Jags @ Bucs

[Vin+ 3,121]

(AP) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars are taking their lumps as they wait for their quarterbacks of the future to develop.

 

While Blake Bortles looks to finally put together two strong halves, rookie Jameis Winston hopes to regroup from arguably his roughest performance when the Buccaneers try to snap their longest home losing streak in 38 years Sunday.

 

Winston completed just 52.2 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and three interceptions in his first three games before things got worse last Sunday. He threw four picks - including one that was returned for a score - in a 37-23 home loss to Carolina.

 

Winston, who was only sacked once but hit six times, also completed 26 of 43 attempts for a season-high 287 yards and two touchdowns. The Buccaneers (1-3) won 26-19 at New Orleans on Sept. 20 in his only game without an interception.

 

"It's just decision making," he said. "That's one thing we (take) pride in here is just making good decisions and winning the turnover ratio. Obviously, last game wasn't what we expected, but I just have to get better every week."

 

Winston did a better job of finding Vincent Jackson, who finished with season highs of 10 catches and 147 yards with a touchdown. The veteran receiver had nine receptions for 145 yards and a score over the first three games.

 

Running back Doug Martin also had a big game with 106 yards and a touchdown, but Jacksonville (1-3) is fourth in the NFL with 83.0 rushing yards allowed per game. The Jaguars held Indianapolis to 60 yards and 2.5 per carry in last Sunday's 16-13 overtime road defeat.

 

Winston knows the in-state rivals will likely force him to make some plays in the passing game as the Buccaneers try to end an 11-game home losing streak that is their longest since a 13-game slide from 1976-77. Jacksonville, however, has one interception after tying for the fewest in the league with six in 2014.

 

"My job is definitely going to be to take care of the football," Winston said. "I have great players around me on this team that can make plays, so I just have to protect the football."

 

Bortles has been inconsistent in his second season. He had arguably his best half in 17 career starts last Sunday when he completed 14 of 18 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown in the opening two quarters.

 

But he couldn't lead the Jaguars to any points while connecting on 43.8 percent of his attempts in the second half and overtime. That's been a troubling trend as Bortles has the NFL's 10th-best first-half passer rating (99.7) but worst second-half mark (59.2).

 

"It's the same game plan with the same players running each play, so it's kind of hard to figure out why the lack of execution happens in the second half," he said. "But I think it all comes back to paying attention to detail and staying locked in throughout the game."

 

Julius Thomas would be a welcome addition to the passing game, but he isn't expected to make his Jaguars debut despite practicing this week for the first time since breaking his hand in the preseason. He has 24 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

 

Second-year wideout Allen Hurns, though, will try to build on his career highs of 11 receptions - including an eight-yard touchdown - and 116 yards against the Colts.

 

Jacksonville should be able to get T.J. Yeldon going in the running game. The rookie is coming off his best game as a pro with 105 yards on 22 carries last weekend.

 

Tampa Bay is tied for second in the NFL with 185.5 passing yards allowed per game but has been vulnerable against the run, ranking 30th with an average of 136.8 allowed.

 

The Jaguars, last in the AFC with 62 points, are missing a key man up front with right guard Brandon Linder going on injured reserve because of a torn labrum in his shoulder.

 

Both clubs have had trouble in the kicking game. Jacksonville rookie Jason Myers missed two chances to win last week's game in overtime, while Tampa Bay's Kyle Brindza was released after missing two field-goal attempts and an extra point. Connor Barth was brought in for his third stint with the Buccaneers earlier this week.

 

The Jaguars have won the last four meetings, including 41-14 at home in the last matchup in 2011.

 

 

 

11-straight home losses vs. 11-straight road losses.

 

WHO WINS?!

 

 

 

No one.

 

[RazorStar 4,025]

I honestly have no idea. Florida teams represent the average Floridian's intelligence these days.

 

16

9

[Milla4Prez63 678]

If Jameis can limit his turnovers like he did in the Saints game and Connor Barth can actually make some damn FGs. We can certainly win. But that's sadly a big if at the moment. The Jags have a good defense and will probably give us problems. I can see it going either way to be honest.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Never doubt the Jaguars ability to be completely inept. I'd like to think that the Jaguars should be favored here, but you just never really know. They could run roughshod over the Bucs and still find a way to lose.

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Julius Thomas (questionable, hand) will be active Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Per Schefter, Thomas won't be limited. The Florida Times-Union reported Saturday he was "still probably a week away" but apparently Thomas is good to go. Thomas caught 12 touchdown passes in Denver last year and figures to be a weekly TE1 despite Blake Bortles' inconsistency. Marcedes Lewis will move into a blocking-only role. Sunday's game presents an appealing matchup for fantasy owners as the Buccaneers have allowed eight touchdown passes in four games.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

 

 

Edited October 11, 2015 by Vin

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Julius Thomas (hand) is active for Week 5 against the Bucs.

Thomas isn't expected to be limited in his debut, but has a low-floor this week after missing the first four games and most of the preseason. He can't be trusted as more than a back-end TE1.

Inactive for Jacksonville are MLB Paul Posluszny, RB Denard Robinson, WR Marqise Lee, FS James Sample, DT Sen’Derrick Marks, DE Chris Smith, and OL Tyler Shatley.

 

 

 

 

Bucs declared LG Logan Mankins, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, C Evan Smith, QB Ryan Griffin, CB Johnthan Banks, TE Luke Stocker, and WR Russell Shepard inactive for Week 5 against the Jaguars.

Mankins didn't practice all week and could be looking at a multi-game absence. The Bucs' offensive line is dealing with multiple injuries. Kevin Pamphile will start at left guard, with Joe Hawley replacing Smith at center.

[Sparty 110]

LETS GO JAGS!!!!

[Milla4Prez63 678]

So like I said, Jameis limited his turnovers and Barth made his kicks and the Bucs got a win. Good game.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

This may have been one of the ugliest games we see all year. Two completely shit and incompetent teams fighting to see who is more shit and incompetent. Look no further than the Jags player blocking for the Bucs on a punt return. I mean, come on. It doesn't get much more worse than this shit show.

[Vin+ 3,121]

I'm gonna need the Jags to destroy the Texans next week.

 

Won't happen, because we can never destroy the Texans. But yeah. Win, please.

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

Bye, Gus.

[Milla4Prez63 678]

That was far from one of the ugliest games all year. Neither team is particularly good for sure but it wasn't a 7-3 shitfest or something. Both teams did good things, but the Bucs just played a clean game and came out with the win. This wasn't even the ugliest game I've seen this year with the Bucs, the game against the Texans was 10x worse.

[Sarge+ 3,436]

J-E-G-S JEGS! JEGS! JEGS!