A look back at the first five games of the 2016 season.
51 LB Daryl Smith, #28 CB Vernon Hargreaves, and #54 LB Lavonte David
64 OT Kevin Pamphile, #93 DT Gerald McCoy, #3 QB Jameis Winston, and #58 LB Kwon Alexander
3 QB Jameis Winston
22 RB Doug Martin
54 LB Lavonte David
58 LB Kwon Alexander and #93 DT Gerald McCoy
13 WR Mike Evans
58 LB Kwon Alexander and #93 DT Gerald McCoy
3 QB Jameis Winston
98 DT Clinton McDonald
92 DE William Gholston
11 WR Adam Humphries
3 QB Jameis Winston
11 WR Adam Humphries
3 QB Jameis Winston
13 WR Mike Evans
11 WR Adam Humphries
34 RB Charles Sims
58 LB Kwon Alexander
32 RB Jacquizz Rodgers
84 TE Cameron Brate
54 LB Lavonte David and #93 DT Gerald McCoy
84 TE Cameron Brate and #45 TE Alan Cross
13 WR Mike Evans
34 RB Charles Sims
3 QB Jameis Winston
93 DT Gerald McCoy, #75 DT DaVonte Lambert, and #98 DT Clinton McDonald
29 DB Ryan Smith
98 DT Clinton McDonald
83 WR Vincent Jackson
3 QB Jameis Winston
13 WR Mike Evans
37 S Keith Tandy
32 RB Jacquizz Rodgers
83 WR Vincent Jackson
58 LB Kwon Alexander
58 LB Kwon Alexander and #92 DE William Gholston
32 RB Jacquizz Rodgers and #3 QB Jameis Winston
13 WR Mike Evans
30 S Bradley McDougald
1. Jameis Winston and turnovers.
During his rookie campaign, Winston struggled with interceptions early in the year but rebounded well. He threw seven picks in the Bucs' first four games, but went the next four without turning the ball over a single time. Winston had eight interceptions in his first four games this year, but wasn't intercepted in the fifth. The Bucs had a bye in Week 6, so keep an eye on Winston to potentially begin a new streak as Tampa Bay takes the field on Sunday.
**
- Rushing the passer.**
The Buccaneers were the NFL's most productive team rushing the passer during the preseason, but injuries along the defensive line have slowed the unit's progress through five games. The Bucs were without defensive ends Jacquies Smith, George Johnson and Robert Ayers, along with defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Clinton McDonald, in Week 5. As the injuries have built up, production has slowed; the Bucs' nine sacks so far are tied for the sixth-fewest in the league. After a week of rest, it wouldn't be unusual to see McCoy, McDonald and Ayers return to the lineup. If the Bucs are without all three again, the team could continue to struggle rushing the passer.
3. Leaning on the run game.
Similar to their issues rushing the passer, the Bucs' struggles running the ball have been largely due to injuries. Doug Martin, the NFL's No. 2 rusher a year ago, hasn't played a down since the start of the Bucs' Week 2 matchup with the Cardinals, and last week Charles Sims was placed on injured reserve. Through six weeks, the Buccaneers average 88.6 rushing yards per game, No. 27 in the league. Martin's sights have been set on returning after the bye. If he's back, Tampa Bay could be a completely different offense when they travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers.
