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Bucs, Bears look to end non-playoff year on positive note
Bucs QB Jameis Winston has been above-average on third down this season but the rookie had just one completion against the Rams on third down last week and Tampa Bay is 7-for-21 (33.3 percent) the past two games. Undoubtedly, Spencer will aim to show the coaches, teammates, and fans that he can be a part of that future, starting with a good showing Sunday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium.
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The coach’s message to a young team that’s already tripled Tampa Bay’s victory total from a year ago is there’s still plenty to accomplish by finishing strong. We’ve been playing from behind and from an offensive standpoint we have to take that on ourselves.
“We’ve got to get off to a faster start”, Koetter said of Sunday’s game against the Bears.
The No. 1 overall pick in the draft has improved steadily since turning the ball over five times during a Week 4 loss to Carolina.
“His growth has been incredible on a week-to-week basis”, linebacker Lavonte David said.
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter understands how important a title would be for the line but said the team isn’t going to give Martin an excessive number of carries per game just for the title. “He’s been nothing short of what we expected”. He’s topped 3,000 yards passing for seventh time in career, throwing for 3,258 with 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions….
“Unfortunately, we’ve been on the losing side a little bit too often”. Even with some injuries, the group managed to work together and eventually play well, especially in the run game. “We’ve had three overtime games, we lost some close battles kind of in the middle of the season”, the quarterback added.
“If you let Jay Cutler get going, he’ll kill you”.
“We’re a better football team”. We’re still going to go out there and fight and try to finish 8-8. The Bucs’ first season under Smith in 2014 was disastrous, with the team posting a 2-14 record. Martin, the NFL’s second-leading rusher, is averaging 5.1 yards per carry for the season. “After a rushing title people would look and say, ‘Tampa Bay has a pretty solid offensive line.’ It would be a huge boost of confidence for next year and years to come”. “It would be awesome… a great accomplishment”, the fourth-year pro said. Bears lead series, 37-18.
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The defense has faltered while allowing 55 points in two games after yielding 67 to win three of the previous four. The Bears will miss the playoffs again, having lost three straight to slip into a tie for last in the NFC North Division. So while Martin has the honor of being named to the Pro Bowl for the first time since his rookie season, he is excited about the chance to be the NFL’s top rusher. Chicago beat Tampa Bay 21-13 last season, Smith’s first with the Bucs.