Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Three Chargers who must play big vs. Buccaneers

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

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Before each game, I will be covering three players who need to perform well to help the Chargers come out on top. The Chargers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13.

The Chargers are 5-6. Since the beginning of the season, they have been scratching their way back to .500. On Sunday, they have the chance again.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a hot team coming off three straight wins, two of them being against potential playoff teams in the Kansas Chiefs (in Arrowhead) and Seattle Seahawks. This will be no easy task for the Chargers. If they are to pull it off, these three players will need to have a day.

Nov 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward (26) in the field during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

CB Casey Hayward

Casey Hayward should be a shoo-in for the Pro-bowl this year. Hayward leads the NFL in interceptions (six) and has been one of the most successful free-agent signings of the year. Hayward has made losing a top corner in Jason Verrett to injury less painful. It’s hard to stop yourself from drifting off and thinking about how great this secondary could be when healthy. Oh well, that’s an article for another day.

Focusing back on Sunday, Hayward is going to have to be his normal great self, facing off against elite talent in Mike Evans. Evans has 10 touchdowns on the year and has already eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season. Last week, he was a big factor to the Buccaneers’ win over the Seahawks with two touchdowns on the day. Hayward will have his hands full, but he has shown to be capable of taking on big tasks.

Nov 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) passes against the Houston Texans in the second half at NRG Stadium. San Diego Chargers won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

QB Philip Rivers

This team lives and dies by the success of Philip Rivers. He is an easy pick every week. Too easy it almost feels like cheating, but this week he is needed on this list. The Chargers, if handed another loss, will drop to 5-7, leaving them with the best possible record of 9-7. That won’t get you into the playoffs this year.

Rivers knows that. He can’t afford to have a bad game for the rest of the season. Rivers will be facing off against somewhat of a nemesis in Brent Grimes, who, with the Dolphins, has four total interceptions against Rivers in the last three years. Grimes might have traded in his blue for Buccaneer red, but his yearning to intercept Rivers has likely remained. Rivers needs to go back to the days where December was some of his best football. He has done it before, and he can do it again.

Nov 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) runs with the ball as San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) chases during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. The Chargers won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

DE Joey Bosa

Joey Bosa is a rising star. There isn’t a doubt in my mind about that. This week, he will be facing another rising star in Jameis Winston. Winston is on the cusp of throwing for 3,000 yards on the season. The Buccaneers’ running game features Doug Martin, who has fought injuries and struggled running the ball when finding his way back onto the field.

This will give Bosa, and the rest of the Chargers’ defensive line, the opportunity to focus in on Winston. The Buccaneers’ offensive line is average, which will give Bosa an opportunity to feast in the backfield. Prediction: Bosa achieves three sacks on the day. Bold? You be the judge.