Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers Week 3 Winners and Losers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Buccaneers had their home opener today as they took on the Los Angeles Rams. The first half looked like the Bucs had this one under control. Then the second half happened and all hell broke loose.

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The Buccaneers need to figure out what type of team they are. Today there was a lot of back and forth but in the end the Bucs failed to walk away with the win and this one hurt. The game was delayed due to inclement weather and the Bucs stopped the Rams to get the ball back with a chance to take the lead. But with some poor clock management the Bucs failed to score as the clock expired.

Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter looks on against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Loser: Head Coach Dirk Koetter

The game doesn’t come down to one play or one drive but when you have multiple timeouts on the final drive of the game and you don’t use them, some blame is going to be directed your way. When Charles Sims got tackled in bounds with more than 30 seconds on the clock a time out should’ve been taken and then there would have been an opportunity for a few more shots at the end zone. This was a disappointing loss and late game clock management was a key reason why they didn’t walk away with the W.

Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) and middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) get pumped up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Linebacker Kwon Alexander

Kwon Alexander forced the first turnover for the Bucs in a big way. With nine minutes remaining in the first quarter Case Keenum threw it right at him and he took it to the house. Kwon finished with seven tackles and a tackle for loss. Kwon and David, as we like to say LaKwonte, managed to hold Todd Gurley to three yards per carry. Kwon is a young playmaker that the Bucs are going to love to have in the middle of the field for a long time.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Roberto Aguayo (19) reacts after he missed a field goal against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Loser: Kicker Roberto Aguayo

C’mon seriously. I thought we got through this issue. Missing kicks is a part of the game but you aren’t supposed to miss this many. His misses changed the flow of the game. At the end of the game the Bucs were down five points, points the Bucs easily could’ve gotten if their kicker made the easy ones. If Aguayo makes all of his kicks the Bucs don’t need to go for two twice and need a touchdown at the end of the game. Hey at least he’s not Kyle Brindza, oh wait he’s pretty close.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) reacts after they recovered the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Linebacker Lavonte David

My player that needed to wake up this week started off really strong. Lavonte started off with a sack, blowing right through the line. That wasn’t the only play he made. David forced a fumble on Kenny Britt leading to a Bucs’ touchdown a few plays later. As I stated earlier the Bucs held Gurley to only three yards per carry and David had a lot to do that. Lavonte seemed to wake up this week after not recording a stat last week. This will be big for the Bucs as they build for the future.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs past Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Keith Tandy (37) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Loser: Secondary

No Mr. Verner you’re not having stroke that’s just you that is burnt toast. The Los Angeles Rams hadn’t scored a touchdown all season until they got a chance to play this secondary. The Bucs’ corners and safeties kept getting burned play after play. The first drive of the game the Rams scored on a 44 yard touchdown to Brian Quick. In the fourth quarter speedy Tavon Austin was in single coverage against Keith Tandy and he just got right past him and scored a critical touchdown. It’s not like the Bucs were going against world beaters either, or even tall receivers that can go up and get it over our smaller corners. The Bucs were playing one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL and got burned.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate (84) catches the ball for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Tight End Cameron Brate

Austin who? Cameron Brate showed off why he deserved to be the starter coming off the preseason and why they could let go of Seferian-Jenkins. Cameron Brate finished with five catches and two touchdowns. The Bucs need Luke Stocker to come back because Brate isn’t the best blocker but he has shown us all that we have a reliable pass catcher at the tight end position.

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