Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Tennessee Titans
This was a close game throughout. Early on, the Titans jumped out to a 14-3 lead despite the Buccaneers dominating time of possession. The Buccaneers came back to take a 23-20 lead before the Titans scored the last touchdown for the win. Tampa Bay was driving for the win, but their drive ended with a turnover.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
- Jameis Winston: 21/43, 301 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 3 sacks | 8 carries, 53 yards, 3 fumbles
Jameis Winston has a typical “Jameis Winston” game: he made some big throws, he made some big mistakes, and he ultimately lost the game. The Buccaneers have been below 500 as a team since drafting Jameis, and his inconsistent play has prevented the team from achieving more. Winston’s best plays came when he was avoiding pressure (impressively to be fair) and delivering accurate strikes. He avoided a sack early to hit Chris Godwin for a nice gain. Winston also suffered from some drops by his receivers. If everything catchable was pulled in, this might have still been a win. However, Jameis made plenty of his own mistakes. I counted five passes that should have been intercepted, though only two of them stuck on the box score. The worst was a play where Jameis was well protected by his line but still overthrew Chris Godwin. I haven’t even mentioned the three fumbles. Jameis is now responsible for 12 turnovers in his last three games. Winston is a maddening QB to own, and I’d personally stay away. Just remember: he’s capable of a 300 yard/ 3 TD game any given week. However, he’s also capable of 250 yards, 2 INTs, and 2 fumbles.
Running Backs
- Ronald Jones II: 11 carries, 35 yards | 4 targets, 1 reception, 17 yards
- Peyton Barber: 10 carries, 20 yards | 3 targets, 1 reception, 8 yards
It’s pretty clear that this is still a mess of a backfield, and it’s hard to predict what will happen as the Buccaneers spiral down the drain. At 2-5, it would be nothing short of a miracle to see Tampa Bay make the playoffs this year. Personally, I think this should push them to run with Ronald Jones more. Why not see if the younger back can be your future since we know what Peyton Barber is at this point?
Ronald Jones sat the first series, but he was in on the next two. He made some impressive cuts and typically did a good job running through (or around) first contact. I think Jones could be a workhorse for someone if given the chance, but the inconsistency of this offense will make regular production difficult to count on. It feels like Jones is one big game away from a breakout, but I’ve thought that for weeks now. Who knows if it will ever come? Hold for now and keep hoping.
Peyton Barber did more of what he’s always shown me: he ran straight ahead and got what the blocking gave him. He did have one impressive run where he hit the pile, kept his feet moving, and pushed the pile forward for a few yards. Still, Barber doesn’t appear worth owning in most leagues as he’s the less-talented back in a mediocre backfield. Either back would become an RB2 if the other missed time.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
- Mike Evans: 12 targets, 11 receptions, 198 yards, 2 TD
- Chris Godwin: 8 targets, 4 receptions, 43 yards
- Cameron Brate: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 32 yards
Mike Evans was an absolute monster today, nearly pulling in every target thrown his way. It’s clear there was something to like in this matchup, and Jameis exploited it. Evans’ best catch came later in the first half. He ran past his defender, saw space open up, and came back to make the catch. He just managed to tap his feet inbounds. Evans continues to be a WR1 and hopefully, you bought in when his stock dropped. Just remember that he’s now fighting for alpha status…
Chris Godwin had 8 targets on the night and he could have had a really big day with more reliable QB play. There were at least two plays I saw where Godwin was targeted and the pass was picked off. One of them stuck while the other was overturned by review. Godwin also slipped on an early play when he had lots of room to run. Still, he made four catches including a nice one in the second half where he used his body to shield the ball from the defender. Keep on rolling with Godwin, though I’d consider selling high if you can. Only do so if you could get a WR1 or RB2 in return…that’s where most currently value Godwin.
Cameron Brate had a chance to go off with OJ Howard sitting out, but he had a mostly quiet day. He made a nice catch early for a first, but he also dropped another catch and saw a couple underthrows his way. Brate is still a decent streamer option as long as Howard is sitting out.
Speaking of OJ Howard, he has been mentioned multiple times as a potential trade option with the deadline approaching quickly. If he were to find a new team, I expect his stock to immediately jump. Obviously, this depends on who picks him up.
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
- Ryan Tannehill: 21/33, 193 yards, 3 TD, 3 sacks | 4 carries, -3 yards, 1 fumble
Ryan Tannehill put up a nice fantasy line when all was said and done, but it wasn’t a fun journey. He made some good throws early, though he missed a shot to Corey Davis. Tannehill’s best throw was an endzone fade to Tajae Sharpe for a touchdown. Tannehill fumbled the ball once and had a few interceptions that were called back thanks to penalties, including two on back-to-back plays. This offense doesn’t excite me and I won’t start anyone here except Derrick Henry. Tannehill is at best a streaming option in amazing matchups.
Running Backs
- Derrick Henry: 16 carries, 75 yards | 1 target, 1 carry, 8 yards
Derrick Henry is an interesting running back to watch. He’s not the fastest guy out there, and he’s not all that great at catching passes. Still, he has a knack for finding open space and breaking a big play or two in most games. Henry now has a 15+ yard play in six of his eight games this season and his long on the season was a 75-yard reception. That’s pretty amazing. Early in today’s game, he broke a 34-yard run while deep near his own endzone. He had another big run in the second half for 42 yards and another for 15. The 42-yarder was called back, but Henry still put up a decent day without it. It does hurt not getting in the endzone, however. Henry has a safe RB2 floor and has scored a touchdown in five games. He is also a true workhorse in this backfield, and I’m sure you know how rare that is.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
- Jonnu Smith: 7 targets, 6 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD
- Adam Humphries: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 24 yards
- Tajae Sharpe: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 18 yards, 1 TD
- A.J. Brown: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards, 1 TD
- Corey Davis: 6 targets, 2 receptions, 9 yards
Hello there Jonnu Smith–I see you. Once Delanie Walker was listed as out, the Titans had to lean on their 24-year old tight end. He came up big in a back and forth game. On Smith’s touchdown, the Tampa Bay defense was badly out of position, left with two corners to cover three receivers. Smith capitalized and caught an easy score. Smith came alive in the second half, catching most of his passes and showing strong run after the catch. Smith is an interesting option with how thin TE can be, and I would add him if you are desperate. Still, realize how sparse this offense can be before throwing him in your lineup.
Tajae Sharpe wasn’t looked at often, but he made a great touchdown catch. He ran to the corner of the endzone and created just enough separation to haul in a score.
A.J. Brown was also mostly missing today, but he hauled in a score of his own. He found plenty of space on a short route and made an open catch. Other than this, Brown was basically silent against the Bucs.
Corey Davis saw the most targets of the Titans’ wide receivers and was running well. I saw a pass he could have pulled in and a couple that were off target. Davis is averaging five targets per game and is probably the best Titans wide receiver to own–though that’s not saying much. I wouldn’t want to start any Tennessee WR if I could avoid it. Davis is the best option of the bunch though.
— Mike Miklius