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One-dimensional offense could sink Buccaneers vs. Broncos

Sep 29, 2016, 5:27 PM | Updated: 5:34 pm

Despite finishing with a 6-10 record, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished 2015 with the fifth-best offense in the NFL, at least in terms of total yardage. And they did so being relatively balanced, putting up 2,162 yards on the ground and 3,852 yards through the air.

But through three games of the 2016 season, the Bucs have relied heavily on the arm of quarterback Jameis Winston to the tune of 86 completions on 142 attempts (60.6 percent), eight touchdowns, six interceptions and two losses in three games.

And with running back having not participated in Wednesday nor Thursday’s practice with a hamstring injury, the pass-heavy Buccaneers could become more one-dimensional — something Mike Evans and Mark Schlereth from “Schlereth and Evans” said could set up the Denver Broncos defense for a big day in Week 4.

“This is the Jameis Winston show, and the Broncos, just looking at the prior record here, it looks like they’re going to have plenty of opportunities to have big plays perhaps made against them but also make big plays against them,” Evans said Thursday morning.

Winston in the last two games — a 37-32 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week and a 40-7 beating at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2 — threw the ball 52 and 58 times, too much to be successful even in the pass-friendly NFL, Schlereth said.

“All the rules are bent toward being successful toward throwing the ball,” Schlereth said. “But if you put it up that many times in the air, with issues in protection, with a team that can flat rush the passer, with great corners and great safeties, you may throw a couple of touchdowns but you’re going to throw three picks. Or you’re going to come close to it.”

Evans said Tampa Bay does have a threat in stud wide receiver Mike Evans (no relation), but with Martin out and the guy lining up across from him, Vincent Jackson, declining in production, the Denver defense is primed for a big day.

“There just isn’t enough around these offensive guys. And that’s just tailor made for the Broncos defense,” Evans said. “If you’re going to do anything against this Denver Broncos defense, you’ve got to be multi-dimensional, you’ve got to have multi-faceted weapons.”

Follow 104.3 The Fan digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.

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One-dimensional offense could sink Buccaneers vs. Broncos