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Buccaneers Winners and Losers from Week 1

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:17 p.m. ET

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Week one for the Buccaneers has ended and they walk out of Atlanta with an excellent road win 31-24.  I’ll tell you which players played the at a high level and which still need some improvement.

Earlier today, the Buccaneers opened up the 2016 campaign with a big 31-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons.  The offense had a big afternoon, led by four passing touchdowns by their leader, Jameis Winston.  Robert Ayers showed that he was here to stay with some pressures on the defensive side, and the Bucs are off and running in 2016.

Here we present our winners and losers from the game.

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) talks with Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) after their game at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Quarterback Jameis Winston

The second year quarterback started his season with a bang.  After starting the game a little slow and throwing an interception he settled in and went on a tear in the second and third quarter. After the pick he threw four touchdowns on four of the next five drives.

With many of the passes being absolute darts, he spread the ball around too throwing all four touchdowns to four different guys.  Finishing the day with 281 yards four touchdowns and a 122.6 quarterback rating is definitely a good way to start the season for a young quarterback.

Four touchdowns is also a week one record for the Bucs’ franchise, and the rating marks the third best for a Buc in a season opener

Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jacquies Smith (56) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Loser: Defensive End Jacquies Smith

Unfortunately for the Bucs’ preseason leader in sacks he was carted off the field early in this game.  Smith, in the final year of his contract was looking to be an impact performer with his speed coming off the edge. We do not know the extent of the injury at this point but any injury that could keep him out for an extended period of time is not a good sign for the Bucs.  They need as much pass rush help as they can get and Howard Jones and rookie Noah Spence are going to have to step up in his absence.

Winner: Running Back Charles Sims

While not having the best statistical game he had one play that really changed the entire tone of the game for the Bucs.  With 14 seconds remaining in the first half Charles Sims caught a little dump off pass by Winston and he made six Atlanta defenders miss as he scampered 23 yards for one of the best touchdowns of Week 1.

Something Lovie Smith was not known for, Dirk Koetter drove it 75 yards in 1:31 to take the lead to end the half and take the lead.  The shiftiness of Sims on the play literally made me walk out of the room I was in with excitement. The Bucs have a really nice one two punch out of the backfield this season in Martin and Sims.

Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) gets the crowd pumped up against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated theCleveland Browns 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Loser: Pass Defense

The defense as a whole played pretty well.  The rush defense contained the dangerous duo of Freeman and Coleman to 42 yards on 19 carries.  The pass defense however still has some room for improvement.  The Falcons were playing catch-up a lot towards the end of the game but there were too many open targets on multiple possessions.

Ryan finished with 334 yards two touchdowns and a 70% completion rate. The Bucs were hard pressed to stop the quarterback last season and today showed they need to step up.  They face a tougher quarterback next week in Carson Palmer so they’ll have to watch some film this week.

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) celebrates a defensive stop against the Atlanta Falcons late in the game at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Gerald McCoy

Who says Gerald McCoy isn’t clutch?  McCoy came through with the biggest play of the game deflecting a Matt Ryan pass on fourth and ten to clinch the game for the Bucs.  McCoy also had a sack and two tackles for a loss.

He was proving to the Bucs fans that he’s healthy and ready to play at the All-Pro level that we know he’s capable of playing at.  McCoy will need to be a huge factor if Jacquies Smith were to miss any time.

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: Kwon Alexander

I was tempted to put Kwon in the loser category for his blunder on the Julio Jones touchdown but he played way too well on every other play for me to not make him a winner.  Making plays all over the field Kwon finished with 17 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.

Kwon should thrive in Mike Smith’s defense because  he can utilize his speed and make plays just like he did today.  Kwon still needs to work on his pass coverage because Julio was wide open when he missed the zone help.  Him and Lavonte David have a chance to be the top tackling duo in the NFL for many years to come.

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; A Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan in the stands prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Bonus Winner: NFL Fans

C’mon aren’t we all really winners today, FOOTBALL IS BACK.  The Bucs won and if this was a sign of things to come there’s a lot to look forward to.  There were many exciting games with ten games being within one possession.

The Bucs are alone in first in the NFC South with the everyone else in the division losing this week. It’s going to be a fun season with a lot to look forward to and I can’t wait until next week when the Bucs take on the Arizona Cardinals.

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