Sitton<\/a><\/strong>. However, Long is questionable with an arm injury and Sitton has a questionable ankle. The Bucs clearly\u00a0have an opportunity to apply pressure on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Pick: Chicago 27 – Tampa Bay 13<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n