A look back at Jameis Winston during the first five games of the 2016 Season.
1. Injuries have proven costly.
The Buccaneers have lost a handful of starters with injuries, but fortunately most of those players will return this season. Last week, Tampa Bay was without Doug Martin, Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald and Robert Ayers, just to name a few. Those four account for three of four starters on the defensive line and the NFL's No. 2 rusher from 2015. With Jacquies Smith on injured reserve, all four of the Bucs' starters on the defensive line from a year ago didn't play. Those players could very well return for the Bucs after the bye, though. Buc fans saw how strong this team can be when they're healthy; Tampa Bay defeated Atlanta in Week 1, becoming the only team to beat them this season.
2. Protecting the football is a priority moving forward.
Winning the turnover battle is important for every team every week, but the Buccaneers have shown exactly how crucial it can be through their first five games. Heading into their Week 5 matchup with the Panthers, the Buccaneers had the NFL's second-worst turnover ratio at -9. The team struggled offensively at times against Carolina, but earned a victory largely in part to forcing four turnovers without turning the ball over a single time themselves.
3. The Bucs' pass-catchers are stepping up.
With Doug Martin sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Bucs have asked more of their pass-catchers. Mike Evans, in particular, is having a strong season. He's picked up 32 catches for 449 yards and four touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. The Bucs' third receiver, Adam Humphries, has also been impressive, leading the team in yards after the catch with 145. Humphries has 20 catches for 216 yards, No. 2 among Buccaneers in both categories.
4. The Bucs' O-Line has been consistent.
The Buccaneers have enjoyed the luxury of having their entire offensive line in tact through five games – an offensive line that returned four of their five starters from a year ago. Continuity is important across the board, but especially along the line where five players are working so closely together towards the same goal. The group hasn't been perfect, but they have been consistent and helped lead the way for their first 100-yard rushing performance against Carolina.
A behind-the-scenes look at the Buccaneers' game against the Panthers.
58 LB Kwon Alexander and #23 S Chris Conte
Bucs vs. Panthers
Monday Night Football
Bucs vs. Panthers
Bucs fans
Bucs fans
3 QB Jameis Winston
Bucs fans
Bucs fans
Bucs fans
Bucs fans
11 WR Adam Humphries, #89 WR Russell Shepard, and #43 RB Peyton Barber
3 QB Jameis Winston
83 WR Vincent Jackson
Bucs vs. Panthers
Head Coach Dirk Koetter
28 CB Vernon Hargreaves
Head Coach Dirk Koetter
51 LB Daryl Smith, #52 LB Cameron Lynch, and #58 LB Kwon Alexander
3 QB Jameis Winston
3 QB Jameis Winston
54 LB Lavonte David
54 LB Lavonte David
Bucs vs. Panthers
58 LB Kwon Alexander
92 DE William Gholston
57 DE Noah Spence and #67 DE John Hughes
Head Coach Dirk Koetter
92 DE William Gholston and #3 QB Jameis Winston
57 DE Noah Spence and #3 QB Jameis Winston
38 CB Jude Adjei-Barimah
3 QB Jameis Winston
92 DE William Gholston
Bucs vs. Panthers
92 DE William Gholston, #75 DT DaVonte Lambert, and #97 DT Akeem Spence
97 DT Akeem Spence
89 WR Russell Shepard
Head Coach Dirk Koetter
3 QB Jameis Winston and #58 LB Kwon Alexander
30 S Bradley McDougald, #13 WR Mike Evans, Head Coach Dirk Koetter, #3 QB Jameis Winston, and #23 S Chris Conte
92 DE William Gholston and #91 DE Robert Ayers
3 QB Jameis Winston, #54 LB Lavonte David, #89 WR Russell Shepard, #92 DE William Gholston, and #83 WR Vincent Jackson
83 WR Vincent Jackson, #89 WR Russell Shepard, #92 DE William Gholston, #54 LB Lavonte David, and #3 QB Jameis Winston
83 WR Vincent Jackson, #89 WR Russell Shepard, #92 DE William Gholston, #54 LB Lavonte David, and #3 QB Jameis Winston
3 QB Jameis Winston
83 WR Vincent Jackson, #89 WR Russell Shepard, #92 DE William Gholston, and #54 LB Lavonte David
82 TE Brandon Myers, #89 WR Russell Shepard, and #29 DB Ryan Smith
9 P Bryan Anger and #19 K Roberto Aguayo
37 S Keith Tandy
53 LB Adarius Glanton and #89 WR Russell Shepard
Head Coach Dirk Koetter
23 S Chris Conte, #51 LB Daryl Smith, and #92 DE William Gholston
68 C Joe Hawley and #3 QB Jameis Winston
13 WR Mike Evans, #3 QB Jameis Winston, Head Coach Dirk Koetter, and #8 QB Mike Glennon
Head Coach Dirk Koetter
Bucs vs. Panthers
3 QB Jameis Winston
13 WR Mike Evans
13 WR Mike Evans
13 WR Mike Evans
Head Coach Dirk Koetter
30 S Bradley McDougald
75 DT DaVonte Lambert and #30 S Bradley McDougald
58 LB Kwon Alexander and #92 DE William Gholston
Head Coach Dirk Koetter, #84 TE Cameron Brate, and Tight Ends Coach Jon Embree
3 QB Jameis Winston
24 CB Brent Grimes
54 LB Lavonte David
52 LB Cameron Lynch, #58 LB Kwon Alexander, #54 LB Lavonte David, and #30 S Bradley McDougald
23 S Chris Conte, Secondary Coach Jon Hoke, and #30 S Bradley McDougald
9 P Bryan Anger and #19 K Roberto Aguayo
19 K Roberto Aguayo and #9 P Bryan Anger
3 QB Jameis Winston
19 K Roberto Aguayo
19 K Roberto Aguayo
19 K Roberto Aguayo and #22 RB Doug Martin
19 K Roberto Aguayo
30 S Bradley McDougald
32 RB Jacquizz Rodgers and Head Coach Dirk Koetter
3 QB Jameis Winston
74 G Ali Marpet
Defensive Coordinator Mike Smith and #54 LB Lavonte David
19 K Roberto Aguayo
19 K Roberto Aguayo
Head Coach Dirk Koetter
Head Coach Dirk Koetter
32 RB Jacquizz Rodgers
32 RB Jacquizz Rodgers and #3 QB Jameis Winston
Bucs vs. Panthers
Bucs vs. Panthers
97 DT Akeem Spence
