The Jacksonville Jaguars are on a three-game skid, and easily in win-now territory. But they play a team with just as much on the line in Week 16.
Jacksonville and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers both sit atop of their respective divisions. The Jaguars are tied with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans at 8-6, but edge both thanks to tiebreakers. The Buccaneers were tied with New Orleans Saints until Thursday night when the latter fell to 7-8.
The Jaguars and Buccaneers been trending in different directions for the past three weeks, though. In contrast to Jacksonville’s three-game losing streak, Tampa Bay has won three in a row.
Here are five Buccaneers players who could cause problems for the Jaguars in Week 16:
QB Baker Mayfield
The Bucs’ weekly performance hinges on Baker Mayfield’s play. When Mayfield is on, Tampa Bay is tough to stop, but a bad Mayfield performance often puts his team in a hole.
The former No. 1 overall pick is having one of the best seasons of his career, though. Mayfield is one of the main catalysts for the Buccaneers’ hot streak with 50 completions for 727 yards, seven touchdowns, and only one interception in Tampa Bay’s three-game win streak.
The Jaguars will need to generate pressure and force Mayfield into tough spots if they want to slow him down. With Mayfield’s variance, the Jaguars may rely on turnovers to defeat the Bucs.
WR Mike Evans
Mike Evans has been one of the most consistent receivers of this generation. Evans has registered 1,000-yard seasons in every season of his NFL career so far and has already cleared that mark this year.
Evans and Mayfield have quickly become a dangerous duo. Mayfield’s willingness to shoot for big plays and Evans’ ability to beat coverages could be tough for Jacksonville to stop, especially if cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Andre Cisco are again inactive
Evans has the potential to break a big play on any given down. If the Jaguars are short-handed, they’ll need especially strong play from safety Rayshawn Jenkins and cornerback Darious Williams.
OT Tristan Wirfs
Tristan Wirfs became a top tackle in the league essentially upon arrival. Wirfs was drafted with the 13th-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and is mainstay near the top of PFF’s offensive tackle rankings.
The Bucs’ offensive line isn’t strong as a unit, but his play has elevated the team, lifting Mayfield and running back Rachaad White to productive seasons.
Wirfs has the ability to erase Travon Walker from the game or limit Josh Allen’s ability to get to the quarterback, which could give Mayfield the opportunity to produce against the Jaguars’ defense.
DT Vita Vea
Defensive tackle Vita Vea’s impact may not be seen on the stat sheet much, but his impact is evident on the football field. Vea has 35 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, a solid line for an interior defensive lineman.
But his stats don’t show his dominance as a top-tier run stopper. Vea can plug any hole in the trenches while still providing a bit of pass-rush value.
Vea could be a lot to handle for a Jaguars interior offensive line — Ezra Cleveland, Luke Fortner and Brandon Scherff — that has struggled this season.
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
Like Evans, Vea, and Wirfs, safety Antoine Winfield Jr. became an impact for the Buccaneers in his first season and is still one of the team’s top players.
Winfield is having a career-best season with 107 total tackles, four sacks, five forced fumbles, two picks, and 11 deflected passes. He can get pressure on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence or backup C.J. Beathard, break up passes over the middle of the field, or help slow Travis Etienne Jr. and the run game.
Lawrence or Beathard may opt to throw away from Winfield, but he’s not an easy player to avoid.
