TAMPA, Fla. -- Today in "Tampa Two," we highlight a pair of players who will have key roles when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) travel to play the Washington Redskins (2-4):
Anyone in the Bucs' secondary: It's hard to pick just one player in the back end of Tampa Bay's defense. Coach Lovie Smith has made it clear that he wants better execution from his secondary after Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 303 yards and a season-high four touchdowns in Week 5. Cornerback Tim Jennings, in particular, had a forgettable afternoon in the Bucs' victory that day, when wide receiver Allen Hurns totaled 116 yards and one touchdown on five catches. Cornerback Johnthan Banks' improved health after missing the past two games with a knee injury should help the Bucs in this area. Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins has struggled of late, throwing two interceptions in each of his past two games. Tampa Bay must take advantage if Cousins is inconsistent again.
Mike Evans, wide receiver: He returns to the site where he had a career-high 209 yards receiving and two touchdowns during a Week 11 victory last year. The Bucs would love to see a similar output after his underwhelming start to the season. After being targeted a career-high 17 times in a loss to the Houston Texans in Week 3, Evans has had just 13 combined passes come his way with six catches for 73 yards in Weeks 4 and 5. A hamstring injury hampered him early in the season. But on Wednesday, offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said Evans is fine and that "we just need to get Mike started." Washington ranks eighth in the NFL against the pass, allowing 222.5 yards per game.
