RADIO
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' wide receiver, Mike Evans, will be on the field all alone this week against the New York Giants. At least, that's how it'll feel for rookie quarterback, Jameis Winston. This can be looked at two ways.
One: Lately, injuries have not been kind to the Buccaneers. Usually, in the wake of injuries, other players emerge, step up, and produce. This has not been the case in Tampa Bay. The Bucs lost promising, second year tight end, Austin Seferian-Jenkins with a shoulder injury Week 2, and despite speculation of his return against the Giants, it does not appear he is 100% yet. In Seferian-Jenkins' absence, tight ends, Brandon Myers and Luke Stocker, have combined for an embarrassing 112 yards.
Veteran wide-out, Vincent Jackson, missed last week's game against the Atlanta Falcons with a knee injury. Nursing that same injury the two weeks prior, Jackson caught the ball a measly two times on only five targets. Jackson will likely miss this week's contest as well. Wide receiver Donteea Dye is expected to have an expanded role, but has a lowly two receptions for 11 yards on the season. Mike Evans, alone, has 24 catches for 386 yards; numbers that don't necessarily wow anyone but are noticeable on a passing offense in need of some help.
Two: Even if he is double-covered, Evans can find plenty of space navigating through a Giants' secondary that has allowed the fifth most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, according to Yahoo! Sports. The Giants are also coming off of a loss to the New Orleans Saints where they allowed 52 points, 505 passing yards, and 7 touchdowns to receivers. Winston is no Drew Brees but the rookie quarterback has shown poise of late, especially with the few weapons he has to work with. He has not thrown an interception since hurling four against the Carolina Panthers Week 4. Running backs, Doug Martin and Charles Sims, have aided the Bucs' offense, with their abilities to run and catch, but have proven to be inconsistent as well.
Despite his sporadic performances, Mike Evans is a WR1. The Giants will likely defend Evans heavily, but the matchup is still favorable, one that simply cannot be ignored.
