The Buccaneers find themselves in the mix for a playoff spot as Week 10 comes to a close. At 4-5, the Bucs are in second place in the NFC South, trailing the 6-4 Falcons, whom Tampa Bay defeated in Week 1. The Bucs' fourth win of the season came on Sunday, with the team downing Chicago, 36-10. That victory was Tampa Bay's first in Raymond James Stadium this season, something quarterback Jameis Winston was particularly excited about following the game.
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"It felt good, just for these fans," Winston said following the Bucs' victory. "Especially for the fans who that come out and support us week in and week out. I was so happy for them. Being able to see the other team's fans leave, basically look like they're getting escorted out of the building and our fans are still there cheering."
The Buccaneers were without two starting offensive linemen: Joe Hawley and Kevin Pamphile. Ben Gottschalk came in to replace Hawley at center while rookie Caleb Benenoch filled the void at guard. The pair had never played an NFL snap before, but each played more than 60 in the Bucs' Week 10 victory. Despite their limited experience, Winston said the group's performance was key.
"The last time I took a snap from (Gottschalk) – actually I took a snap from him a couple of times, but the last time that I really took a snap, live reps with him, was in training camp of last year. The guy came in, he didn't care about his circumstance and played. Seventy-seven, Caleb (Benenoch) came up there and played. No excuses. No talking. They just had to play.
"They proved themselves well. I credit the three guys who were up there with them. Ali Marpet, this was the most I've heard him talk during a football game since I've been here. He really stepped up. Donovan Smith had Caleb's back that whole game. 'Dot' (Demar Dotson) just was Dot. Dot is a big beast over there. That's why I was really happy for this win, how well the defense played and how the offensive line overcame adversity.''
Tampa Bay has just three home games left this season, with the team preparing to travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs this weekend. Two of those three home games are against divisional opponents, with the Bucs hosting New Orleans on December 11th and Carolina in the final week of the season on January 1st.
Each game is key, but those final three at home will be critical as the Buccaneers hope to push towards a postseason birth.
