Interception-averse Jaguars are right foe at right time for Jameis WinstonAndrew Astleford ESPN1h ago
Jameis Winston threw four interceptions against Carolina on Sunday, but the Jaguars have had trouble picking off passes. AP Photo/Phelan M. EbenhackTAMPA, Fla. -- Here are 10 things to know about the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' opponent Sunday at Raymond James Stadium:1. Jameis Winston has a chance to bounce back. The rookie quarterback threw four interceptions against Carolina in Week 4. The good news for him is that the Jaguars pose much less of a threat to pick him off. Jacksonville has just one interception this season, from linebacker Paul Posluszny in Week 1. This could serve as a momentum-building game for the Bucs against a unit that ranks 25th in the NFL in scoring defense by allowing 26.8 points per game. But if Winston has another bad day, Tampa Bay should be concerned.2. The Jaguars are experiencing kicking woes. Sound familiar? The Bucs cut rookie Kyle Brindza on Monday after the Notre Dame product went 6-for-12 on field goal attempts and 6-for-8 on extra points this season. Jacksonville rookie Jason Myers is working through problems of his own. He went 2-for-4 on field goal tries, including a missed 48-yard attempt in overtime, during the Jaguars' loss to Indianapolis in Week 4.3. Jacksonville's offense could be what Tampa Bay's defense needs. The Jaguars are scoring 15.5 points per game, the second-worst average in the NFL. The Bucs are giving up 29.3 points per game; only two teams allow more. Something has to give Sunday.4. The Bucs will face a stiff run defense -- again. Like Carolina last week, Jacksonville ranks fourth in the NFL against the run. The Jaguars have allowed 83 yards per game on the ground -- but if last week serves as a reliable indicator, the Bucs should be hopeful. Doug Martin ran for a season-high 106 yards on 20 carries with one touchdown against the Panthers. Another strong day from him should open up the offense for Winston.5. Gus Bradley has Tampa Bay ties. The Jaguars coach spent three seasons on the sideline with the Bucs from 2006-08. He was a defensive quality control assistant for the first year before becoming linebackers coach for the next two. Tampa Bay's most recent postseason appearance happened with Bradley as part of Jon Gruden's staff, when the Bucs went 9-7 in 2007 and appeared in the NFC wild-card round.6. Right guard Brandon Linder's absence will hurt the Jaguars. Jacksonville placed the second-year lineman on injured reserve Monday with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Linder has started 18 games in his career and he's considered one of the Jaguars' top linemen. A.J. Cann, a rookie from South Carolina drafted in the third round, started in Linder's place last Sunday. Expect the Bucs to try to test Cann.7. Watch Jaguars rookie T.J. Yeldon. The second-round pick enjoyed his best game of his season last week, rushing for 105 yards on 22 carries. He could produce another big number against the Bucs' suspect run defense, which ranks 30th in the league.8. Questions remain about Blake Bortles. Consistency remains an issue for the second-year quarterback. He has thrown for 996 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions this season, but he has completed just 54.5 percent of his passes. Only Houston's Ryan Mallett is worse. Chances are, the Bucs can force Bortles into difficult passing situations.9. Like the Bucs, the Jaguars know about losing all too well. Tampa Bay has produced one winning season since 2009, and Jacksonville last posted a winning campaign in 2007. Bradley is 8-28 since 2013, and Bucs coach Lovie Smith is 3-17 in a little more than a season. The Bucs have been outscored 117-72 this season, and the Jaguars have been outscored 107-62. A win Sunday would serve as a refreshing break from the norm for either of these moribund franchises.10. Tampa Bay's futility at home could end Sunday. This might be the Bucs' best chance for a while to snap their losing streak at home, which stands at 11 games. The Bucs haven't won at Raymond James Stadium since beating Buffalo in Week 14 of the 2013 season. The Bucs can't afford to lose this game and enter the bye week at 1-4.
