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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

5 Buccaneers to Watch Against New Orleans

A few players to keep an eye on when the Buccaneers host the Saints in Week 14.

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  1. QB Jameis Winston**
    Winston is on pace for yet another 4,000-yard season. In fact, at the rate he's going he will finish his second season with more passing yards than any quarterback in NFL history through their first two years. Winston has been particularly successful against the Saints, earning a 95.6 passer rating, scoring three touchdowns and throwing zero interceptions in two games against New Orleans in 2015. He's set to take the field against a New Orleans defense that allows 277 passing yards per game, the second-most of any team in the league.

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  1. WR Josh Huff**
    The Bucs' receiving corps was hit with injuries in Week 13, with the team losing both Cecil Shorts and Adam Humphries for the game. Shorts has since been placed on injured reserve and Humphries' status will be determined as game time approaches. Huff, who was signed to the Bucs' practice squad on November 7th, has been called up to the active roster to fill the void. The former third-round pick's strength is his speed - he ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Keep an eye on how often Tampa Bay utilizes Huff, in addition to fellow receiver Freddie Martino.

3. DE Robert Ayers
The Saints enter Week 14 averaging more yards per game than any other team, carried by the league's No. 1 passing attack. New Orleans averages 319 passing yards per game, 10 more than any other team. Ayers has established himself as one of the Bucs' top pass-rushers, picking up 4.5 sacks this season despite missing four games. Ayers rarely comes off the field;  he'll line up as a defensive end on first and second down before moving to the inside on third down. It is essential for the Bucs to put pressure on Drew Brees in order to slow the Saints' passing attack, and Ayers will play a key role in whether or not Tampa Bay is able to accomplish that.

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  1. TE Cam Brate**
    Heading into Week 14, Brate has six touchdown receptions, tied for the most of any tight end in the league. He has been playing so well that Winston urged fans to cast their ballots to send Brate to the Pro Bowl. With injuries limiting the Bucs' receivers, Brate will likely be called upon often, particularly in the red zone.

5. P Bryan Anger
Through 12 games, Anger has been one of the top punters in the league. He has dropped 26 punts inside the 20-yard line, the sixth-most in the league, and has a net average of 42.1 yards per punt, also the sixth-most among punters. Anger is on pace for the best season of his career. He's never finished a season averaging longer than 40.8 net yards per punt and is on track for a career-high 35 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.

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