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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

5 Buccaneers to Watch vs. the Giants

Five players to keep an eye on when Tampa Bay hosts New York in Week 9.

1. QB Jameis Winston
Winston has been steadily improving since the start of the season and has been performing at a high level in his past three games. His passer rating since Week 4 is the NFL's fourth-best, a statistic helped by the fact that Winston hasn't thrown an interception since Week 4. The Giants are tied for the league-lead in interceptions with 13. For the Bucs to be successful, Winston needs to continue to protect the football.

2. DE George Johnson
Whether or not Jacquies Smith, the Bucs' leader in sacks, plays this Sunday has yet to be determined. But if he's unable to go, it will likely be Johnson taking the majority of his reps. Johnson started the team's first three games this season before losing his starting spot to William Gholston.

3. TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins
As the days go by, Seferian-Jenkins gets closer and closer to returning from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him since Week 2. Like Smith, it will be uncertain whether or not he plays until game time gets closer. If he's able to play, it will be interesting to see if he can pick up where he left off earlier this season when he was one of the Bucs' top pass-catchers.

4. S Bradley McDougald
Last week against the Falcons, McDougald had six solo tackles, tied for the most of any Buccaneer. The Bucs are set to face one of the NFL's most explosive wide receivers in Odell Beckham Jr., and McDougald will play a big part in Tampa Bay's effort to limit big passing plays over the top.

5. RB Doug Martin
Martin enters Week 9 in the thick of the race for the NFL's rushing crown. He's currently fourth with 612 yards. Martin has rushed for 100 yards or more in three of his past four games. Keep an eye on how often he carries the ball. New York is the worst team in the NFL against the pass, but much better defending the run.

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